Ideas for Decorating with Colored Glass in Your Home

I’ve always LOVED colored glass. I find it beautiful and ethereal. It catches and reflects the light, it adds subtle color, and for small homes, is the perfect accent as it doesn’t take up a lot of visual weight. What do I mean by visual weight? Well a colored glass vase and a dark metal vase of the same size are going to be perceived differently by the eye. The metal vase will seem to take up more space in the room because it just seems “heavy”. Colored glass, on the other hand, allows light to pass through and for that matter, your line of vision can see through it as well. That makes it perfect for a small room, as the eye will perceive it as not completely “there”. Make sense? For the same reason designers recommend using glass tables in small homes, colored glass makes a nice, light accent. Oh yea, and it looks nice!

Decorating with Colored Glass Collage Image

Most colored glass comes in wonderful shades of green and blue, with the occasional pink. Who wouldn’t love that? Remember, like an accent it looks best in a group of odd numbered items. This could be in a grouping with other accents, but I love to mass colored glass. It just makes such an impact with the light in the room that way!

You can purchase accent pieces of colored glass inexpensively, or collect it from thrift and antique stores, or even specialty bottles. It lends itself to casual decorating styles best, but if you love cottage, coastal or shabby chic, you need to have some of this in your rooms. Check out these inspirational photos of homeowners and designers using colored glass in their decorating schemes, and use their ideas to emulate!

A Quick Note on Photo Sources

This post was originally published in 2014, and still has most of the ideas included in the original post! However, in many instances, the original publication sources for these ideas is no longer available. In some instances, blog posts have been deleted, or the url has changed. We’ve left these photos in this blog post to because we still love the inspiration, so if you see something and know the original source/link, please let us know as we’d love to credit the original creator!

DIY Colored Glassware Centerpiece Ideas

we’ve gathered a variety of colorful glass decor and decorative pieces to give you plenty of options for your space. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to decorate your home or planning for an event or wedding, I’ve got you covered! From vintage glassware to modern statement pieces, there’s something here to suit every style.

Colored Glass Vases

These glass jars by Ling’s Moment add the perfect pop of color to a rustic wood tablescape. Mix and match different jar styles and colors, then add dried flowers for a beautiful, eye-catching centerpiece. Voilà—effortless charm! This would make a great centerpiece for DIY wedding decor, too!

Wooden table display with numerous colored glasses

Colored Glass Candle Holders

Rocknrollbride shows how a few flowers, colored candles, and a mix of amber glass candleholders, jars, and cups can create a beautifully natural tablescape. Feel free to incorporate any colors that spark your interest or complement your theme!

Outdoor rustic with different styles of candles in glass candle holders

Decorative Colored Glass Bottles with Twinkle Lights

Sarah Romanowski Wedding Design proves that the perfect way to light up a tablescape is with colored glass bottles and twinkle string lights. Whether you’re looking to brighten up your backyard, patio, or create a cozy indoor space, this simple touch adds a bit of magic wherever you are.

Large different colored glass bottles filled with twinkle lights set up as the centerpiece of a table

Colored Glass on a Tray

Why choose just one when you can have them all? Arrange a variety of colored glassware and vases on a tray to create a stunning centerpiece for your table!

Clear, blue and green glass jars and vases on a tray

DIY Hanging Decorative Colored Glass Bottles

Colored glass isn’t just beautiful on tables as the centerpiece—it can also shine when elevated and hung. Check out these creative ways to transform colored glass into stunning hanging art.

Colored Glass Bottle Wind Chimes

Add a splash of color to your backyard, garden or patio with these gorgeous Wine Bottle Wind Chimes by BottlesUncorked. Be sure to explore their other pieces to find the style and colored glass that works best for you.

Different colored recycled glass wine bottles turned into wind chimes

Wine Bottle Plant Holders

What better way to repurpose a wine bottle than by turning it into a plant holder? See how Want That Wedding transforms empty bottles into beautiful decorative hanging pieces—perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces! Again, this is agreat idea for a rustic wedding, or perhaps a sunroom?!

Wine Bottles flipped upside down and converted into plant holders

Recycled Colored Glass Pendant Lights

The perfect addition above your bar, island, or kitchen table. Why get rid of empty bottles when you can transform them into a light fixture that becomes the focal point of your room? This unique and eco-friendly chandelier, created by Moonshine Lamp, not only adds charm but also a warm, inviting glow to your space.

Recycled liquor bottles turned into hanging pendant lights

Glassware Display Ideas

What makes glassware so great is that it can be used as a decorative piece in any room of the house. No matter the size or color, there’s always a perfect spot for decorative colored glass bottles or vases to go. Check out these inspiring photos by homeowners and designers to see how they can elevate different spaces, from living rooms and kitchens to outdoors and beyond!

Living Room Mantel Display

Centsational Girl takes fireplace mantel displays up a notch with a mix of glassware styles and colors. All you need are a few glass pieces, water, and plants to create a mantel that’s both elegant and eye-catching.

Clear glass bottles and vases displayed on mantle

Dining Room Side Table Display

Bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with this glass décor idea. Use colored glass to display spring buds, or fall leaves on branches—an easy yet eye-catching addition. It’s the perfect touch for an office or dining room!

Different sized glass jars filled with spring buds and branches

Kitchen Shelving Display

Glassware in the kitchen doesn’t have to be just for food or drinks—why not use it as décor too? Coastal Living shows how glass jars placed in front of bright kitchen windows can add sparkle and color without blocking the light.

Kitchen shelves displaying a variety of glass jars

Kitchen Cabinet Display

Want to show off your favorite mug or set of plates? Displaying colored glassware in an open cabinet is a great way to add color to a small space without closing it in—perfect for a cottage-style look!

Clear kitchen cabinets displaying different jars and colored glass pieces wiithin

Above the Kitchen Sink Display

Give yourself something fun to look at while washing the dishes! Using colored bottles on a high shelf in a small kitchen adds a charming pop of color.

Shelves above a kitchen sink displaying different colored glass

Inside Window Display

Add a pop of color to your windowsill with these colored glass jars. Choose your favorite color or mix and match for a playful touch. Keep it fresh by adding some flowers from your garden!

Bright different colored glass vases sitting within window

Outside Window Box Display

Decorative colored glass bottles and jars are perfect for the outdoors too. Fill window boxes with colorful glass for a charming entryway display—ideal for any holiday or occasion!

Blue and green colored glass sitting in outside window box

DIY How to Make your Own Colored Glass

Now that you’ve learned how to decorate with colored glass, it’s time to make your own! Check out the tutorial below to discover how to add your personal touch to coloring glassware.

How to Tint Your Own Colored Glass

Have a bunch of mason jars but not sure what to do with them? Momtastic’s DIY Tinted Mason Jars project is a perfect way to give them new life while adding a personal touch. This easy, budget-friendly craft is not only simple but also incredibly rewarding!

Different color tinted mason jars

It’s your Turn!

I hope you found some inspiration for decorating with colored glass! Be sure to share how it goes in the comments, and feel free to add your own decor ideas too.

For more colorful and charming DIY decor inspiration, check out our posts on Fresh & Colorful Front Door Decor and Design Ideas and Cute Country Cottage Style Decor Ideas.


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Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates is the founder of The Middle Girls, a platform dedicated to empowering women over 50 to embrace their potential and live fulfilling, purpose-driven lives. With a passion for encouraging self-awareness and self-love, Kathy writes about topics like confidence, personal growth, style, and building thriving businesses later in life. When she’s not writing, Kathy enjoys books, nature, and helping women discover their next chapter. Find freebies just for women over 50 at The Middle Girls.

Kathy Bates’ previous writing credits include:

Former home decorating expert for Lifetime TV, Galtime and Country Woman Magazine.

Her book spent time at #1 on Amazon’s Home & Garden Topseller List in 2002.

Published or featured in numerous national publications, including:

Country Sampler’s Decorating Ideas magazine, Woman’s Day magazine, HGTV, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Marketwatch, Decorating Solutions magazine, Decorating Ideas magazine, The Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Kansas City News, The Oklahoman, Akron Beacon Journal, Pensacola News Journal and The Telegraph.

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