Glass Dining Tables

A glass dining table is a great addition to a home, but there is a wide variety of factors to consider ensuring you get the right table for your needs. Not only do you want a table that looks attractive, but you should also consider quality and durability of construction, safety, size, capacity, extendibility, portability, and comfort of chairs. By putting some time into these considerations beforehand, you can save time and energy and the hassle of having to return a product that does meet your requirements. The first thing to consider is how you will be using your glass dining room table. How large is your family, for example, and how many people would you have over at a typical holiday gathering? Think a lot about space. Is there enough room, for example for people to easily get around the table while dining? And of course work out how much you are willing to spend on your new table.

Your glass dining table should fit comfortably into the room. Measure the room, patio, etc., that you will use remembering that you will need space for people to walk by while the chairs are pulled out. The table should be large enough to allow space for food and settings but not to large as to reduce the closeness of social contact. Here are some common table sizes:

Rectangular and oblong tables:
36 inch x 66 inch – 6-8 people
60 in. x 84 in. -- 8 - 10 people
60 in. x 102 in. -- 10 - 12 people
60 in. x 120 in. -- 12 - 16 people
60 in. x 142 in. -- 12 - 16 people
70 in. x 96 in. -- 10 - 12 people
70 in. x 126 in. -- 12 - 16 people
70 in. x 144 in. -- 12 - 16 people

Round tables:
36-in. diameter -- 4 - 5 people
48-in. diameter -- 5 - 6 people
60-in. diameter -- 7 - 8 people

A good rule of thumb is to leave at least four feet between the edge of the table and the nearest wall or furniture. For a more spacious dining area you can leave up to seven feet or more of room. When thinking of the number of people to accommodate, add in a few more than normal to be on the safe side. You will want to allow between about 20 to 34 inches of elbow space between chairs, and about 35 to 40 inches of space behind chairs if you plan on serving food from that area. Always remember to take measurements from furniture rather than the wall to ensure you have calculated space needs correctly. A glass dining table that is too large will make people feel distant from each other and does not foster good conversation and interaction. If you normally have family and close friends over, you might want to consider a cozier, more tightly-grouped spacing of chairs.

Round and square glass dining tables tend to be more intimate and are great for conversations. Everyone is facing each other with these table shapes. For larger rooms, a rectangular or oblong table is more desirable. Such tables also allow you to designate an end of the table as the “head” or place of honor. The table style should generally match the furniture and architecture of the room. Glass dining tables come in a variety of styles from Grand Cayman to Georgian and there is something to match every taste. A good quality round glass dining table will have thick, tempered glass with round edges for safety. Also, consider the comfort of the chairs including the cushioning and the feel of the materials. Leather can be very elegant but maybe too expensive for most needs. Some dining tables can be extended and folded and are convenient if you need to move them to other locations. The extension also allows more versatility in terms of table occupancy. Good quality glass is scratch-resistant and easily cleaned with a household window cleaner.

Styles of glass dining tables are nearly endless. For example, you can choose what other materials are used with the glass top including wood, chrome, or other metals. Or you could select an all glass table. Then there is the type of glass, for example, glazed or stretch glass. Finally, you have the architectural styling and shape of the table and chairs. You can select something, for example, that reflects a Renaissance mood or something more modern.

Glass dining tables can vary widely in price depending on quality. They can range from as low as US $150 for a full dining set, on the low end, to more than $5000 for the table alone, on the high end. With some searching, you are likely to find something that fits your needs and is still affordable.