From replacing traditional doors to full-on glass partition systems, interior glazing has been having a big moment over the last few years – becoming a not-so-secret weapon for forward-thinking interior designers.
Though they’re primarily functional, providing security and trapping heat, doors are an often-overlooked opportunity to display some design flair and elevate the spaces on both sides.
Why limit glazing to small windows in doors when you could replace the entire door with glass and help to brighten up the household by spreading more light?
You might worry that glass is the wrong material for doors in a busy home, but in fact, toughened glass doors offer impressive strength, safety, and style all in one.
That’s why they’ve long been used in commercial and business environments, from shops to offices – but there are many ways to incorporate glass doors into residential settings, too.
If you’re thinking about installing them in your home, but aren’t sure where you can use interior glass doors, here’s a list of places where switching to glass doors can liven up your rooms.
1) Entrances and hallways
Do you have a front porch or vestibule leading into the main living space or hallway? Even if you don’t want your front door to be fully glass, you can separate the entryway from the main home with an elegant glass door, which can help with heat retention.
Most homes will have at least one hallway with rooms branching off it. This offers a great opportunity to replace standard solid doors with glass panels, which will let light flow from each side to the other, brightening both the hallway and the room.
2) Conservatories and patios
Conservatory, sunroom, garden room – whatever you call it, many homes have extensions that provide an extra room with lots of windows to enjoy the outside view and the sunlight from above, typically opening onto a patio area or directly into the garden.
It makes sense for patio doors to be glass, but whether the room that leads to the conservatory is the kitchen or living area, these spaces can also be separated with glass doors. This helps to make each room its own, while enhancing the view from the interior.
3) Kitchens and utility rooms
Is your kitchen directly connected to your lounge area? Do you want to keep an eye on the kids while making breakfast or dinner? Dividing the rooms with a glass door will give you visibility, while keeping odours in the kitchen and TV noise in the living room.
Kitchens may also have a small utility room attached, with no windows – making a glass door ideal for letting natural light in when you’re doing the laundry.
Glass doors are also great for pantries or food cabinets, with a visible inventory kept safe from curious pets.
4) Bathrooms and wet rooms
Usually one of the smallest rooms in the house, with a small window – if any at all – bathrooms can benefit the most from durable and easy-to-clean glass doors. That includes doors for wet rooms or shower cubicles, and bathroom cabinets or linen closets.
If you have an ensuite bathroom off the master bedroom, why not introduce a sliding glass door between them to enhance the sophistication? Even if it’s only a little ‘powder room’, a minimal glass door can make it feel more spacious by increasing light levels.
5) Home offices and storage areas
Whether you use a spare bedroom as a home office or you’ve converted the space under the stairs or a corner of the living room for studying or working from home, this is another situation where installing a slim glass door can help.
Not only do glass doors look professional, but the right type of glass can also help to reduce sound transmission to keep phone conversations confidential and distractions at bay.
All while reducing eyestrain with better light diffusion and allowing you to see if any family members are waiting outside.
6) Living rooms and lounge areas
As we’ve already mentioned, glass doors between lounges and kitchens or dining areas can help to keep the transmission of sound and smells between rooms to a minimum, while creating a better line of sight and light flow through both sides.
This is ideal when you want to spread natural light from the larger windows or glass doors at the back of the house to living areas at the front, or when you want to minimise the separation between the living room and hallway or entrance area for the same reason.
7) Bedrooms and closets
Want your bedroom to feel like it belongs in a high-end property or hotel penthouse? Add a decorative glass door as its own upgraded entranceway and you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a world of luxury every day when you come home to your sanctuary.
Even more so if you elevate your walk-in closet or freestanding wardrobe with custom glass doors, displaying your clothes, shoes, and accessories like a designer boutique. This will encourage you to stay organised and help with outfit planning, too.
Do glass doors affect privacy?
Yes, they create a lavish look, but we’re sure you haven’t missed the elephant in the room – aren’t glass doors clear? Why would you want doors that you can see right through in private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms?
Not only can you customise the size and shape to fit any opening, but another fantastic factor when installing glass doors is that you can choose different types of glass for privacy.
Whether it’s tinted or frosted, you can control the amount that anyone on the other side of the door will be able to see – without sacrificing the best element of glass doors, as light can still flow through translucent or partially opaque glass.
So, no matter where you decide to install glass doors in your home, they’re sure to fulfil the needs of the space and the people using it!
