The Old-School Glass Trend You'll See In Every Room In 2026

The life cycle of a trend includes old-school designs that will eventually be revived and folded into the current aesthetic, rendering it new again. Much like the furniture trend from the '80s that's making a comeback, stained glass is taking the home design scene by storm in 2026. But these aren't your grandmother's cathedral style windowpanes (unless you're into that sort of thing, in which case, you do you) but instead, we've taken the color and artistry of traditional stained glass and expanded it. Now we're seeing it in every room of the home (yes, including windows) but also in light fixtures, central art pieces, and room dividers. There truly is a place in every space for this stained-glass trend.

But as LL Cool J would say, don't call it a comeback. After all, it's been here for years. Over a hundred years, actually. Stained glass became popular in residential architecture in the 19th century, and even earlier than that in churches and cathedrals. The late 1800s brought the aptly named Arts and Crafts movement where stained glass became highly sought after in home design. In more modern form, we've reimagined the classic look and are no longer confined to religious imagery or even windows at all. Stained glass has evolved into other areas like artistic décor and functional furniture.

How can you incorporate this trend into your home? We're glad you asked! The sky's the limit (or in this case, under your home's roof). But we'll give you several ideas to get started. First up, the entry way. You can install a stunning stained-glass window in the front door or use window paneling to frame that space. If you have high ceilings, a hanging light fixture made of stained glass would be gorgeous. Or, alternatively, a small lamp with stained glass shade placed on a door-side table would work well. In the living room, a bordered window using hues from the room's color palette pulls the space together. If you're looking to add a touch of color and joy to your monotonous dish washing routine, try stained glass over the kitchen sink. You can also incorporate it into the pantry door.

Small reading nooks and stairwell landing spaces could benefit from a burst of stained-glass color to bring extra light and artistry into an otherwise dark or drab area. Adding a transom window can liven up any walkway and is a budget-friendly way to DIY faux stained glass that looks so real. Plus, it can be renter-friendly if you make it removable. You can even learn how to make your own stained glass art pieces, like a sun catcher or picture frame, to personalize your space. Hopefully you now have what you need to know about adding stained glass to your home and are ready to jump on this old-school comeback trend in 2026.