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Discover the real pros and cons of a glass dining table from someone who’s used one almost daily for over 7 years.
Thinking about getting a glass dining table but not sure if it’s the right choice for your home?
After living with one for over seven years, I’ve experienced all the pros and cons of a glass dining table that most people only discover after daily use.
That’s why I’m breaking down the pros and cons of a glass dining table in this blog post.
Plus, I’m sharing my #1 trick for cleaning glass dining tables, and a quick checklist to help you choose the right glass dining table!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that are at no additional cost to you. I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.
Related: How To Style A Dining Table When Not In Use [10 Simple Ideas!]
Pros Of A Glass Dining Table
- Makes a small space look bigger
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Strong and durable
- Minimal yet versatile
- Environmentally-friendly
Makes a small space look bigger
This is hands-down the #1 reason why we decided to go with a glass dining table.
Since we live in an apartment, we wanted to make sure we didn’t crowd the space with large pieces of furniture.
Our home has an open-concept layout, so the living and dining area essentially share the same space.
Since our living area already had some built-ins and a large couch, we knew it was important to keep things balanced.
A glass dining table was the perfect choice because the glass tabletop lets light flow right through, making the space feel brighter and more open.
Because you can see through the top (and even underneath it), it doesn’t visually block the room like a solid dining table would.
Instead, it gives the illusion of a larger and airier room, which was exactly what we wanted!
To be fair, we also have big windows that let in tons of natural light, which definitely helps.
But if your dining area doesn’t get much sun, a glass dining table can make a big difference.
A glass table top reflects and bounces light around, which brightens up the entire space and feel less closed in.
Easy to clean and maintain
You know what I’ve come to appreciate most after seven years with a glass dining table?
Just how easy it is to clean and maintain one!
Back at my family home, we had a beautiful marble dining table, but over time, it picked up so many stains and etch marks.
And while those little imperfections might give it “character”, they used to drive me (and my mom!) nuts because we’d notice every tiny mark.
With my glass table, I don’t stress about spills at all.
A quick spray of glass cleaner and a paper towel – and it becomes spotless in seconds!
No worrying about coasters for hot or cold drinks either because there will be no rings or marks left behind!
Since we eat at the dining table pretty often, it’s such a relief to not have to tiptoe around food and drinks like turmeric, curry, or red wine.
Another bonus? I don’t have to polish it like I would with wood or natural stone.
Once it’s wiped down, it looks clean and sleek. Every. Single. Time!
My #1 tip for keeping a glass dining table clean? Skip a damp cloth and go for a paper towel (or newspaper!) instead.
Cloths can leave behind lint and streaks (yes, even microfibre cloths!), but a paper towel is more absorbent and has a slightly abrasive texture.
I guarantee this cleaning hack will leave your dining table streak and lint free.
Strong and durable
After seven years of daily use, I can *confirm* that our glass dining table is super strong and durable.
Now, to be fully transparent, we still play it safe by always using a trivet when placing something really hot like a dish straight from the oven onto the table.
Even though tempered glass is designed to handle heat and pressure, we’d rather not take any chances. Broken glass is not something we ever want to deal with!
But other than that, we have had zero concerns about stains, moisture, rust, warping or swelling.
Unlike wood, which can warp or swell if it gets too much moisture, or metal that can rust over time, our glass dining table has held up beautifully over the years, even with daily use!
Minimal yet versatile
I’ll admit – a glass dining table might not bring the same cozy warm feel that a wooden one does. But, that’s actually part of what makes it so versatile.
Because glass is neutral and transparent, it can blend easily with other furniture because it doesn’t clash with different materials or styles.
Plus, its minimal clean design means I can decorate a glass dining table in so many different ways – even when it’s not in use!
And, just because it’s minimal doesn’t mean it’s boring!
These days, glass dining tables come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and styles.
Ours might look like a standard six-seater at first glance, but it actually extends to fit up to eight or ten people, which has come in so handy when we’re hosting!
If you have a small family, my friend’s round glass dining table is stylish without taking up too much space.
Glass dining tables also come with a wide variety of leg styles and base designs like chunky pedestal bases to ornate metal frames and carved wood legs.
When we were shopping around, we came across glass dining tables with decorative metal or heavy traditional wooden legs and bases.
While they were beautiful in their own way, they didn’t match the clean, modern style we were going for.
Plus, my husband is really tall, so we needed a table with legs that didn’t get in the way of legroom, especially in the middle!
Honestly, it took us months after moving in to finally find the right one! But, it was worth the wait.
We eventually found a table with sleek walnut wood legs – simple, classy, and modern – and it was perfect.
The rich tone of the wood adds the perfect amount of warmth to balance out the cool minimalist glass top.
It was the perfect mix of function and style, and it fit seamlessly into our home.
Environmentally-friendly
A glass dining-table is considered eco-friendly because glass is a non-toxic, recyclable, and sustainable material.
On top of that, they’re built to last.
Because they’re so durable, you’re not constantly replacing them, which helps cut down on waste over time.
I can vouch for that – our glass dining table has been with us for seven years now, and we have no plans to swap it out anytime soon!
Related: Our Dining Room Makeover – Before & After Transformation!
Cons of A Glass Dining Table
- Expensive
- Shows fingerprints and dust easily
- Can be scratched
- Can be dangerous for families with kids and pets
- Can show feet, pets, and more while dining
- Non-repairable
Expensive
Tempered glass dining tables can definitely be on the pricier side, but that’s usually because they’re made from high-quality materials and built to last.
When we were shopping for dining tables, we noticed that the glass tables were a lot more expensive than many of the wooden ones.
(That said, some of said wooden tables probably weren’t solid wood, which can make a big difference in price)
In the end, we bought the display unit of the glass table we fell in love with.
Even then, it still cost us around $1,000, but it was still a save because the original price was nearly double!
It felt like a big purchase at the time, but after seven years of daily use, we have zero regrets! It was definitely worth every single penny.
Shows fingerprints and dust easily
Now, I’m not going to lie… this is hands-down the worst part of owning a glass dining table for me.
Fingerprints. Dust. Cloudy spots.
They show everything.
If you’re someone who notices smudges the second they appear (guilty!), then you’ll probably find yourself reaching for the glass cleaner more often than you’d like.
That said, the actual cleaning isn’t hard or time-consuming. It’s just the frequency that can be a bit much.
Can be scratched
Even though glass dining tables are generally pretty hardy, they’re not totally scratch-proof.
Over time, small scratches can happen… and unfortunately, once they’re there, they can’t really be fixed.
We’ve got a few on ours now, and they’re from tableware made of stoneware.
The rough unglazed bottoms of our plates ended up leaving fine scratches on the glass surface. We didn’t notice them until it was too late!
So if you’re planning to get a glass table (or already have one), I’d definitely recommend using tableware made of ceramic or melamine instead.
You can also use placemats as a little extra layer of protection – something I wished we had done from the beginning!
Can be dangerous for families with kids and pets
People ask me all the time: “Are glass dining tables safe?”
Honestly, in my experience – yes, they are.
The worst thing that has happened in our home is bumping into one of the sharp corners on our rectangular glass table.
It’s not crazy painful – just imagine stubbing your toe on a coffee table! Not ideal, but not a dealbreaker either.
But if sharp corners are something you’re worried about, a round or oval-shaped glass table might be a better fit.
The curved edges are softer and less likely to cause injury if someone bumps into them.
I must say we haven’t had any accidents at home but we don’t have children and it’s mostly just my husband and I at home.
If you’ve got kids or pets constantly running around the dining area, it’s definitely worth keeping in mind that while tempered glass is strong, it can still break under circumstances and broken glass can be dangerous.
Can show feet, pets, and more while dining
We’re a no-shoes household (shoes off as soon as you enter the house!), so this doesn’t really bother us.
But, I know some people might find it a bit off-putting to see things like bare feet, dog drool, or specks of dirt under the table while they’re trying to enjoy a meal.
That’s the thing with glass dining tables. Since you can see right through them, you also see everything underneath.
Side note: we actually find it hilarious seeing our dog watching us intently while we eat. She just sits there, laser-focused, hoping for a crumb to drop. It’s honestly the cutest and funniest part of dinner time!
Non-repairable
Like I mentioned earlier, the scratches on our dining table are here to stay. Unfortunately, there’s no fixing them.
It’s kind of like the “once broken, considered sold!” policy you see in stores.
Once the glass is scratched or broken, there’s no repairing it. If it breaks, you’ll have no choice but to buy a brand new dining table.
Related: 46 Stunning Scalloped Furniture You’ll Love (And Where to Buy Them!)
Rectangle Glass Dining Table Picks
When I first started researching pros and cons of a glass dining table, I found lots of pretty photos but not many real-life experiences.
That’s why I wanted to share what it’s actually like to live with one day in and day out.
If you’re ready to get one, here are some similar glass dining tables to check out!
Love our dining table? The Isidore Extendable Glass Top Dining Table is a spot-on dupe!
1. Azruddin Extendable Glass Top Metal Base Dining Table // 2. Bontrager Extendable Dining Table // 3. Levante Extendable Dining Table
How To Choose A Glass Dining Table
You might be wondering: Are glass dining tables still in style?
While they might not be as popular as wood or marble dining tables, I believe a glass dining table is truly timeless and versatile.
Once you understand the pros and cons of a glass dining table, you can confidently decide if it’s the right fit for your lifestyle and space.
If it is, don’t forget to use this checklist – it helped us to narrow our options down and eventually led us to the perfect glass dining table.
I hope it’ll do the same for you too!
Size
Just like with any dining table, the first thing to think about is how many people will be using it regularly.
Then, look at the size of your space. Measure the area where you plan to place the table and make sure there’s enough room for people to sit and move around comfortably.
The goal is to find a table that fits your lifestyle without making the room feel cramped.
Shape
Glass dining tables come in various shapes. Popular shapes include round, rectangular, square, and oval.
There are also some fun irregular designs in the market, but I highly recommend sticking with a classic shape as it’s much easier to style and won’t go out of trend!
Choose a shape that works best with the layout of your room and the number of people using the dining table.
If you have little kids or pets running around, it is a good idea to go for a round or oval-shaped table to avoid sharp edges.
Quality
I can’t stress this enough – you need to make sure the table is made with high-quality tempered glass.
It’s so much stronger and more durable than regular glass, which means it’s far less likely to crack or shatter.
If you’re investing in a glass dining table, this is one feature you definitely don’t want to skip.
Base / Legs
Glass dining tables often come with a variety of base options – usually metal and wood, and sometimes even acrylic.
When choosing a base, consider not just the style, but also the durability and stability.
You want something that fits your space, supports the glass top securely, and blends well with your overall decor.
Here are a few questions to help you decide on the right base style:
- Are you going for something minimal or a statement piece?
- What other materials are already in the room? Do you want the base to complement or contrast them?
- Will the base make it easy for everyone to sit comfortably and have sufficient legroom around the table?
Price
And lastly, price. It goes without saying, but definitely stick to what works for your budget.
Keep an eye out for sales, promo codes, or even consider buying a display unit like we did!
Unlike couches (which people actually sit on and test out), we were totally fine buying a display dining table.
I mean, no one’s spending hours eating off one in a showroom, right?
So there you have it – the real pros and cons of a glass dining table, based on our experience after seven years of daily use.
Despite the disadvantages of a glass dining table, we still love ours and didn’t replace it even after giving our dining room a makeover.
…But check back in a few years, ok? Who knows, we might feel differently once we have children running around!
