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Ideas to decorate a glass wall

Rait M
9 years ago
Hi,

I am remodelling an previous office into a cozy home. The main challenge I have is what to do with the glass wall. I would not like to replace it, but still make it feel cozy. Current idea is to built a bookshelf from floor to ceiling for center part and cover the right and left part with blinds with same colour as walls. The alternative idea was to cover the whole wall with large picture printed on transparent PVC. Any more suggestions how to tacke that challenge?

Thanks for any ideas!

Comments (38)

  • PRO
    Dytecture
    9 years ago
    Take the entire glass partition down and open the 2 spaces up.
    Rait M thanked Dytecture
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    Thanks for the idea, but the living room itself is pretty spacious already and would like the other room to stay separately as home office. Of course could take it down and built a solid wall instead, but is there any way to use the current wall
  • PRO
    Next Level Interiors
    9 years ago
    Looks like you don't have windows in that room?? Make it look like a window.
    Rait M thanked Next Level Interiors
  • PRO
    Wheellok Smart Film
    9 years ago
    Have you ever considered Smart Film (Switchable Film) this gives you the option of a transparent or translucent wall at the flick of a switch. The other advantage of this film is that fact that a rear projector can turn the wall into a massive TV. Check out the links http://www.wheellok.com/Pages/default.aspx
    Rait M thanked Wheellok Smart Film
  • PRO
    Doors For Builders Inc
    9 years ago
    We personally like the wall. Floor to ceiling wood blinds might be the simplest way to go and give you privacy when needed. Best of luck!
    Rait M thanked Doors For Builders Inc
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    Thanks all! The living room actually has 2 windows and the office has one big window, so no problem with light. Smart film looks especially interesting, but not sure how expensive that would be plus whether it is available here in Europe. Anyways, will buy some normal frosted film tomorrow and give a try.

    I have made some more pictures to give an idea how the living room looks like. It used to be a residential units in the beginning, but then was converted in to an office and now I am converting it back to residential apartment. There are a lot of oak details all over the apartment, if anyone has good suggestions on interior design themes, I would highly appreciate!
  • PRO
    Wheellok Smart Film
    9 years ago
    Our smart film is $95.00 Canadian a square foot. I am willing to give a 5% discount. If interested email me at marty@wheellok.com
    Have a wonderful day.
  • PRO
    Doors For Builders Inc
    9 years ago
    @Rait M - below is the picture we found on houzz in the article about shutters name: 11 Shutters to Enhance Every Window. Good luck!
    Rait M thanked Doors For Builders Inc
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    @ Wheellok Smart Film: Thanks, but I calculated that it would take c12000 Canadian to cover the wall with Smart Film, it is a bit pricey for that fuctionality. But thanks for an idea
  • dunphy11
    9 years ago
    I had this problem once and was on a very tight budget. I bought gold and dark shades of green, blue and red acrylic paint from the craft store cost me about eight dollars total. I used a textured sponge and dabbed the different colors unto the glass first putting them on a flat tray in a random pattern of spots. The trick is to do light layers letting it dry which is very quick and not to overwork the paint. Everyone complimented the wall and when I did get more money I had planned to wash it off but instead bought clear contact paper and covered it so that it wouldn't get dusty. The glass on the opposite side looked like the glass marbles I played with as a child. For a very small sum you could be happy with your space for a long while. I have liked it so much I have done it on other pieces and even the underside of glass table tops.
    I hope this might help have a beautiful day.
    Krystaline Fox
    Rait M thanked dunphy11
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    Krystaline,

    That is a great idea, absolutely something I would not have thought about. Do you mind sharing the picture of the outcome?
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    @Krystaline: since you have had so good experience with painting on the glass, do you have any good theme in mind that would fit on this wall?
  • holidayholiday
    9 years ago
    why not actually get the glass paint from the craft store, if you love this idea, you may even get the lead light beading, should you wish to make it look authentic led light. you can purchase glass paint for around 3.95 in all colours and you would be able to desing your own look or find patterns to tape behing whilst you work....i did my bay windows, aso my dining cabinets in this ...can be purchased in coloured sheets also....very easy materials to work with vertically....and does look very amazing when done...good luck...glass covering to feature the glass is fabulous...you can theme to whatever you desire...the glass paint dries clear like glass and can be peeled off later if you wish for a different finish....
    Rait M thanked holidayholiday
  • holidayholiday
    9 years ago
    is this office....do you wish for your logo...? etching the glass is a good way too do that also.
    Rait M thanked holidayholiday
  • PRO
    Metal Fred
    9 years ago
    If the frame of the glass allows it...maybe use fabric attached with a tension rod at the top and bottom. I would choose a bold fabric to create a feature wall. The look would be much like using a bold wall paper on one wall....does that make any sense? You could then bounce the decor for the rest of the room off of it.
    Rait M thanked Metal Fred
  • PRO
    Summerhouse Style
    9 years ago
    I would add a wall of fabric panels to the living room side of the glass wall. I have used Ikea "Dignet" hanging cable attached to the ceiling and their "Ritva" fabric panels are a very nice quality for a low cost. The panels could easily be slid over to open the door to the office. Make sure to use an extra bracket to keep the cable from sagging in the middle. If you don't sew, pin the panels to the correct length and take them to your local seamstress for a hem.
    Rait M thanked Summerhouse Style
  • PRO
    Sandy G. ltd.
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago
    -- Do you want privacy for the office? If not, you might consider installing removable wall decals. Very reasonable pricing for a big impact. You could also combine designs on the 3 windows - tree>monogram>tree if you don't want to place the same image 3X across the glass panels. There are scads of decals out there to choose from.

    In order to keep the visual clean from the livingroom, you would not want to do much with the wall in the office that is opposite the decals. The decals shown below are on painted walls. Glass would be where the paint is.
    Rait M thanked Sandy G. ltd.
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    @ holidayholiday: no, it is not office. It used to be office, but now I want to convert it into a cozy home. This glass wall is the major issue to solve to get rid of office feeling
  • decoenthusiaste
    9 years ago
    Have it etched, or use window film for an etched pattern.
    Hamptons Beach House · More Info

    Doheny Estates · More Info
    Rait M thanked decoenthusiaste
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    These films look great! Doing some more brainstorming ... what do guys think about printing on the glass/transparent film. Would cover one side of the wall with a blank frosted film and the other side with some kind picture printed on film. Something along the lines below...

    Would it make the room too flashy? Would really make the solution to have some kind of ´wow´ effect in it
  • decoenthusiaste
    9 years ago
    If you'd like a little fun, go ahead with the print idea - looks like a kick in the pants! Great idea!
    Rait M thanked decoenthusiaste
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    @ decoenthusiaste: Thanks! The main challenge with print is to find image that is large enough - they said from print shop that it need at least 15000 px to look nice
  • PRO
    Delmarva Blinds & Shutters
    9 years ago
    I like the idea of frosting them,3m makes a lot of choices for window film.
    Rait M thanked Delmarva Blinds & Shutters
  • decoenthusiaste
    9 years ago
    Do they have a source for the images, or are you responsible for finding one that works?
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    @ decoenthusiaste: no, they have no source, suggested looking at shutterstock.com, but cannot find anything that large
  • dunphy11
    9 years ago
    I will gladly send you a picture. I sold all of the intricate pieces I have done including the house the glass wall was in. However I have some tables left that I kept for myself as they were my great grandmothers tables but I don't care for the plain glass. I painted these three years ago and was going for a water feel/look. These only have one coat on them and are very old tables but I wanted light to shine through. In regards to ideas I would use colors that you want to accent throughout both sides of the room to create a flow that connects them. It took very little time, I have used the stain glass paint but it is more expensive and I wouldn't recommend it for a first time piece. especially if your not an experienced painter. I did forget to mention to use a paint tape on the frame edges it would scrub off but this will save you some time if you mess up any area you can always touch up with a tiny paint brush. If you want a pattern use the tape to mark off edges and create whatever pattern suits your design. The acrylic paint is cheap and forgiving.
    I hope this helps give you some inspiration.
    Krystaline Fox
    Rait M thanked dunphy11
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    Thanks everyone for contributing, really great ideas!
  • kcar66
    9 years ago
    dunphy11....AWESOME idea, really like because you could buy a small piece of glass to play with & try first---I also know they have stained glass paint that I have used before that I think would work well.
  • Dario Cipek
    9 years ago
    What about stickers, magnets? Or you want to just remove the glass wall?
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    @ Dario: no, I don't wan't to remove the wall, I just wan't to cover it with something to make it feel less office-like
  • jimedrice
    9 years ago
    Rait M- I have this same issue in a cottage and I plan to cover the glass on the bedroom side with removable wall paper/decal and the living room side I will use the IKEA ceiling mounted wire and fabric panels Summerhouse Style mentioned. I like the picture in three panels idea too.
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    Some more brainstorming: use bookcase as room divider. Also the idea of using hanging ropes seems interesting
  • holidayholiday
    9 years ago
    hanging rope is just a nightmare to clean, children tangle in it...and basically not ideal....what is the purpose of both of the rooms? have you decided that yet? really for sound proofing of space fabric either hanging or attached is great, the decals are brill for effect however still lend to cold and heat, soond transferance....does allow for above diamensional clarity of glass for light to both areas though. Much easier to find a look when a rooms purpose is defined. have you seen the chinese guy on youtube with the 101 rooms in one area, all glass sliding...tis brilliant. check that out for room division ideas...
    Rait M thanked holidayholiday
  • PRO
    FINNE Architects
    9 years ago
    Here is a design that I made for interior glass panels at our Lake Forest project. My drawing was transferred to film, which was then applied to the glass, cost about $1200. The pattern is dense at the bottom and lighter at the top.
    Lake Forest Park Renovation · More Info
    Rait M thanked FINNE Architects
  • Laurie Tillett
    9 years ago
    I'd make that glass wall into a faux Shoji screen wall. Think firring strips, paint and semi-translucent paper. Somewhere on line I saw a DIY blog about doing this to closet walls.
    Rait M thanked Laurie Tillett
  • Rait M
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    Really great discussion! For the record, here is a great article about Shoji screen

    https://www.houzz.com/magazine/design-solution-japanese-shoji-screens-stsetivw-vs~179376
  • holidayholiday
    9 years ago
    the one I keep forgetting to sugest is of course, the light option. There is glass in U.K. not available in australia yet, however is definately there, that heats through beads within the glass...it is so fantastic changes clear to opaque at the flick of a switch, and can be coloured to suit...so I am even assuming since the remotes are available for led now that you would also be able to control from across the room. Grand Designs with Kevin of course, featured this additional feature to bedrooms on the upstairs landings of a new design home, where sustainablility and use of lighting was paramount. rather thank curtain the actual glass changed! may be this is another possibility for you...px I love shoji screens again though rice paper ...cleaning! yuk ... but they look great for a while...