Glass kitchen tables: features, varieties and tips for choosing

Glass dining tables always look "airy" and much less bulky than the usual plastic and wooden structures. Such furniture is indispensable in a small-sized space, when it is necessary to visually "unload" the room.

Glass tables look presentable in any situation, so they look good in interiors of any style.

For the manufacture of such furniture, several types of glass are used.

• Transparent - Naturally, this is not ordinary window glass, but tempered in a special way. At the same time, it acquires some additional properties: resistance to moisture and temperature fluctuations.
• Triplex - This is the same glass that is used in the manufacture of car doors. There are 3 layers here, a film is located between them, it protects the surface from scattering fragments in case of damage.
• Reinforced - the manufacturing technology of such glasses is similar to the previous one, but, instead of a film, a reinforced mesh is used here. Such a product is particularly durable and copes well with all loads.
• Matted - here the decorative advantages of the table come to the fore, such tabletops look very attractive and stylish.
• Lakobel - in the process of making glass at the stage of melting, coloring pigments are added to the raw materials, so the countertops are opaque and colored.

Glass tables for the kitchen allow you to create an atmosphere of comfort and coziness in the dining area.

The undoubted advantages of such furniture include:

• resistance to high temperatures;
• moisture resistance;
• no dirt penetrates into the worktop, does not spoil its structure;
• products are durable and long-lasting;
• environmental safety - the material does not emit harmful and toxic substances;
• due to the special structure, the tables are resistant to mechanical damage, so the risk of injury when splitting is minimal;
• aesthetic design that fits perfectly into any interiors and is combined with all materials;
• glass tends to reflect light, therefore visually expands the space, making it brighter and more comfortable;
• care of glass furniture can be carried out using any cleaning agent, while all types of dirt can be easily removed even with plain water.

However, glass dining tables have their drawbacks:

• noticeable fingerprints and stains from spilled colored liquids often remain on the glass;
• in some models, crumbs, drops of grease and other contaminants penetrate at the joints between the glass and the frame.

The operation of such a table has its own characteristics. Despite the fact that the furniture is made of tempered glass, you can still break it, so before buying it is worth weighing the pros and cons of such an acquisition, especially since such pieces of furniture are not cheap.

Some users do not like the “sonorousness” of the material, as well as the fact that the legs of those present at the table are visible during lunch - but these disadvantages already belong to the sphere of individual preferences, so for some they, on the contrary, are rather a plus.

Not so long ago, flexible and soft artificial glass began to be used to create kitchen furniture - such tables are made of acrylic, polycarbonate or polystyrene - such models are much cheaper, while they have numerous advantages:

• do not turn yellow under the influence of direct sunlight;
• are resistant to mechanical damage;
• not destroyed by abrasive cleaning agents;
• easy to cut and handle.

There are several types of tempered glass dining tables.

These are the most popular models, which are of high quality, since the table top here is a single piece of glass. The lineup is represented by products of various sizes and shapes, they are often decorated by applying patterns by sandblasting and by engraving. For framing, I usually use forging, wood or braid.

This is a very handy model. Here, the sliding part is not fully folded, but with the help of several hidden sections, it can significantly increase the working area of ​​the furniture. When assembled, the product takes up little space, so these tables are optimal for small kitchens as well.

A folding glass dining table is a rather original option. In our country, this furniture appeared in the 90s of the last century, when Western technologies came to Russia. These tables, when folded, rather resemble a console or a pedestal, and when unfolded, 8-10 people can easily fit behind them. These options are optimal for small standard kitchens.

This is an unusual model that enjoys a steadily growing popularity. due to its versatility:

• due to the option of changing the length of the legs, this furniture can be used both as a kitchen table and instead of a dastarkhan;
• thanks to additional blades, you can turn glass tables into a TV stand;
• under the sliding elements of the worktop, a spacious space is formed for various kitchen utensils.

In order for the glass table to become not only a decoration of the kitchen, but also a high-quality reliable thing, you need to choose the right model correctly. Experts recommend paying attention to a number of nuances.

1. A glossy surface is not entirely practical in a house where small children live - they will constantly leave handprints, so the product will have to be polished often. In this case, it is better to give preference to frosted glass - such countertops are made in different colors and always look spectacular and attractive.
2. Before buying, be sure to make sure that the product offered to you is of high quality - there should be no blisters, bubbles or cracks on the surface.
3. Check the tightness of the frame, if it is insufficient, then dirt will start to clog at the joints, and the product will quickly become unattractive and unsanitary. If the table top does not have a frame, then you should make sure that all ends and corners are well polished.
4. For families with children, it is better to give preference to rounded and oval tables, but if you intend to buy a square or rectangular model, let it have rounded corners - this will save the child from injury in the event of a fall.
5. The legs should be as stable as possible, it is best to choose models with 3-4 supports.
6. The thickness of the table top must be at least 1 cm, the smaller parameter is suitable only for coffee tables, kitchen tables must withstand the weight of the dishes and utensils served, so their thickness must be appropriate.
7. When buying a structure, one should proceed from the free space of the room. For large kitchens, you can take monolithic tables, but for small ones, it is better to give preference to transformers. Keep in mind that each person should have about 60 cm of free space on the table - based on this standard, you can choose the optimal tabletop sizes for your family.
8. The manufacturer plays an important role. Give preference to products from reliable manufacturers, as this largely determines the quality of the materials used.

Dining tables are large and small, and they are made in various versions.

• Rectangular products convenient for small spaces - they can be placed in a corner or pressed against the wall, they go well with a sofa corner, chairs and a bench.

• Square models most often they are installed in the center of the dining room, and its area can be very different, visually they look quite miniature and at the same time harmoniously fit into any interiors.

• Round tables require space, therefore they are optimal only for a spacious kitchen. Such furniture has no sharp corners, which makes it safe, and the appearance looks extremely luxurious and impressive.

• Oval tables more often installed in island-type kitchens, they require free passageways from all sides. Due to the absence of corners and the elongated shape, quite a lot of people can fit at such a table, and they look very expensive and modern.

Kitchen tables are made of transparent or colored (black, red, blue) glass, while the choice of coating option largely depends on the design features of the room.

In an interior decorated in the style of Provence or shabby chic, dining tables made of glass on forged legs or with a wood base will be appropriate. When implementing country ideas, it is better to choose models with a wooden frame or braid, and aged materials look especially stylish.

Classics require a combination of glass with stone or forging, but for interiors in a modern style, chrome legs will be an excellent addition to glass, while Art Deco can also be supplemented with geometric patterns in gold, bronze or copper. For hi-tech, a transparent tabletop should be combined with laconic metal legs, while the glass can be made darkened, but certainly glossy.

A separate type of glass kitchen tables are models with photo printing - this option is suitable for lovers of original decor. With the help of modern technologies, absolutely any pattern can be applied to the glass surface, from imitation of natural materials to your favorite painting. The quality of photo printing largely depends on the equipment and ink used, as well as on the set tool settings - with the correct design, the drawing is firmly fixed on the surface and is not damaged during operation.

When choosing glass kitchen furniture, it is extremely important that it blends harmoniously with the overall interior design, style of the room and the character of the home owner. It is believed that the most suitable "frame" for such furniture will be such modern trends as minimalism, hi-tech and art deco.

This does not mean that all other styles cannot use glass. The dining area of ​​this material looks quite impressive in combination with Provence and the shabby chic style that has been fashionable in recent years. The main thing is to choose the right model, it should include a wooden or wicker frame, in this case, choose white.

In classic interiors, a glass tabletop should be complemented by wrought iron legs.

A country-style glass table looks very impressive - in this case, preference is given to models with a wooden base and leather elements, and, of course, chairs should also be made of wood. In recent years, wooden tables with liquid glass inserts have become popular.

As you can see, glass furniture for the kitchen has long ceased to be something non-trivial - today, due to the abundance of design ideas, it has acquired versatility, so you can safely choose such tables for your dining room. But remember that a glass tabletop is a non-core design element, it only complements and emphasizes it, while sometimes it itself remains completely unnoticed.

For an overview of a glass kitchen table with a photo print, see the next video.