Glass sculptures are becoming more popular than ever, often selected to decorate homes, offices, and public spaces. A glass sculpture can be a statement piece, adding an accent to any space and creating visual intrigue while making any space look more elegant. Their ability to reflect natural light can also create a beautiful effect in the room, especially when a colored glass sculpture is used.
That said, glass art can be tricky to place, as it shines under a spotlight (quite literally). Whether you plan on harnessing natural or artificial light, this article will give you a few tips on how to place glass sculptures in your home or office for the best visual impact.
Properties of Glass Sculptures
The beauty of glass art, especially when it comes to hand-crafted pieces such as sculptures, is that each one is a unique creation. According to recent market research, the growth of the art glass market between 2023 and 2030 is expected to reach 7.5%. However, once you purchase a beautiful sculpture, be at an animal, clown, plant, or an abstract form, the question arises of where the best placement for it would be. Understanding their base properties is important to solve this. Let’s go over the main considerations.
1.Glass Pieces Need Light
As mentioned, the “job” of art glass is to reflect light. This means that for a glass sculpture to shine, it must be placed in a room that gets a lot of light. This makes the item look more transparent while reflecting colors around the room. So, placing the piece in a poorly lit place won’t show off its best characteristics.
2.Glass Sculptures Can Be Heavy
Some pieces of art glass are small and light and need a spot where they would be noticed and appreciated. Others can be heavy, even if they look small. Large centerpieces need solid footing that won’t break under their weight while requiring careful installation. In general, the bigger they are, the more attention needs to be paid to placing them to avoid any damage to the piece and the surroundings, as well as potential trauma to a person handling the piece.
3.Right Art Glass Pieces Add Dimension
Glass sculptures can add extra depth to the room as they draw a lot of attention. Because of this, they can give the optical illusion of space, depending on how you place them. For example, putting a tall sculpture onto a round table in the middle of a roomy hallway can make the area look cozy and break up the large space.
Putting a small accent table close to a window in a bedroom with a glass sculpture on it can instantly make the room design more sophisticated and shift the focus of the room from the bed to an interesting art object. Keep in mind, art glass is meant to work together with your décor, not hog everything around. Strike a balance if you want it to look harmonious.
Good Places for Glass Sculptures
If you have a glass sculpture that you want to display, you’ll be pleased to know that these pieces are versatile. Pick a sculpture that fits the mood of the room and supports the overall theme and color palette. If the room is in the shades of blue and has a cool sea vibe, consider placing a glass sailboat on a a side table next to a sofa or the bed. Or, if the room is bright and the vibe is more fitting to modern art, pick an abstract sculpture in matching colors and set it on a console table or a shelf.
Whatever glassware you choose to display, with the previously mentioned properties in mind, remember to place these objects in a way that helps them shine without overtaking the space. These options often work well for displaying glassware:
1.On a Table ar a Shelf
If the sculptures are on the smaller side, some of the best places to put them are on shelves and accent tables. Maybe you have a coffee table that gets plenty of light, or your bookshelf looks like it could use some sparkle. Placing glass items there could add a decorative element while hanging on to the functionality part. Plus, if you have other objects nearby, such as books or plants, they can create a nice contrast and balance your design.
2.On a Windowsill or Near a Window
Artificial light can bring a glass sculpture to life, but the best kind is natural sunshine. You should try putting glass objects near a window, to let the light go through the glass. Even if the window is on the side of your house that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, you can still place the sculpture on it. This way, it can bring more light into the room, as the sculpture will act as a magnifier.
3.Near a Mirror
If you can’t put the sculpture near a window, try putting it at an angle with a mirror. The mirror will catch light from the window and send it straight to the glass sculpture, lighting it up. This placement is particularly good for apartment rooms that are pretty small and could use the visual effect. With all the light, the space should feel bigger and airy.
4.On a Pedestal
Big sculptures deserve a throne to sit on, or well, a pedestal. If the item is large and standalone, a pedestal can make it look even fancier, especially if the area lacks a focal point. Plus, a pedestal offers extra security and stability, making it a convenient option if you have a heavier piece.
5.In an Alcove
If you have an alcove or a corner of a room that gets enough light or has its own artificial light, consider putting the glass sculpture there. It doesn’t matter if the light comes from outside or some artificial source, as long as it hits the area where the sculpture will stand. Think about museum exhibits, where many pieces are used to frame a room – you can do that with your house, too.
6.Under a Skylight
If you have a skylight in your home, you can take the opportunity to use it as a light source for your glass art. This type of placement works best with a larger statement piece, but smaller ones on an accent ofr coffee table could also work. The light coming down from the skylight can hit the piece of art at different angles, the lights “dancing” in the room as the sun shifts. Summer light that’s too harsh might not work well for your sculptures, but if you put one there during fall or wintertime, it can illuminate the room nicely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Art glass sculptures are versatile enough to let you put them almost anywhere. That said, with the keyword here being “almost,” glass enthusiasts should also know what not to do. Here are some errors to avoid which can reduce the impact of a glass piece in accentuating your space.
1.Over-Lighting or Under-Lighting
It’s important to find the right balance when determining where the light will fall on your glass sculpture. Perhaps you are using the natural light from a window or putting some artificial LED light around the piece. Regardless, too much light can cause a glare, whereas too little can make the piece less noticeable.
Consider using soft layers of ambient and natural light that come from different directions. For evenings, you can use adjustable spotlights or even diffused LED lighting to get that “just right” effect.
2.Putting It Under Harsh Sunlight
We know that sunlight makes a glass sculpture come to life, but too much of it can be damaging. Prolonged exposure to strong UV light may cause the colors of some glass pieces to fade and weaken the item’s structure. With time, the glass can expand or go through stress fractures, breaking much faster.
If you don’t have any other spot to put the glass art in except for the window, try making it so the light doesn’t fall directly on it. An idea would be to use UV filtering film, which keeps the harshness out while letting the light in. Sheer curtains can also help because while they don’t stop the light from entering the room, they can dim the light slightly and create a barrier between the sun and your piece.
3.Ignoring the Background
Glass sculptures are meant to be the focal point of an area and putting them against the wrong background can make things look tacky. It is important to choose the right colors that will create the desired mood in your home, and it is just as important to figure out the best way your glass sculpture will fit the mood in your room. If the background has busy textures or colors, it takes away the attention from the sculpture itself, causing it to fade into the décor.
A better idea is to place the object against a soft-toned or neutral-colored background that is free of any patterns. This makes the sculpture look classy and lets the light play on that “canvas” much better.
Ready to Display Your Glass Sculpture?
Now, armed with this advice, you can finally go ahead and find the right place for that sculpture you bought but haven’t figured out where to put. The tips we shared on how to place a glass sculpture creatively in your home will show off your art glass collectibles in the best light. After all, they are works of art, so they need to be placed in a spot where they can be noticed and appreciated while adding just the right accent to the interior design. Feel free to play with different placements in your home but do it with our tips in mind.
