Pros and cons of glass countertops
Kitchen countertops are made of tempered glass with a thickness of at least 8 mm. For household safety purposes, the edges of the parts are ground on edge processing equipment. Extrusion plexiglass can be used as an alternative to tempered glass, but it is less heat-resistant and prone to abrasion.
Benefits | disadvantages |
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The glass top is resistant to temperature extremes. You can put hot dishes on it. | Traces of fingers and water are visible on the glass. |
Tempered glass is not afraid of accidental blows, its breaking strength is 5 times higher than that of ordinary glass. When destroyed, it will disintegrate into small fragments without sharp edges. | If the light source is located above the countertop, the reflection will be unpleasant to the eyes. |
The glass is resistant to scratches, if necessary, you can restore the gloss with a polishing paste. | Glass reflects rather than absorbs sound. Cutlery glass tables will be more "resonant" when in contact with utensils compared to conventional ones. |
Glass furniture lends itself well to cleaning with household chemicals, with the exception of abrasive powders. | The corners of rectangular or square glass tables are sharper than the corners of wooden furniture. |
Glass furniture visually enlarges the space. |
The glass does not heat up to room temperature, so there is a feeling of coldness when it comes into contact with furniture. |
Is a glass table practical?
Glass, as a material, absolutely does not absorb liquid, which is why traces of dirt are immediately visible on it. On the other hand, dirt does not penetrate and is easily removed with detergents.
- The tablecloth will slide off the glass surface, it is better to use special anti-slip napkins.
- When using glass furniture, one must beware of the appearance of chips along the edge, they are traumatic for both adults and children.
- To protect the countertop from dirt and scratches while eating, it is recommended to use a silicone sheeting.
Types of tables for the kitchen
Glass tables for the kitchen are dining, bar. The area of the folding glass tables increases 2 or 3 times after the transformation. Such furniture is ideal for a small kitchen or studio apartment. The glass bar counter with built-in lighting will look spectacular in the evenings.
Shapes and sizes of glass tables
If the design or color of the furniture depends solely on the personal preferences of a person, then when choosing the shape of the countertop, it is worth considering the area of the dining area in an apartment or house.
Oval
Typically, oval dining tables are placed in dining rooms or kitchens. Tables of this shape look good in long, spacious rooms. The photo below shows the options for placing an oval table in the kitchen of an apartment and a country house.
Round
Smooth lines in the interior are associated with a warm family atmosphere or friendly gatherings. Round top tables are ideal for square spaces. Compared to a square table, a round table can accommodate more people. Rounded corners make furniture safe for children. In the photo on the left there is a round table in a modern kitchen, in the photo on the right - transparent furniture in a neoclassical interior.
Square
The square shape is suitable for small kitchens with symmetrical accents in the interior. A seated person has more personal space at a square table than at a round one.
Rectangular
Glass rectangular tables can zone rooms, separating the kitchen from the living room. Due to the visual lightness of glass, such zoning looks original and unobtrusive. If the table is not set daily for a large company, then one of its ends can be decorated with flowers or decor.
In narrow dining rooms, a rectangular glass table will neatly fit against the window or against the wall without cluttering the space, this option is shown in the photo on the left. The photo on the right is a fusion-style interior, a piece of glass is used as a protective cover over a carved wooden surface.
Angular
Corner tables are good when, with a shortage of space, you need to allocate a place to work in the kitchen. Also, corner models are convenient in combination with kitchen corners, as in the photo below. A stylish corner table made of glass will decorate the room in a modern style, while maintaining a sense of free space.
Triangular
If two or three people are dining at the same time in the kitchen, then you can use a triangular table. It is desirable that the sharp edges of the triangular table top are smoothed out.
Semicircular
If you want to leave more free space in the center of the kitchen, then you should consider the countertop in the form of a semicircle or semi-oval. This product configuration is suitable for a small room area.
Unusual shape
For those who love experiments in the interior, designers offer furniture of an unusual shape, but at the same time comfortable and safe. On CNC machines, you can cut a glass part of any shape. Designer furniture is often made in a single copy and has a certificate of uniqueness.
Small
Compact tables will become a cute interior accessory that will complement your kitchen furnishings. Despite their small size, they can be original in design and performance. A small table in the kitchen can serve as the main place for food or be a stand for dessert, fruit, bread slices.
Large
The large size of the countertop will not be so conspicuous if it is made of transparent material. Despite the seeming fragility, glass tables are very reliable in operation. It is also worth considering setting a large table, picking up stylish dishes, vases, candles.
Colors of tables in the interior of the kitchen
For furniture, not only transparent, but also tinted, frosted and colored glass is used.
White
The main advantages of white in the interior are versatility and perfect compatibility with other colors. White furniture looks fresh and sophisticated. The white glass table can be decorated to suit any style. In a modern kitchen, brightly colored crockery and vases will contrast effectively with the white surface. The tabletop, decorated with candles and transparent crockery, will be a great addition to the classic interior.
The black
The black glass surface is distinguished by a deep mirror gloss. This texture is ideal for a luxurious kitchen interior in the art deco style or black and white classics.
Beige
The color has many shades from almost white to caramel. Beige is chosen by those who prefer a calm, relaxing environment at home. A neutral beige color is also suitable for tables that emphasize the original shape.
Transparent
Transparent glass tables are the most "invisible" option for kitchen furniture. Glass tables for the kitchen are often complemented by a set of transparent chairs. It must be remembered that the glass surface will look beautiful only with constant care and respect. The photo below shows options for transparent furniture, which seems to merge with the surrounding environment.
Red
Psychologists say that temperamental people prefer red in the interior. The bright color of the table is accentuated by white walls and accessories. To make red in the kitchen less dominant, you can only use it on the legs of the table.
Orange
Color fills the room with warmth and energy and is one of the most vital colors in design. It is recommended to put an orange glass table in the kitchen, as this color makes you appetite. In a small kitchen, you should not complement an orange table with a kitchen set of the same color, because an excess of bright colors can be annoying. The combination of orange and light green colors looks colorful.
Brown
The calm brown color is liked not only by supporters of conservatism in design. The brown tone is often found in the loft and in the American classics. The glossy surface of the glass makes brown shades more vibrant. For the kitchen, you can pick up coffee or chocolate brown options.
Design options and designs on glass tables
Digital photo printing is the most advanced way to apply an image to a glass tabletop. In specialized workshops, a custom-made drawing will be printed. To easily find high quality graphics or photos, you should use the websites of photo banks on the Internet.
Tables with photo printing
The most popular prints for the kitchen are orchids, nautical themes, juicy berries and fruits. Geometric patterns are suitable for Scandinavian design, country, midsenchuri. To make glass furniture in harmony with eco-style, images with green leaves, grass, wildflowers are selected for printing.
With frosted glass
Glass devoid of gloss conquers with its exquisite appearance. There are different shades of frosted glass: milky, vanilla, ivory, blue or blue. In the kitchen, frosted glass can be more practical than transparent glass because it doesn't show so much streaks or dried water spots.
Combined with other materials
Glass combines perfectly with many materials. The shine of the glass emphasizes the warmth of the wood, harmonizes with the cold metal or the gloss of the stone. With the development of technology in the production of furniture, artificial and natural leather began to be used more often. Leather inserts add status chic to the product. For visual ease, the tabletop is made of glass, and the legs or underframe are made of a different material.
With shelves and drawers
The design of glass tables for the kitchen often involves a shelf, it can be made of glass or other material. You can put a beautiful bouquet, decorative ornaments on the shelf or use it for serving during meals. Some table models have a drawer for cutlery or kitchen utensils.
Recommendations for choosing a table
The cost of glass tables for the kitchen is quite high. To avoid disappointments after the purchase, you need to know the requirements for the quality of glass furniture.
- Make sure the table is made of tempered glass. Tempered glass is marked with the inscription "tempered glass".
- The edges of the table top and other parts of the table should not have chips or pronounced irregularities.
- Adhesive joints of table elements are more resistant to vibrations and loads than bolted joints. In addition, the glue fastening looks more aesthetically pleasing, because the glue becomes transparent when hardened, and the seams are practically invisible.
Glass Kitchen Table Legs Ideas
Glass table legs are made of wood, metal, stone. Sometimes they are the ones that carry the main decorative load in the design of the product.
- Wooden legs can be laconic or lavishly decorated with carvings.
- A table on one leg can have a sculpture or a cubic composition of stone at the base.
- A few years ago, there was a fashion for forged products in the interior; iron legs with signs of aging adorn glass tables in steampunk or industrial style.
- The most prestigious is considered to be furniture made entirely of glass from the table top to the supporting elements.
The photo below shows a dining group with wrought iron elements, it is made as a replica of the furnishings of French bistros.
Photos of tables in various interior styles
- For a high-tech or minimalist kitchen, furniture of a laconic shape with a combination of glass and metal is suitable.
- The adherence to the Art Nouveau style in furniture design is expressed in the predominance of curved flowing lines. For this style, drop-shaped countertops with bent or forged legs made of aged metal are suitable.
- Tables made in a classic design have a pronounced symmetry, the countertops of classic furniture are made of the correct geometric shape.
- Kitchen furniture with glass mosaic inserts will perfectly fit into the oriental interior.
- The modern style of design is characterized by the search for non-standard solutions for traditional pieces of furniture. Original designer kitchen furniture is combined with ceramic decor, tree roots, metal rivets.
Photo gallery
A glass table can be a functional and inconspicuous piece of kitchen interior, or, on the contrary, attract attention with an unusual design. To make a decision to purchase glass furniture, you need to weigh the pros and cons, take into account not only the opinion of designers, but also your own preferences and lifestyle.