At Fresh Living, we recognize the debate between a glass tabletop and a wood table is ongoing, so let’s get the final point out of the way first: at the end of the day, it’s what you prefer in your home. There. I said it.
For those looking at purchasing a new table, there will be options in both categories to choose from that will brilliantly fit your space. Here are some points for you to consider, from both sides of the discussion.
Let’s start with glass tables. Glass has been around in some form or another for thousands of years, waxing and waning in popularity as a furnishing luxury. These days, it represents a modernity and a sense of sophistication, though it also holds an element of simplicity; they work in nearly every space, and can match up with most decor. They’re forgiving in that sense, often maintaining a sense of timelessness as the world changes around them. That’s a big leg up when comparing to the wooden alternatives. Glass tabletops, like mirrors, can create the illusion of added space, as well. While they may require more regular cleaning, as dust settles noticeably on the surface and fingerprints are easy to spot, that cleaning should take a fair 30 seconds with a decent cloth and cleaner.
Further into the negatives, glass tables aren’t exactly kid-friendly. Sharper edges may be a thing of the past with many designs, but they still hold a certain danger on that front, in addition to the threat of a single, heavy impact damaging the table beyond repair. They are also cold to the touch; resting one’s arms on a glass table doesn’t have the same appeal as the warmth of wood.
Speaking of, let’s start with the warmth of wood; on one hand, it’s literal, from a colour palette somewhere in the red scheme, and on the other hand, it’s visceral, driven from the table you sat around at an older relative’s house. Wood stands a better chance of evoking memory. Wood tables are also incredibly durable. Their frames and tops, while easier to malign in a cosmetic sense, stand the overall test of time better than glass. They are far better suited to a growing family for their forgiving corners and formidable finishes, making them resistant to stain. Wooden tables can also be as intricate and ornate as you like, offering a wide array of designs, wood colours, and finishing oils.
All that said, a growing family can do a number on maintaining perfection with your surface; to a glass table’s credit, glass can absorb smaller shocks well, whereas a wood table could chip if the corner of a glass is driven in hard enough. Further, if the proper finishes aren’t applied, water rings are in your table’s future. They’re also substantially more cumbersome than a glass table, although that solidity is only a major factor on moving day.
In closing, function over form suits many. Creating that perfect living space is a never-ending pursuit, and we at Fresh Living hope our design ideas can inspire you to find the table that works best for your home.
