Glass

Commercial desk in gold

4 artistic ways to use glass panels in hospitality design

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Breaking down the barriers between art and surface design, Sally Coulden, Founder of Red Dog Glass Design, provides shares interesting ways to utilise glass panels in hospitality spaces…

Guide to Hotel Design

Surface design and emotional responses to art continue to be a topic of conversation amongst designers, particularly in the hospitality sector. Where hotel interiors may have once focused on functionality and mass appeal, we now have the opportunity to create something more interesting, crafting intimate spaces that speak to our guests’ hearts, not just their heads.

It’s no secret that as we emerge from the pandemic, consumers are also increasingly looking for experiences and environments that nurture and nourish the soul. Here are four ways that Red Dog Glass Design will bring colour and personality to your hotel space through their decorative glass panels and splashbacks, featuring my original abstract art.

1) Reception desk glass panel

First impressions count! Set the scene and add immediate impact to your lobby area with a large installation across your reception desk. Using a piece of bespoke glass in this area creates an immediate sense of being somewhere special, subconsciously demonstrating to your guests that they are also something special. Depending on how you want your guests to feel, you can create a calming effect with monochrome tones and pastels or create energy with bold colours and forms.

Black and white glass panel on the wall of restaurant

Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design

2) Restaurant glass wall panel

Decorative glass art for walls can be used to great effect in a dining area, whether it’s your coffee shop or your fine dining restaurant. The presence of art in a restaurant is known to enrich the sensory experience of diners by adding visual stimuli to the taste sensation. A glass wall panel featuring original abstract art is visually stunning, but with the advantage of being highly durable and incredibly easy to clean.

Pantone colour of the year surface in bathroom

Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design

3) Bathroom splashbacks

Bathroom splashbacks serve many purposes, both practical and visual. Installing even a small piece of bespoke glass behind a sink can elevate a simple bathroom space into something luxurious. Red Dog Glass Design offer ready-to-install glass in a range of standard sizes and are a quick and easy way of updating a bathroom. If you’re looking to create lots of impact, consider a shower or bath splashback installation. Fully waterproof and without grout to get mouldy, a bespoke glass wall panel will make your space stand out from the competition.

Red Dog Glass coasters

Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design

4. Original abstract art coasters

The easiest way to add something a bit different to your public spaces and bedrooms is with a Red Dog Glass Design original art glass coaster. Available in 19 designs, the coasters are heatproof and washable.

Red Dog Glass Design is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Red Dog Glass Design

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.