Even a small coffee table can be an excellent functional piece of furniture. Being endowed with high decorative qualities, he will also act as an original accent that will adequately complement the general concept of the style of the room. This is how you can characterize a glass coffee table, which will never be left without attention. It has a wide variety of models, which we will discuss in this article. We will also give advice on what to consider when buying.
Advantages and disadvantages
First of all, I would like to briefly describe the main advantages of a glass coffee table. These include:
- High durability and product safety. Modern transparent furniture is made of special tempered glass, which is difficult to break. Even if this happens, the fragments will have safe edges;
- Resistance to conditions of high humidity, temperature extremes, which ensures the durability of the product;
- simplicity of leaving;
- The ability to perform a number of functions in the interior - a glass coffee table can serve as a minibar, bedside table, serving table, a place to store magazines, newspapers, various trifles;
- High decorative indicators, achieved not only by the originality of forms, but also by various methods of coloring, drawing drawings, etc .;
- Excellent compatibility with other materials (wood, metal, stone), of which often form the base and frame. Products with a finish or a body made of wood look solid and massive. Wrought iron coasters for countertops can give the atmosphere lightness and grace. Pillows made of rattan or wicker thick branches that look good under a transparent tabletop look beautiful and original;
- The table does not visually clutter up the space due to its transparency, lightweight construction;
- Glass furniture is appropriate in the interiors of any style.
In addition to many advantages, glass tables have disadvantages. On the glass, dirt is quite clearly visible - fingerprints, stains, so the countertop must be washed often using special tools. Glass furniture, especially designer exclusive products, are quite expensive. If financial opportunities are limited, you can pay attention to cheaper options for domestic or Chinese production. It is worth considering that it is not recommended to install heavy objects on the glass top and, moreover, move them on the surface - this can lead to the formation of scratches and chips.
Types of Glass Coffee Tables
Today there is a huge range of models of elegant glass tables. Next, we will review the main varieties, dividing them conditionally into groups depending on certain features.
Depending on the design
Glass coffee tables are able to perform many functions thanks to additional mechanisms. There are such models as:
1. Monolithic - the simplest option in terms of design, which implies the presence of a solid frame with a countertop. It is not able to modify, but it has excellent decorative data;
2. Sliding - an improved design that contains a synchronous mechanism that pushes the area of the countertop. This is a very convenient model, because when folded it takes up little space in the room, but when you meet guests it turns into a spacious table for a friendly tea party;
3.Folding - similar to the previous, transforming model. Its difference is that the surface increases due to the appearance of additional elements. This type of tables has a large lineup where you can choose both standard symmetrical options and unique stylish design solutions with asymmetry.
Depending on the number and type of legs
Unlike conventional tables, current tables can have a different number of legs. At the same time, the type of support itself can be quite original. Tabletops on one leg or a round support made of wood or metal are in great demand.
A stylish option is the coffee table tops on the glass side faces, which in the interior seem almost invisible. The tables on castors are also quite convenient, which can be easily moved if necessary.
Choosing a particular model, you need to focus on the general style of the interior. Crossed metal or glass supports are ideally suited to modern trends, wooden legs - to ethnic, rustic styles. Tables on four pillars - this is a classic option that will be appropriate in any interior.
Depending on size and shape
Today it is not difficult to purchase or make to order a glass coffee table of any size. The choice depends on the dimensions of the premises and the personal wishes of the owners. For a small living room, a transformer table is a good option. If he was destined to play the role of a bedside table, you can stop at a small model that does not take up much space in the bedroom.
Shapes are also very diverse: from the familiar round, square, rectangular to the most curved. For small and cramped rooms, a round countertop is preferred, the streamlined shape of which is safer (especially if there are children in the house). In the spacious living room, a square or rectangular table is relevant.
And if you really want to surprise guests - go ahead, to search for individual products that are made to order. It can be curly options or tables-abstractions, which often do not carry a special functional load. Original design have tables in the form of a cube or oval single, two-tier models.
Design of glass coffee tables
The main advantage of glass furniture is an infinite number of options for decorating it. Matted worktops are in great demand, perfectly complementing the modern minimalism of interiors. This option is also quite practical, since fingerprints and dust are less noticeable on the frosted glass, and the surface itself can gently scatter light.
In the production of tables, tinted glass (lacobel), which has a uniform color, is often used. It can be monophonic countertops or with a print in the form of plant patterns, geometric sketches, carved ornaments, or simply strict lines.
Translucent brown and black are considered fashionable shades of glass coffee tables. Such countertops can be clad in chrome or wood frames. In any case, they are able to create a special atmosphere of presentability and chic.
Colored tables - blue, gray, green - can be matched to the color of the interior or, conversely, create an accent zone with their help. Glass constructions with the organization of the internal space for an aquarium or florarium look very unusual.
What to consider when buying
We have already said that furniture made of heavy-duty glass has a high cost, so you need to be very scrupulous in choosing a model. First of all, you need to decide what functional responsibilities will be assigned to the coffee table. A small family can be limited to a compact design with an additional shelf or niche.This will be enough to accommodate a couple of cups of tea and a favorite magazine.
If the family decided to meet guests or arrange family gatherings, you can opt for transforming options. You also need to think about whether there will be a need to move the table - perhaps the best model would be a wheeled model. For a large family, a table with several shelves on which you can place a lot of things will be a good option.
One of the important points that deserve special attention is the selection of a model that matches the style of the interior. Classic designs have simple configurations. Worktops most often have oval or rectangular shapes. The support consists of four legs, which can be wooden, carved or forged.
The table top of the coffee table in the Art Nouveau style is often made of colored glass, and expensive materials are used for the base - rare wood, stone, as well as forged parts. This style is quite close to nature, so floral ornaments and ornate floral patterns can be traced in the furniture decor.
The ultra-modern hi-tech style involves simple geometric or streamlined shapes. The design of furniture is dominated by straight and oblique lines. A coffee table with a stainless steel frame will look appropriate, and wood in structures is extremely rare.
Modern minimalism, promoting simplicity and functionality, will complement a transforming table or a design on wheels without unnecessary patterns, ornaments and other elaborate elements.
A feature of rural areas, such as country, Provence, is comfort and coziness. It uses natural materials, mainly light shades, and glass in the best way emphasizes the lightness and openness of the interior. The table may have a massive base of natural wood with elements of carving or scuff. At home, such tables are decorated with decoupage technique. Structures with forged elements or equipped with wheels look no less attractive.
Glass coffee tables - photo
Glass coffee table is able to give originality to any room, turning into an elegant decoration of the interior. Glass furniture is always beautiful and stylish. In our photo gallery, we have collected the best pictures that demonstrate the ability of the coffee table to make the design of the room stylish and functional. Enjoy watching!