I had a persistent problem in my living room with a glass block window on the wall. In this post I’ll show the simple, inexpensive solution I used to reduce the blinding sunlight while still allowing pleasant daylight into the room. Below is what the area looked like before.
What exactly was the issue? Take a look at the photo below: there’s a strong glare of light coming through the glass blocks behind my wall unit. In winter the glass blocks are a welcome source of warmth and daylight, but in summer the direct sun is painfully bright.
Living in Greece, the intensity of the summer sun can be extreme. With light pouring in through the glass block window, it was difficult to watch television or relax without squinting. Even with curtains drawn, the glare could be overwhelming. The pictures aren’t great, but they show how intense the light becomes.
I didn’t want a conventional curtain or blinds — they would have looked out of place against the black metal-and-wood wall unit. Instead I searched for an easy, removable solution that would diffuse the light but still complement the room. The answer came from leftover materials: a slim, flexible strip of wood trim and some fabric scraps.
I cut the fabric into lots of narrow strips — the kind of casual, uneven pieces that create a relaxed, “shabby chic” look. The material I used was likely once a tablecloth, so the strips were light and breathable, perfect for diffusing light rather than blocking it completely.
I tied the fabric strips to the wood trim in a loose, uneven pattern — no precision needed. The result is informal and airy, letting just enough daylight through to keep the room bright without harsh glare. The key was using the flexible trim: I gently bent it and wedged it into the opening of the glass block window so it stays in place without screws or permanent fixtures.
In photos the cover may not look like much, but in real life it softens and filters the incoming light so there’s no longer a painful glare. I can now sit on the couch and watch TV comfortably, and the cover is easily removed in winter when I want maximum light and warmth.
Visually, the result is a kind of deconstructed curtain — casual, slightly bohemian, and surprisingly fitting next to the black metal and wood of the wall unit. It also creates a nice backdrop for my bottles and frosted jars displayed on the shelf.
In morning light the fabric “curtain” clearly does its job: it filters daylight into a soft, comfortable glow that’s pleasant for the room but not overpowering. Photographing the effect was challenging because the space becomes dimmer and more diffuse, which is exactly the intended result.
This was a ten-minute fix that solved the glass block glare problem without expensive materials or permanent installation. It’s an economical, eco-friendly repurpose of leftover trim and fabric, and it’s fully reversible for the seasons. If you’re dealing with bright, direct sunlight from a glass block window, consider a simple, removable fabric-and-trim diffuser — it’s quick, frugal, and effective.
Tips: choose lightweight fabric so it moves slightly with air circulation, tie strips loosely for visual texture, and use a bendable trim piece sized to fit snugly into the window opening so you avoid drilling or adhesives. What would you try to soften a blinding glass block window in your home?
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