Luxury dining tables, because of their size and striking design can often be a defining feature of a home. High-end brands recognise this and have elevated the simple table into extraordinary pieces of design with timeless elegance, quality craftsmanship and innovative use of different materials.

Glass dining tables have introduced a new dimension to the construction of what is traditionally a bulky and prominent piece of furniture, by bringing light, brightness and visual openness to luxury dining rooms.

Glass is naturally delicate and sleek with a small visual footprint, making it very popular in minimalist design. Even though the material seems fragile, modern treatments render these items very durable and able to withstand prolonged use. Glass-top tables offer an unparalleled ability to blend traditional hospitality with contemporary elegance, making them ideal as a statement piece in high-end homes that want to project timeless sophistication.

Stunning glossy round glass dining table with a stylish lacquered metal base, paired with elegant white leather chairs.

Pros and Cons of Glass Tables

For over 50 years people all over the world have fallen in love with glass dining tables because of the elegance and modernity they feature.

Glass dining tables are prized for their sleek appearance and ability to reflect light, making a room look bigger and brighter—a definite plus in a smaller space. Glass can highlight the best aspects of your dining area, complementing multiple decor styles with its clear transparency and adding a crystal-like touch of glamour and luxury to any room.

Although there are some disadvantages to choosing a glass-top table including its fragility, how easy it is to make it dirty and the possibility of irreparable heat damage, it’s hard not to appreciate the simple refinement of a sparkling glass dining table.

Large, stylish glass dining table with a metal base, complemented by brown leather chairs and illuminated by an elegant chandelier.

Benefits

  • The allure of glass dining tables lies in their juxtaposition of ethereal delicacy and exceptional strength, crafted from the finest tempered glass to ensure durability without compromising elegance. Most are made of tempered glass, a process developed to make glass stronger without impacting how it looks. Tempered glass is up to four times more durable than regular glass and can withstand at least 10,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
  • A glass dining table not only embodies effortless sophistication but also offers the convenience of easy maintenance, ensuring it remains a pristine centrepiece of your home’s aesthetic. Cleaning glass is simple and easy and unlike wood, a glass table does not need to be oiled and rarely needs to be recoated or painted.
  • With reasonable use as a kitchen dining table or even in the dining spaces in the living room, a glass dining table offers versatility and can be decorated or fit into most decor schemes seamlessly. Being mostly transparent it easily blends into the look and feel you have created and can be carried through as your tastes change drawing only as much attention as you want it to. Glass is simple, timeless and more adaptable than most other options where colouring is a factor.
  • The transparency of glass is also beneficial in small spaces as it looks less bulky and solid than other table designs. Glass allows light to filter through it creating the impression of more space and less clutter, a benefit of minimalism that can be brought into your interiors.
A warm gathering around a luxurious black dining table with a lacquered metal base, white chairs, and a striking pendant light casting a soft glow.

Limitations

  • Chances of Breakage: Modern glass furniture is much stronger than regular glass, but it is not indestructible.Chipping, cracking and even shattering can happen unexpectedly, posing a real safety risk to anyone using the table at the time.
  • Tempered glass can withstand a reasonable amount of compressed pressure; but it can still be damaged by impact and heat, both of which can easily happen during food preparation or serving.

    This can be avoided if you invest in a high-quality table with Italian glass or any other type of strong and durable glass.

  • Cleaning: Being clear and transparent, glass is prone to smudges, fingerprints and grease smears.
  • Cleaning a glass table is simple and easy, but you may need to clean it more frequently to maintain its dazzling appearance.

A group of friends enjoying a meal around a large black glass dining table, paired with grey chairs with metal legs, in a spacious, modern room.

Things to Consider When Buying a New Glass Dining Table

A well-designed and well-placed dining table is vital to a cohesive and functional home. Having a place to perform everyday tasks like eating and hosting special events simplifies your life and the flow of your home. A bespoke glass dining table seamlessly transforms from a centrepiece for elegant dinners without much effort. On its own, a glass table is a decorative fixture that doesn’t require styling to suit your theme. A glass dining table is the chameleon of dining tables gracefully conforming to any space and occasion without decorative interference.

Glass dining tables come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs, each with its own benefits. The five most important things to think about before choosing a new dining table for your home are where the dining table will be placed, what function it will serve in the space, how much room you have for the table and how much space you need at your table, what shape table best suits your home and your needs and of course what style.

A stunning glass dining table surrounded by matching transparent chairs, perfect for a modern dining setup

1. Size

Whether you have an abundance of space and even a whole room dedicated to dining or you’re working with a multifunctional room or small area in your home, the size of your dining table definitely matters. A large dining table can typically seat six or more while smaller dining tables can be designed to accommodate two to four chairs.

The reality is, that the best quality marble requires little to no maintenance, as long as you follow certain steps to care for it.While it is tempting to get the biggest table you can fit into your space, you should also keep in mind how functional the space will be with a full contingent of guests at the table. Make sure that there will be room to comfortably walk around the room and consider also that you may want to utilise the space for other functions, or upgrade it with a credenza or sideboard. Maximising surface space does not always mean the best use of the area. Extendable glass dining tables are a great innovation for houses with smaller dining areas, but larger entertainment areas that can cater for larger crowds.

 Classy modern oval-shaped glass dining table with a sleek metal base, contrasted with white bistro chairs in a lively, contemporary room.

2. Placement

Fewer and fewer people enjoy the luxury of a designated dining room with homes becoming smaller and modern architecture favouring more open-plan designs.

Where your dining table is going to be placed is an important factor in whether or not a glass dining table is the right choice and what particular type would be best. Where you intend to place your dining table will determine how it’s used. How often it's used and so influence your choice of shape, style and size, as well as how you decorate and incorporate it into the larger styling of your home.

According to our interior design team, glass dining tables look best when placed near a window, under a skylight or under a statement-making chandelier. This is because the beauty of the glass really shines through in well-lit areas. However, it’s more important to ensure that the placement you choose does not cause any obstructions in terms of the flow of traffic and everyone can comfortable be seated.

 Stylish small glass dining table with a bronze base, paired with cream chairs with sleek metal legs, offering a minimalist and elegant look for any space.

3. Shape

A round glass dining table is the best combination of practical shape and artful play on light for a space-saving table that creates the appearance of more space without compromising on style.

Round tables are popular not only for their organic shape but also because they can accommodate more seats without appearing to take up more space.

Large round tables also benefit from more versatile seating arrangements that accommodate more guests when needed while also not looking like there are glaring open seats when used by fewer people. However, the biggest social benefit of a round table is the easy flow of conversation without a designated head of the table. This democratic seating has been proven to be beneficial to a more casual flow of conversation.

There are also benefits to a more traditional square or rectangular table. Boasting sleek lines further emphasised by the clean elegance of glass.

Luxury transparent glass dining table with a stylish metal base, paired with sleek metal chairs beneath stylish circular pendant lights in a modern space.

4. Style

Glass is a versatile material that can conform to many different styles and designs. The table top can be cut into many different shapes, including other materials and even tints, but the base of your table is equally important especially since it can be seen while you’re away from the table, but also while you sit at it.

There are a variety of glass dining tables available, some having glass insets, a designer combination of materials or simply glass on metal or wooden legs.

Elevate the elegance of your glass dining table with bespoke bases crafted from hand-carved marble, artisanal wrought iron, or sculptural wood designs—each a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship. Simpler bases can also be chosen to suit less elaborate styles with a greater emphasis on the beauty of the glass itself. One of the reasons glass tables remain popular so long after they were first considered trendy and modern is because they are so adaptable.

An elegant rectangular clear glass top dining table with a sleek wooden base, paired with brown leather chairs, complementing the room's decor.

Styling Tips

A dining table can be and often is functional even outside of mealtimes.

Whether it is being used as a display surface with an arrangement of flowers at its centre or a functional and decorative runner for a splash of colour and protection.

Simplicity is key and less is definitely more when it comes to glass allowing its natural beauty and effortless elegance to be the main focus, playing on the other decorative elements of your room and easily complementing them through contrast or simply blending in to minimise visual noise.

Trendy glass top dining table paired with stylish brown metal chairs, placed under a warm pendant light, creating a cozy and stylish dining space.

How FCI London Can Help You Design & Furnish Your Dream Dining Space

Variety is the spice of life and when you’re dreaming up the ideal space to call home, flavour is definitely what you need. Visit our showroom for a wide variety of glass tables. Experience style and range with a professional consultant at your side guiding you through your options and possible customisation options. We work with the best artisans and designers from all over Europe to deliver the best quality, latest styles and unique creations to our customers.

Book an Appointment with an FCI Dining Tables Expert

Our professional team is available to help you with every step of your decor project. Book a personalised visit and let's get the ball rolling on your new dining room design.

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