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When an interior design trend starts gaining momentum, it immediately catches our attention. From fresh color palettes and standout materials to distinctive furniture silhouettes, we're fascinated by how today's interiors continue to draw inspiration from the past. One classic feature making a strong comeback is fluted glass, a decorative material that has been used for more than 100 years. Characterized by its vertical ridges, fluted glass gently filters light while providing a subtle layer of privacy.
Below, we're highlighting the creative ways designers are incorporating fluted glass into modern interiors. If you're thinking about adding this timeless detail to your own home, you'll find it's more accessible than you might expect. Read on for inspiration and ideas.
Adding Texture and Depth
Fluted glass adds such an unexpected yet elegant contrast to furniture. Here, Linda Hayslett, the mastermind behind the effortlessly cool Serena & Lily stores, swapped regular wood cabinet doors for fluted glass ones.
"It's such a smart way to add texture and depth without closing things off. In this bar, it softens the look of the cabinet doors, so bottles and barware are hinted at but not fully on display," she says. "I love using it in spots like this because it gives a little movement to the glass, almost like a ripple effect, and instantly elevates a storage piece into a design moment."
Obscuring Storage
Fluted glass adds a romantic touch to wherever it's placed. Designer Claire Staszak feels the same way, saying, "I love using fluted or reeded glass in a cabinet panel to create movement, bounce light around, and give a touch of a vintage or historic aesthetic. While you do still need to keep a neat interior, it does hide clutter a bit better than clear glass."
We have to agree; we wouldn't recommend using fluted glass for the doors on your junk cabinet. If there's a big mess in there, you'll know it without opening the doors.
Softening the Ambiance
Aesthetics aside, fluted glass is a great way to soften the light in a space because it scatters and refracts it. So, it's ideal for areas where you want a moodier glow instead of focused task lighting. Here, in a historic home in Texas, Julie Bradshaw and her team used white fluted glass for that exact reason.
"With so many charming details throughout the space, we intended to preserve the home's rich architectural heritage while introducing subtle contemporary layers," she says. "The refined lines and texture of fluted glass offered the perfect bridge between eras—echoing the rhythm of classical millwork while providing a light, modern counterpoint to the room’s more traditional elements."
Creating a Warm and Cozy Mood
Opting for lighting that diffuses light rather than sharpens it is great in spaces where you don't need to pay super close attention to anything. While we wouldn't recommend using fluted fixtures in your home office, we're all for them in, say, the dining room.
Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May, adds, "These fluted glass shades create a warm, dappled glow that makes our open-plan dining room feel cozier. In rustic spaces like this, the wooden paneling and reclaimed tiles are balanced by the delicacy of the glass pendants, generating a softer ambiance."
Contrasting With Other Materials
Kitchens—big or small—tend to focus more on functionality than a diverse portfolio of materials, which is why wood is such a key element of so many kitchens. There's not a lot of opportunity to create dimension with so much of the same material, which is why Ome Dezin added some other textures in this kitchen, which is equal parts wood and fluted glass.
"We love using fluted glass in kitchen cabinetry because it introduces depth and texture without overwhelming the space," says Joelle Kutner. "The ribbed surface allows us to strike the perfect balance between beauty and practicality."
