Clear glass lamps are one of those decorative elements that interior designers return to again and again. We see them in rooms of every design style, from rustic and coastal to modern and sleek. Sometimes, the same style of lamp shows up in dramatically different interiors. So what's behind interior designers' love affair with clear glass lamps?
Clear Glass Lamps Match Everything
Clear glass blends in just about anywhere; because it's nearly colorless, it allows the room's other elements to shine. Instead of making a splash with color, a clear lamp base puts the focus on the shape and scale of the lamp itself. It adds a subtle silhouette, with interesting texture or hardware accents. And over a lifetime, a glass lamp can be used in different rooms of the home, so it's a practical choice too.
How To Use Rustic Glass Lamps:
Typically made from glass jugs or bottles, rustic glass lamps are popular in coastal and farmhouse homes. We often see them in European interiors, since old glass jugs are common and easy to find in antiques shops, flea markets, or a backyard barn. While you may associate them with country style, rustic glass lamps add a collected, eclectic touch to modern interiors.
In the room below, the large size of these glass lamps suits the scale of the space. Since the glass is clear, interior designer Kristina Crestin chose to center them behind the sofa. Here they provide plenty of light without creating a cluttered look:
Credit: Designer Kristina Crestin via House of Turquoise
Rustic glass bottle lamps are often made from vintage or antique demi-johns (large bottles used for centuries to store beer and wine). Handcrafted bottles may have bubbles and ripples in the glass, making them interesting display pieces. Since glass bottles aren't perfectly clear, they add a subtle touch of palest green, gray or blue to the room:
How To Use Modern Glass Lamps:
Modern glass table lamps are defined by their sleek, simple shapes. A glass column lamp virtually disappears in the room, so it doesn't compete with important art pieces or furnishings. In this front entry by designer Paolo Moschino, a plain glass column lamp keeps the focus on the modern painting and antique console:
Credit: Paolo Moschino
A chrome or nickel finish adds a touch of sparkle to your room:
This pyramidal glass lamp makes a minimalist statement with its angular silhouette. Tiny bubbles in the glass add a layer of texture:
With clean lines and plain silhouettes, modern glass lamps fit in to any interior design. Use a pair behind a sofa for an open, airy look. In a home office, a glass lamp keeps your desktop uncluttered. The barely-there look of glass adds a light touch to minimalist interiors. Place a glass lamp wherever you need accent lighting ' in a foyer, in front of a painting, or beside a mid-century modern sofa.
It's no wonder interior designers never tire of clear glass lamps ' they seem to fit in absolutely everywhere. They add shape and texture when needed, but they can be functional and minimalist too.