Glass Blocks Are the Vintage Trend We're Loving in 2025—Here's How to Use Them

Over the years, materials and aesthetics fall in and out of the design world's favor; there are few better examples of this than glass blocks. Once revered and used in architectural marvels the world over, these compact walls and barriers eventually went from en vogue to passé.

Fortunately, designers have given the style a long-overdue renaissance in recent years, incorporating glass blocks into restaurants, luxury homes, and even furniture and lighting. Here's everything you need to know about the burgeoning trend—and how it can make a difference in your home.

History

One of the most famous uses of glass block is the Maison de Verre, which was designed by Pierre Chareau and Bernard Bijvoet in the late 1920s. "It's a particularly important reference for me—its striking façade [is] made entirely of glass blocks, [and] is both industrial and poetic," says furniture and lighting designer Lee Broom.

At the time, glass blocks were thought of as purely utilitarian and were largely only used in public lavatories. Chareau and Bijvoet placed the material in an entirely different context—here, it filtered natural light during the day, and beautifully lit up at night.

Another important historical example is a building made entirely of glass block, constructed by manufacturer Owens-Illinois for the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. The innovative approach showed how glass block could be used on its own, and how it could be infused with different colors to create a beautiful, vibrant scene.

Why They Faded Away—and Why They're Back

Like so many interior design movements, as the years passed, glass block started to fall out of style.

"Everything has its moment and then quickly becomes dated or timestamped, especially if it's not done tastefully," says furniture designer Sophie Collé. "People sometimes associate them with boring or unfriendly places, like hospitals, schools, government buildings, or even dorm rooms."

So why are they reemerging in 2025? Glass blocks are more than just a pretty wall, as it turns out—in fact, they effortlessly combine beauty and function. "Their ability to diffuse light while creating texture and depth resonates with today’s desire for spaces that feel both private and light-filled," says Broom.

For younger homeowners, nostalgia may also play a role. "Our generation is very nostalgic—even for things we have not experienced .... especially in the built environment," says Collé.

In Contemporary Design

Lately, interior designers have been embracing glass blocks, incorporating them in many different contexts and taking advantage of the different textures and illumination they can provide. Last year, for example, Billy Cotton designed Bridges, a New York City restaurant infused with industrial, art deco energy—and glass block partitions.

Charlap Hyman & Herrero covered an entire bathroom in glass blocks for a project in Silver Lake, taking the material drenching trend to a whole new level. Darren Jett of Jett Projects has made glass block a signature material of sorts—in one example, in Soho, he used a circular wall of glass to enclose an elegant shower.

In 2022, Broom was inspired by the architectural glass blocks he remembered from his childhood and designed the Chant lighting collection, which directly references the Maison de Verre. "My approach was to reimagine those influences in a poetic, modern way ... echoing the forms of the past while feeling distinctly current," he says. He added a portable lamp to the collection this year, so you can take the trend with you wherever you go.

Collé recently dove back into the beloved material when she created a custom set of tables for influencer Yu Ling Wu. She embedded different glass blocks within the wooden tables, alternating between the Alpha circular style and the wavy Nubio. "I wanted the tables to be opposites of each other, despite the fact that they are inherently a pair," she adds.

She sourced them from a restaurant in Ridgewood, New York, called Arrigos, which had a few left over: "You can check out their glass block wall right in their entryway."

How to Design With Them

Collé recommends using glass blocks in bathroom and kitchen settings, as they're "sturdy and relatively easy to clean."

In her own home, she used the material as a way to filter light. "I decided to cut in my walls and install two windows featuring glass blocks," she says. "I live in a corner unit and wanted to take advantage of the incredible sunlight that floods 75 percent of my apartment." This approach lets the light flow from her bedrooms and studio into the main living space.

Broom recommends using them as dividers, partitions, and privacy screens. "[They] allow light to pass through, while adding texture and sculptural interest to a space," he says, "particularly when used in a curved formation."