Coffee table with a glass top: maintenance effort and effect in the room
A coffee table with a glass top makes a room appear more open than a table with a solid wooden or stone top. At the same time, glass shows every touch, every film of dust and every water ring. In hotel lobbies, waiting areas and showrooms the question therefore arises whether the visual lightness justifies the additional cleaning effort. The answer depends on how the table is used, on the light and on the way the table is built. When deciding, it is worth looking at both sides soberly before a model is ordered.
How glass changes the room
A transparent top opens up the view of the rug, the floor and the frame. This is particularly effective where Coffee tables have a carved frame. Small seating groups look less cluttered because the table visually takes up hardly any area. Tinted or satin-finished glass reduces part of this effect but hides fingerprints better. Bear in mind that everything underneath also becomes visible through the top: cables, rug edges or a shelf holding magazines are then part of the picture and should be arranged accordingly.
Assessing the maintenance effort realistically
In heavily used areas, clear glass generally has to be wiped daily, in a lobby even several times a day. Fingerprints, rings left by glasses and dust are immediately noticeable in side light. A microfibre cloth and a streak-free glass cleaner are sufficient, whereas abrasive agents cause fine scratches. The underside of the top also needs attention because dust collects there and is visible from above. Factor this effort into the cleaning schedule before you order several tables for a project. Coasters reduce rings but are not used reliably by guests. On dark floors, dust on the top is also more noticeable than on light ones.
Safety and construction
For tables in commercial settings, safety glass is customary; when broken it crumbles into blunt granules instead of sharp shards. Ask your supplier about the type of glass and the thickness of the top; for coffee tables, around eight to twelve millimetres is common. Polished or bevelled edges are less sensitive to knocks and more pleasant to the touch. How the top is seated also matters: set into a frame or resting on non-slip support points, it does not shift when someone leans on it. Loosely laid tops without any securing are hardly suitable for rooms with public traffic.
Combining glass with a Baroque frame
Anyone furnishing with Baroque furniture often uses glass to show an elaborate frame to advantage. Gold- or silver-coloured frames with carving remain visible from all sides beneath a clear top. Make sure that the frame is also cleanly finished when seen from above, because glue residue or untreated spots cannot be hidden. With heavy sofas in dark covers, the glass top forms a counterweight that makes the group appear lighter. In rooms with a lot of daylight, you should check reflections on site before deciding on the position. A display piece or a sample top helps with this assessment.
Related categories: Sofas, Armchairs, Display cabinets. The full range: Baroque furniture.
Read more: Display cabinet with drawers: storage below, presentation above, Bed in the guest room: durable furnishing for changing users, Store Design: Using Baroque in Retail, Armchair with footstool: using the footrest flexibly, Combining Armchairs and Sofas: Coordinating Seat Height and Style