Faux stained glass is a beautiful and colorful DIY project you can create at home! Read on to see the secret material we discovered that makes it easy and completely damage-free.



Friends! This project was one that I had in my head and didn’t actually know if I’d ever get up the courage to tackle it.
I wanted to do a faux stained glass treatment on our sliding barn door in the studio forever, and was totally chicken to go for it. However, I just dove in and tried it and good news! It’s way easier than I thought it would be.
It’s such a cool way to update glass, mirrors, windows, or anything that wants a little color. Also, it’s temporary so you apartment dwellers can get in on the action too. This faux stained glass is a pretty and colorful DIY that’ll make you feel like a total professional.
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Decor Idea for Homes or Apartments
This faux stained glass doesn’t involve any paint or damage glass in any way! I wanted to find something that I could add to our existing door because I tend to change things up frequently.
As a result, I discovered this cool material for creating faux stained glass!
How Long Will It Last?
Update June 2022: The faux stained glass is still on our sliding barn door five years later, and in perfect condition! We created this initially in early 2017.
Because the material is not peeling, curling, or bubbling in any way, it still looks like the day I made it.
Frankly, I do love it but it’s lasted so long I’m almost ready for a little change!
That being said, if you’re an apartment dweller and can’t use permanent materials, then this project is also perfect for you. Whenever you decide that you’re done with it you can peel it away from the glass with zero damage.
How to Create Faux Stained Glass
Materials
- glass window, door, or mirror
- colored window film (we got ours here, ordered by the foot)
- squeegee
- spray bottle
- Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
- hard straight edge tool, like a scraper or similar
- razor blade
- paper towels
Make Time: 15 Minutes per color panel

Instructions
Note: We deviate slightly from the instructions on the site where we purchased the color window film. Trial and error led us to this method; be sure to review their instructions as well!
- Mix up your spray solution. Add one tablespoon of baby shampoo to a spray bottle and fill with water. Clean all glass surfaces completely.
- Carefully peel off the clear liner from your window film. Then spray the liner side of the film.
- Place the wet side of the film onto the glass to start creating faux stained glass. Next, slide the film into place (it’s easiest to line up at a corner if you have one).
- Spray the film again so that the squeegee will slide across the surface. Then, squeegee the film to start adhering it to the glass, working any bubbles out.
- Use your straight edge tool to press the film into the corners of your glass. Then, once it’s pressed into the corners slide the razor along the straight edge of the tool. Work the tool and the razor all the way along the edge of your glass to cut all excess film. Note: Be careful not to let the film slide around as you are squeegeeing and cutting.
- Next, spray the film again and squeegee again. Then, use the straight edge tool if needed to work any bubbles out. Take your paper towel and press outward along all edges to be sure that they are adhered. Finally, soak up excess spray solution from your faux stained glass
Our Color Choices
We used five different shades to create our stained glass effect. The colors we used were:
- 1600 – Peach
- 2400 – Amber
- 3430 – Flamingo Pink
- 5140 – Light Aqua
- 3100 – Salmon
Colorful Faux Stained Glass Brightens a Room
I am so pumped on this colorful update! Above all, it’s such a happy colorful spot in our studio. It is perfect in our bright white house with pops of color.
My goal all along has been to create a neutral canvas (which is why we did things like paint a brick fireplace white), then include fun colorful surprises like the faux stained glass around every corner.
And I’m also still so pleasantly surprised at how simple it was. Five years later it’s still holding up beautifully and looks just like the day that I made it! xoxo




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Faux Stained Glass Treatment
This faux stained glass treatment is perfect for homeowners, apartment dwellers, and anybody who loves colorful DIY.
Materials
- Solar Graphics window film
- Glass pane door
- Squeegee
- Paper towels
- Spray bottle
- Baby soap
Tools
- Scraper or straight edge tool
- Razor blade
Instructions
- Mix up your spray solution. Add one tablespoon of baby shampoo to a spray bottle and fill with water. Clean all glass surfaces completely.
- Carefully peel off the clear liner from your window film. Then spray the liner side of the film.
- Place the wet side of the film onto the glass to start creating faux stained glass. Next, slide the film into place (it's easiest to line up at a corner if you have one).
- Spray the film again so that the squeegee will slide across the surface. Then, squeegee the film to start adhering it to the glass, working any bubbles out.
- Use your straight edge tool to press the film into the corners of your glass. Then, once it's pressed into the corners slide the razor along the straight edge of the tool. Work the tool and the razor all the way along the edge of your glass to cut all excess film. Note: Be careful not to let the film slide around as you are squeegeeing and cutting.
- Next, spray the film again and squeegee again. Then, use the straight edge tool if needed to work any bubbles out. Take your paper towel and press outward along all edges to be sure that they are adhered. Finally, soak up excess spray solution from your faux stained glass
Notes
This faux stained glass doesn't involve any paint or damage glass in any way! I wanted to find something that I could add to our existing door because I tend to change things up frequently.
As a result, I discovered this cool material for creating faux stained glass!
Update June 2022: The faux stained glass is still on our sliding barn door five years later, and in perfect condition! Because the material is not peeling, curling, or bubbling in any way, it still looks like the day I made it.
Frankly, I do love it but it's lasted so long I'm almost ready for a little change.
That being said, if you're an apartment dweller and can't use permanent materials, then this project is also perfect for you. Whenever you decide that you're done with it you can peel it away from the glass with zero damage.
Love this! Love. Where did you get your door and top rail?
Hi Kwing! The door is from Home Depot and the hardware was a place we found online. We had it painted white. Here’s the link for ya! http://www.specialtydoors.com/obscure/barn-door-hardware/
Thank you. I want to put a barn door up and I love how modern this look is! I love it. Fabulous job, as usual!
Awesome! Let me know if you guys end up doing it!
This is SO great. You did an amazing job – the colours are perfect!
Thank you for the sweet words!! It was so fun to create! xo
what colors did you guys use? this is seriously PERFECTION.
Hi Erica! The colors we used were Peach, Salmon, Flamingo Pink, Light Aqua, and Amber (all from the site we linked to in the post). So glad you like it! xo
I LOVE THIS!
I have seen these door allot but never this different color glass. This is an amazing touch.
Thank you Robert!
Such a cool door. Love it! Thank you for explaining. This would be a cool entrance to my kids’ playroom.
Would this work on textured glass too or only on flat glass do you think? Looks beautiful!
Would this be easy to remove afterwards? I need something similar for a temporary project. Thanks! Looks so good!
I know I’m leaving this comment about 400 years (in internet time) after you completed this project, but I am curious to know which colors you used? I am trying to plan my own window project, and the top color you used is the one I can’t figure out.
Hey there! The colors are Salmon, Flamingo Pink, Light Aqua, Amber, and Peach.
Will definitely try this one ,thanks for sharing