At a Glance:
Design Styles that Love Glass Finishes
How to Style a Glass Coffee Table
How to Maintain and Care for Your Glass Coffee Table
Top 7 Chic Glass Coffee Table Picks
A glass coffee table is sure to add a chic touch of sophistication to your living room. No matter what your favorite design style is, glass is a timeless finish that can shapeshift to fit your needs. Glass coffee tables are available in many shapes and sizes, and you can find coffee tables that combine multiple finishes for a unique look. A fully glass coffee table can look so different from a coffee table made of wood, metal, and glass. In our lineup, there’s sure to be one that appeals to you and fits your favorite living room design style.
In this article, we’ll talk about the design styles that love glass finishes, how to style a glass coffee table, and how to maintain and care for one. Then, we’ll highlight 7 of our favorite modern, traditional, and glam glass coffee tables from Walker Furniture and share ways to save on your favorite glass coffee table.
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See Living Room TablesDesign Styles that Love Glass Finishes
Glass is a versatile finish that is not exclusive to a specific design style. In fact, very different design styles can utilize glass, but they do so in different ways. For example, eclectic and maximalist designs are known for lots of detail, color, and boldness while modern minimalism is all about simplicity and clean lines. While these styles seem like polar opposites, both of them may utilize glass finishes throughout a room.
The difference lies in the application. With a glass coffee table, the top of the table may be glass, but the material and shape of the base of the table will be the defining feature. A solid wood base with carved details may have a glass top, but it still reads very traditional. Mirrored pieces of glass add a glamorous touch while a simple glass topped coffee table with a straight-lined frame would be at home in a modern or contemporary design.
Some design styles are known for incorporating glass, while others aren’t. For example, glass is not typically associated with farmhouse design. It is a hallmark of chic, glam, and modern design and can often be found in eclectic and contemporary spaces.
How to Style a Glass Coffee Table
As you browse glass coffee tables, you might be asking yourself, where will it fit in your room? What shape should you choose? There are a number of factors to consider when styling a glass coffee table, including size, shape, and accessories.
➤ Size: You can choose a large or small table, depending on the size of your living room. A more spacious living room can handle a more substantial table.
➤ Shape: In terms of shape, you can choose a round, rectangular, or square glass coffee table. There are also more sculptural pieces that deviate from traditional shapes. These are great for modern and eclectic living room designs.
➤ Accessories: There are endless options for styling out your coffee table with accessories. Once you’ve chosen a design style for your living room, think through how your chosen accessories can reflect that style.
When choosing your coffee table size, shape, and accessories, first think about the ideal layout of your space. Then, look to your favorite design style for decorating cues. Modern design features minimal accessories. A more organic modern design may feature a vase with fresh or silk flowers, or perhaps a textured wooden or woven bowl. Glam living rooms might feature a mirrored tray or crystal vase. Eclectic design opens the door to a whole world of accessories, literally. Eclectic designs are often globally-inspired, cultivating a collection of interesting pieces from different cultures. A more traditional design might opt for accessories like a coffee table book, candle, or simple tray.
How to Maintain and Care for Your Glass Coffee Table
If there’s one downside to a glass coffee table, it is its tendency to show smudges and fingerprints. But don’t let that stop you. Maintaining and caring for your glass coffee table is actually fairly straightforward.
- Protect Your Surface: Use coasters, please! This is your first line of defense. Then, when you do see a spot, use gentle motions and products. Don’t bear down too hard or use any abrasive material, like a sponge-back.
- Dust It: Before you clean off smudges, be sure to dust your glass coffee table.
- Keep It Clean: To handle the inevitable smudges, simply wipe down your glass coffee table with water, a microfiber cloth, and (optionally) glass cleaner when you see a spot. White vinegar and water combined is another great option for keeping your glass sparkling and squeaky clean.
Top 7 Chic Glass Coffee Table Picks
Next, let's discuss some of our top glass coffee tables in three design styles, modern, traditional, and glam!
Modern Glass Coffee Tables
As you’ll see in this lineup, modern glass coffee tables can embrace geometric interest whether that’s with all right angles or a unique sculptural shape. Combining glass, metal, and wood gives off an industrial vibe that’s familiar to modern design.
Julius Cocktail Table
Shop the Julius Cocktail Table
The Julius Cocktail Table combines oak veneer with glass and metal to create a unique two-tiered wood, glass, and metal coffee table. Sculptures don’t have to be abstract and curved, and this modern glass coffee table proves that. The combination of the three materials and the way the metal pillars allow the glass to almost hover adds plenty of visual interest to make this a standout piece of living room furniture. It is perfect for a modern, contemporary, or industrial space. It could also be softened and incorporated into an eclectic design when paired with bright colors, bold patterns, and varying textures.
Beachy End Table
The Beachy End Table simplifies the look of the previous table for a more minimalist vibe. They are very similar, but this wood and glass coffee table is a quieter option. It’s more of a crowd-pleaser that could fit in a broader range of living rooms. This square glass coffee table would certainly be at home in a modern or contemporary space, but it could also easily blend into a coastal or eclectic design.
Bermuda Cocktail Table
Shop the Bermuda Cocktail Table
The Bermuda Cocktail Table is a piece of art in itself. The sculptural look of this round glass coffee table is sure to draw people’s attention. It would be perfect for an ultra-modern or contemporary space with a pared-down color palette. We recommend styling it with very few accessories so that the shape is as visible as possible. In addition to its unique shape, this coffee table is a bit smaller in size, so it is well-suited for smaller living rooms.
Traditional Glass Coffee Table
Glass is a timeless, classic choice that finds a place in traditional design as well. In contrast to modern design’s geometric lines, traditional living rooms will feature ornate carved and curved details. Traditional pieces often feature classic finishes like glass and dark wood, which are durable finishes that stand the test of time.
Francine Cocktail Table
Shop the Francine Cocktail Table
The Francine Cocktail Table is an elegant glass top coffee table with a sturdy wood base. This piece layers on the details with a glass top, curved wood frame around the top, and beveled base. Then there are intricate, scrolling metal pieces on each corner to connect the top and base, and a center tray hovering in between the two layers. There are multiple options for storage and accessorizing. We love the combination of glossy wood, sparkling glass, and curving metal.
Chic & Glam Glass Coffee Tables
Glass is a hallmark of glam and chic designs. Especially when you pair the glass with gold or mirrored elements, it is undeniably luxurious. Round and rectangular shapes are both on the table, so to speak, when it comes to glam coffee tables because glam style embraces curving lines and structured right angles.
Hawn Cocktail Table
The Hawn Cocktail Table features an elevated look with its gold base. We love the geometric lines and smooth top of this gold glass coffee table. You can dress it up with glam accessories and pair it with other finishes throughout the room such as fur, silk, velvet, and metal. If glam is all about high contrast and eye-catching drama, this coffee table certainly delivers.
Pearla Cocktail Table
Shop the Pearla Cocktail Table
The Pearla Cocktail Table is a unique and quintessentially glam piece with its mirrored finish and combination of straight and round details. This piece looks straight out of a glam dressing room or posh hotel, and it can take your living room design to the next level. We love how the mirrored finish bounces light around the room and accentuates whatever accessories you choose to style it with.
Majesty Cocktail Table
Shop the Majesty Cocktail Table
The Majesty Cocktail Table is a Hollywood regency-inspired glam coffee table. Glass, mirrored glass, and an acrylic crystal base are over the top in the best possible way. If you’ve been looking for a unique and contemporary coffee table, you’ve found it.
FAQ
How do I protect my glass top coffee table?
To protect your glass top coffee table, you can use coasters or placemats to prevent scratches from dishes or glasses, avoid placing heavy objects directly on the table, and clean it regularly with a gentle glass cleaner.
Are glass coffee tables durable?
Glass coffee tables can be durable, depending on their construction and the type of glass used. Tempered glass, for example, is more resistant to breakage than regular glass.
What are the disadvantages of glass furniture?
Some disadvantages of glass furniture include the potential for breakage if mishandled or exposed to significant force, the need for regular cleaning to maintain its appearance, and the visibility of fingerprints and smudges.
What not to put on a glass table?
It is best not to put hot items directly on a glass table as it may cause thermal shock and lead to cracks or breakage. Avoid placing heavy objects or sharp-edged items that could potentially scratch or damage the glass surface.
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Walker Furniture and Mattress has been providing incredible customer service and top furniture expertise to the Las Vegas area for over 67 years. This locally owned furniture store had humble beginnings as mattress builders in the Chicago area since the 1900’s which blossomed into a booming legacy of selling furniture and mattresses. In 1973, Deanne and Oscar Alterwitz purchased Walker Furniture from its original owners, Ruth and George Walker.
Walker Furniture helps Las Vegas and Henderson homeowners and renters find the best living room, dining, and bedroom furniture selections to complete their homes. Complete with mattresses and patio or home office furniture, they invite you to see all that Walker Furniture has to offer you!
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Stop by any of the 3 Las Vegas furniture locations or our Henderson, NV furniture store to see what a difference buying locally with an experienced staff can make. Or shop coffee tables online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the right coffee table for your living room — whether you call us at 702-384-9300, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
Learn more: 4 Unique Coffee Table Ideas