Create an Easy Faux Stained Glass Window to Brighten Your Home

Stained glass is beautiful, there’s no doubt about it. However, finding an original piece of stained glass to fit an existing space can be quite expensive. And commissioning a piece from an artist can also be quite expensive and time consuming. An easy solution is to create your own design.

A real stained glass window is a mosaic of small colored pieces of glass soldered together. But you can created the same look with a few simple supplies from your local craft store.

You can buy a new glass picture frame, use one you have around the house or use my parent's old trick and hit your local thrift store to find a frame you like and discard the print. You could even paint a window in your home, but this is a bit trickier.

Just about any artwork can be used for a pattern. Some people might want to choose something as detailed as The Rose Windows of Notre Dame Cathedral.

But you probably want to opt for something a bit simpler, especially on your first try. There are dedicated stained glass window patterns, but a coloring book can also be an excellent pattern source.

Or you can search online images for "your favorite subject" coloring pages or stained glass pattern.

Make your own faux stained glass window to add color and style to your home. Or make some as gifts for family and friends.

Faux Stained Glass Window Supplies:

glass paint
liquid leading
glass picture frame or glass window
printed pattern
caulk (if using a glass picture frame)

Faux Stained Glass Window Instructions:

Step #1 Gather Your Supplies

The first step is to find your pattern and to choose paint colors you want in your pattern. Enlarge or reduce your pattern to fit your desired area. Gather the rest of your supplies.

Step #2 Prepare the Glass

It’s easiest if the glass you’re going to be painting is lying on a horizontal surface. If it’s hanging or upright your paint may drip. To paint an actual window in your home, remove the window from the casement if at all possible and lay it on a table where you can position the pattern underneath.

If you’re using a glass picture frame, remove the glass from the frame and place it on a flat working surface

Step #3 Set the Pattern

Place the pattern on the backside of the glass and secure it (painter's tape works very well).

Step #4 Outline Your Pattern

Trace the pattern with your liquid leading and let dry.

Step #5 Add the Color

Fill in the pattern with your glass paint and let dry.

Step #6 Hang your window

For the glass picture frame, run a bead of caulk in the groove around the backside of the frame so the glass stays in place then hang it in front of your favorite window.

Or return the window to the casement if you used an actual window.