Discover 21+ creative glass cloche decorating ideas using bell jars, vintage decor, and seasonal styling to elevate your home decor year-round.
Looking for creative glass cloche decorating ideas that work for everyday home decor and every season? Decorating with glass cloches, bell jars, and glass dome cloches is a great way to turn ordinary objects into beautiful focal points and they are one of my favorite decorative accessories to use around my own home. Whether you love vintage decor, seasonal decorating, or simple collected styling, glass cloche domes are one of the most versatile decor pieces you can own.
In this post, I’m sharing 21+ of the best things to decorate a glass dome cloche, along with practical tips and creative ideas you can use year-round.
If you open the door to the closet where I organize and store extra home decor (see more about that HERE), you will see several glass cloches in different sizes. However, out in my decor, there are many more. It is entirely possible that I have a glass dome cloche “problem” but I’m not mad about it. Haha! On the other hand, I do love, use, and enjoy all of them at different times, so……
One request that I get pretty often is ideas about how to decorate a glass dome cloche. Readers love seeing the glass cloches in my decor but sometimes get stumped when they get ready to decorate their own.
Actually, I totally understand because awhile back, I asked my viewers over on Instagram to help me think of what to put under a glass cloche I was styling on the buffet for winter. Here are some of their great responses!
What do you put in a glass dome cloche for winter?
- A big pinecone and evergreen sprig
- Battery-operated pillar candle
- Faux tree
- Vintage brass deer
- Something with some sparkle!
No matter the season, I love styling and decorating with glass cloches. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of things that could be used to decorate a glass dome cloche in different seasonal decor times and also for regular, “everyday” decorating too.
Before we dive into all the fun and easy ways you can decorate with cloches, let me quickly introduce you to some of my favorite bloggers! Each month, we have a great time joining up to share our decorating ideas using thrifted, vintage, and found treasures. You won’t want to miss any of their posts!
- Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse
- Ann from Dabbling and Decorating
- Lora from Create and Ponder
and me!
At the end this blog post, you can catch a sneak peek at what each of them are sharing this month along with a clickable photo and link to each blog. I know you’ll love their decorating ideas!
How to decorate a glass cloche with seasonal decor:
- 5 Easy and Beautiful Ways to Style a Glass Cloche for Spring
- Simple Ideas to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer
- 5 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cloche for Fall
Here are some of the other ideas I have used in the past, including my favorite ways to decorate with a glass cloche for any season:
What do you display in a glass cloche?
- Faux plant
- Large battery-operated pillar candle
- Grouping of short taper candle holders and battery-operated taper candles (need a tall cloche for this one)
- Set of old vintage books
- Old sheet music, rolled and tied with pretty ribbon
- Vintage brass deer
- Small framed vintage silhouette art
- Vintage table top clock
- Mortar and pestle
- Bowl with seasonal filler
- Fairy lights
- Vintage brass swan
- Antique piano rolls
- Pretty sea shells
- Holiday item, such as Easter eggs, pumpkins, or ornaments
- Collection of old bottles or vases, group together under the cloche
- Small framed art
- Natural reindeer moss
- Faux fruit
- Freshly baked cookies or treats in the kitchen (yum!)
- Birds nest with pretty eggs
- Terra cotta pots
- Succulent
- Sea fan
21+ Best Things to Decorate a Glass Dome Cloche
5 Easy Home Decor Tips to Decorate a Glass Dome
Tip #1 to Decorate a Glass Dome Cloche: Use a candle.
What can you put in glass domes?
Glass cloches actually originated in Italy but it was the French who perfected their use for gardening. The glass dome, the French word being “cloche”, protected the plant from the cold and frost to help it mature more quickly.
Even though cloches originated with the purpose of using with plants, my favorite way to decorate with them is by using battery-operated candles. Where a small, simple battery-operated candle may look bare or plain on its own, put under a cute glass cloche, it takes on more significance and becomes a magical part of the cozy glow.
I use huge cloches all the way down to really small ones with battery-operated candles. It’s safe to say that my battery candle collection is as varied as my cloche collection and I love them all!
Here are my favorite battery-operated candles to use with glass cloches:
- These small pillar candles have a wax finish and realistic flicker
- These tea lights are perfect for a tiny cloche
- These battery-operated tapers work with a tall cloche
- This set of pillar candles has a realistic look
- This set of glass pillar candles is on a timer and has an extra cozy glow
Tip #2: Decorate a Glass Cloche Dome with a Vignette
What do you put in a decorative dome?
A glass cloche is a great way to create a vignette. One of my favorite ways to decorate with my larger glass cloches is to create a small vignette underneath. For example, a pretty mercury-glass style hurricane, a sprig of cedar greenery, and a small copper-toned house candle looked a little empty on its own. However, placed on a pretty base with large cloche over it, helped to tie it all together and it became one of my favorite winter vignettes.
This concept could be repeated over and over for different seasons:
- Spring: Faux plant, bunny statue, small bowl of egg filler
- Summer: Old book with summer title, large conch shell, miniature bottle with a white flower
- Fall: Large dried gourd, glass hurricane with battery-operated candle, small dried gourd
- Christmas: Large and small bottle brush trees, nutcracker statue, sprinkle faux snow around the base
These are just some simple ideas but hopefully they get your creative juices flowing for all of the fun little vignettes you can create to decorate under your own glass dome cloche.
Tip #3 to Decorate with a Glass Dome Cloche: Turn small decor into a statement piece.
What should I display under a cloche?
Using a cloche is the perfect way to take a small piece of decor and turn it into a statement piece. On its own, this little piece of broken coral that my daughter found at the beach would be pretty hard to decorate with. At least, it would be challenging for me to think how to use it in a significant way!
However, placed in a miniature mortar and pestle with a glass cloche over it, this little broken piece of coral is a fun part of summer decorating. I like to group small cloches with other cloches, like a collection. At the same time, a cute little cloche with a cute little seashell, tucked into a vignette on a shelf…well, you just can’t go wrong!
Think of a small item in your home that you LOVE, however, on its own it seems rather small and insignificant to anyone else. Next, think of how you could decorate with it under a cloche. Can you turn those ordinary objects into something you get to enjoy seeing everyday, rather than tucked away in a drawer or cabinet?
You can always refer to the list at the top of this post for ideas of items to display under a cloche. First, though, I challenge you to see what items you have around your home that you’d like to make more of a statement or focal point in your decor. Then, see if they could work into your decorating as you use your glass dome cloche!
Tip #4: Elevate the Style of Your Decor with a Glass Cloche
What do you put in a decorative cloche?
You can use a cloche to elevate your decor in two ways.
First of all, you can literally elevate your decor and add levels by using a base and a glass cloche. Glass cloches are a great way to feature a collection or some kind of decor where you need varied heights. For example, if you want to feature a collection of vintage table top clocks, you could put one or two under glass cloches to add some height variety.
Secondly, you can elevate your decor in a less literal sense. Let’s use the clock example again:
As well as giving height variety to your clock collection, you are also making it stand out by placing part of the clocks under glass cloches.
At the same time, something about putting an item under glass just makes it feel more special or important. It is the same idea as a piece of fascinating history in a glass case at a museum. When you decorate with a glass dome cloche, you are indicating that the items under the cloche are special in your home!
Even if you’re just placing a candle under your glass cloche, that is still special. Actually, what can be better than elevating the feeling of cozy around your home?!
Tip #5: Decorate a small glass cloche for big style.
What do you put in a small glass dome?
Hint: Small can be so super cute and can really add to the layered, curated effect in your home decorating.
Definitely watch for small glass domes and cloches at thrift stores in the clock section. Often, they’ve separated from their clock over time and you can pick them up very inexpensively.
A small glass dome or cloche is perfect to simply style over a smaller battery-operated candle (these are PERFECT and so realistic)). That’s probably my favorite way to decorate with small cloches.
However, a small glass dome or even bell jar can take a simple, little object, like a favorite sea shell from vacation, and turn it into a special part of your decor.
I like to style small glass cloches in groupings or even paired with larger cloches as a vignette.
Here is an easy vignette idea:
- Tray
- Medium-sized plant
- Small glass cloche with special object or Candle
- String of wooden beads
How easy is that?!
Don’t overlook the small glass cloches! You will find that they are so fun to use in your decorating!
Why Glass Cloches Are a Great Way to Style Home Decor
There are so many different ways to use glass cloches in home decorating, which is exactly why I’ve loved them for such a long time. Whether you’re styling a coffee table, dining table, shelf, or side accent table, glass cloche domes are a great way to create a focal point and draw the eye to special items you love.
Using glass dome cloches is a stylish way to elevate even the most ordinary objects. Something as simple as old books, beach glass, pine cones, or everyday items instantly feels more intentional when placed under a glass bell cloche. It’s truly the perfect way to turn decorative items into a statement piece and bring a touch of elegance to your home decor.
Interior designers have been using glass bell cloches and bell jar styling for a long time because they serve both decorative and practical purposes. Not only do they protect special items, but they also create the feeling that what’s underneath deserves to be the center of attention.
Bell Jar Styling: Creative Ideas for Everyday and Seasonal Decorating
A bell jar or cheese dome offers endless creative use in home decor. One of my favorite ways to decorate with a bell jar is by creating a little vignette using various items you already have around your home.
Some creative ideas include:
- A vintage book topped with conversation hearts for Valentine’s Day
- Fresh flowers or faux greenery for spring
- Boho pumpkins, pine cones, or jingle bells during the fall and holiday season
- Holiday ornaments or faux snow for winter
- Fairy lights for a cozy glow (especially beautiful under glass)
This is such a fun way to decorate seasonally while still keeping your personal style front and center.
Styling Glass Cloches with Vintage Decor and Thrifted Finds
If you love vintage decor, glass cloches are your best friend. Many of my favorite decorative pieces have come from the thrift store, yard sales, and antique shops. In fact, most of my small cloche and bell jar collection consists of thrifted finds I picked up at good prices.
Pro tip: check the clock section at the thrift store. Glass dome cloches and glass bell cloches often get separated from their original pieces, making them incredible finds. I found one just last week, and I still get excited every single time!
Using thrifted finds under glass creates a vintage vibe and allows you to highlight decorative pieces that might otherwise get overlooked.
Using a Cloche Base for Maximum Impact
One final touch that will help your whole vignette to have a more finished look is to style your vignette on a base and then put the cloche over the top.
I use a variety of items as bases under my cloches, such as architectural salvage, large old books, antique bread boards, baskets, and trays.
One of the most important steps when decorating with glass cloches is paying attention to the cloche base. Styling your decor on the base of the cloche instantly grounds the display and gives it a finished look.
Some of my favorite cloche base ideas include:
- Old bread boards
- Architectural salvage
- Vintage books
- Wooden trays or risers
This simple step helps turn decorative pieces into a true focal point and makes the cloche feel intentional rather than random.
Different Sizes, Various Styles, Endless Possibilities
Glass cloches come in different sizes, various sizes, and various styles, which makes them incredibly versatile. Mixing small cloches with taller glass dome cloches adds visual interest and allows you to layer decor in a new way.
A small cloche is perfect for showcasing special items, while larger glass cloche domes work beautifully as statement pieces. Mixing different colors of decor underneath helps reflect your decor style and personal touches.
People Also Ask: Glass Cloche Decorating FAQs
What do you put inside a glass cloche?
You can display a wide variety of decorative items inside a glass cloche, depending on your decor style and the season. Popular choices include battery-operated candles, faux greenery, pine cones, old books, vintage decor, fairy lights, fresh flowers, beach glass, and small decorative pieces. Glass cloches are a great way to turn everyday items into a focal point in your home decor.
How do you decorate a glass cloche for everyday use?
For everyday decorating, keep glass cloche decor simple and timeless. A small cloche over a candle, a vintage book, or a few decorative items on a cloche base is the perfect way to add a touch of elegance without overwhelming the space. Mixing various sizes and styles of glass cloches works beautifully on a coffee table, shelf, or dining table.
What is a bell jar used for in home decor?
A bell jar, also called a glass bell cloche or glass dome cloche, is commonly used in home decor to highlight special items and create a stylish display. Bell jars are a creative way to showcase ordinary objects, thrifted finds, seasonal decorations, or vintage decor while keeping them protected and visually elevated.
Are glass cloches still in style?
Yes, glass cloches are very much in style and have been used by interior designers for a long time. Their versatility, timeless look, and practical purposes make them a favorite decorating tool. Glass cloches work with many decor styles, including farmhouse, vintage, traditional, and modern home decor.
Where is the best place to buy glass cloches?
Some of the best places to find glass cloches are thrift stores, antique shops, and yard sales, where you can often find unique pieces at good prices. You can also find glass dome cloches, bell jars, and glass bell cloches online in various sizes and styles. Thrifted finds often add extra character and a vintage vibe to your decor.
I have so many glass cloches and to be honest, most of them have come from thrift stores or yard sales. My larger cloches were special finds at vintage shops and antique markets, However, I think all of my smaller cloches have been thrifted.
I will link some beautiful glass dome cloches online for you. At the same time, keep an eye out at thrift stores and yard sales too. Recently, I picked up a beautiful large one at a thrift store for only $8!
Pro Tip: Look in the clock section at the thrift store. Sometimes the glass domes are mixed in there. Also, you may find an inexpensive old clock with the glass dome. You can return the clock part to the thrift store if you don’t want it and use the glass dome in your home decor!
Check out these 15+ gorgeous glass cloches:
- This extra large one is an investment but it is gorgeous!!!
- Try this tall 14.5″ glass dome with battery taper candles.
- This large cloche has a beautiful wooden base too.
- I love the glass knob on this 10″ bell jar cloche.
- Slender style works beautifully into a vignette.
- Group this set of three for a collection or spread them throughout your home.
- You can display a lot in this 17″ tall, extra large glass dome cloche!
- The width and style of this bell jar cloche makes it perfect for decorating, even though it’s an investment piece.
- Huge cloches are my favorite!
- I love the wooden base and style of this set.
- This base is STUNNING and so is the extra tall cloche!
- The scalloped wood base is so pretty on this one; so perfect to decorate with!
- These wicker garden cloches are HUGE and amazing! They look like antiques!
- This simple glass cloche and base are perfect for easy styling.
- This smaller bell jar cloche is perfect for a candle or little succulent!
How do you decorate a glass cloche for different seasons?
Glass cloches are a fun way to decorate for seasonal decorating throughout the year. In spring, use fresh flowers or faux greenery. In summer, try shells or beach glass. For fall, pine cones or boho pumpkins work beautifully. During the holiday season, decorate with holiday ornaments, faux snow, jingle bells, or small seasonal decor pieces.
How do you use a cloche indoors?
Even though glass cloches originated for outdoor use in gardening, they have become a wonderful trend for interior home decorating. Obviously, I absolutely love using mine. I use glass cloches year round and for every holiday. There are so many pretty ways to style and decorate with glass dome cloches, no matter the season.
When all else fails, here are my go-to items to use under a cloche indoors:
Now it’s time to check out some of my favorite blogger friends as they share their favorite thrifting advice!
Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse
Ann from Dabbling and Decorating
Lora from Create and Ponder
Final Thoughts on Glass Cloches in Home Decor
At the end of this post, I hope you feel inspired to see glass cloches not just as decorative pieces, but as a creative way to highlight favorite things, special items, and everyday objects in your home.
Whether you’re decorating for seasonal decorations, refreshing your decor style, or simply trying something new, glass cloches offer great ideas for adding beauty, meaning, and personality to your spaces.
If you’ve been collecting bell jars, vintage pieces, or glass dome cloches for years—or just picked one up at a yard sale last year—this might be the new way you use them going forward.
I hope this post has given you some great ideas and sparked some creative ways for you to decorate with a glass dome cloche in your own home!
I’d love to hear in the blog comments…what do you like to put under your glass cloche if you have one? Or, who is inspired to hunt for a glass cloche now?!
You may also enjoy these decorating posts:
- 5 Easy and Beautiful Ways to Style a Glass Cloche for Spring
- 5 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cloche for Fall
- How to Decorate a Beautiful Coffee Table in 4 Easy Steps
- Gallery Wall Styling in 3 Easy and Simple Ways
- 27 Easy Ways to Use Old Vintage Books in Home Decor
