The transparent, weightless appearance of a glass dining table adds a touch of elegance to any dining room or eat-in kitchen. However, their see-through quality also makes decorating glass table tops more challenging compared to wood or opaque surfaces. Everything underneath shows through, so you’ll need to take special care when dressing up your glass table with linens, dinnerware and accessories. Follow these tips to artfully accentuate the beauty of your glass dining furniture.
Soften with Table Linens and Runners
While you can leave a solid wood dining table bare, an uncovered glass table looks harsh and unfinished, fully exposing the base and floor underneath. Adding tablecloths, placemats and table runners helps soften the stark transparent plane. Fabric overlays define the functional dining surface. For glass tables, select soft fluid fabrics like linen, cotton or blended textures over stiff synthetics, which can chafe against glass edges. Set the scene with ornamental cloth napkins, charger plates or doilies at each place setting to enrich the tablescape.
Use Opaque Centerpieces to Conceal Bases
Low floral arrangements, fruit bowls, candles and other opaque decorative elements on the tabletop help visually block distracting views under the glass. Centerpieces should be thick and substantial enough to fully conceal table bases. For example, a clear glass vase still reveals cluttered legs and pedestals behind it. Choose solid decorative items as focal points in the middle of the table. Just keep height low enough to enable diners to easily converse over and across your center display.
Anchor the Table with an Area Rug Underneath
Placing an area rug underneath the glass dining table helps anchor it visually within the surrounding space. Match rug colors, patterns and textures to your existing decor scheme. An area rug provides sound dampening against echoing hard flooring and gives warmth against cold tile or wood. Just avoid excessively thick, plush rugs that create an uneven wobbly base for the table to rest on. For the most stable support, choose thin flatwoven or low-pile rugs. Trim edges so rug dimensions are parallel with the table legs and do not extend beyond.
Conceal Awkward Bases and Legs with Decorative Covers
One dilemma with transparent table tops is that unappealing tangles of legs, cross braces, pedestals and hardware underneath show plainly through the glass. For smaller round or square glass tables, place the entire piece on top of a decorative area rug or large serving tray to conceal the base and create a tidier overall look. On longer tables, use full-length tablecloths or solid table runners to visually hide messy bases from view. For ultimate concealment, incorporate surrounding furniture like a storage ottoman that also disguises the base frame while providing additional seating.
Discreetly Manage Cords to Avoid Clutter
Electrical cords for tabletop lighting or electronics can ruin the clean, minimalist aesthetic of a glass dining table. Attach cord covers neatly along table legs or the underside edge of glass to neatly contain wires. Place electrical outlets as discreetly as possible in the floor or wall so that cords don’t trail messily across surrounding floorspace.
Dress Up Place Settings with Ornate Dinnerware
Rather than plain white porcelain place settings, use the transparency of a glass table to show off decorative plates, chargers, glassware and utensils. Experiment with eclectic place settings featuring painted ceramic, hammered metal, or handcarved chargers to ornament each place. Just take care to avoid any dinnerware, serving pieces or table decor with surfaces that may clash or easily show fingerprints and water spots through the glass.
Incorporate Table Runners for Pops of Color
Placing table runners down the center of a rectangular or oval glass tabletop provides color while also concealing any cracks, scratches or other imperfections in the glass. Try table runners made from natural textiles like jute, hemp, linen or cotton fibers for an organic look. Runners are also easy to change out to refresh your tablescape with seasonal colors or for special occasions and holidays.
Display Your Finest Serving Pieces
A glass dining table lets you transform your finest serving platters, bowls, tureens and tabletop accessories into decorative elements. Arrange flowering pottery, stacked decorative plates or glass candleholders atop the table to ornament it when not in use. Display fruit or floral arrangements as edible centerpieces. Just be sure to keep vignettes minimal and orderly so as not to appear cluttered.
Light the Table Strategically to Avoid Glare
Suspended pendant lights or an overhead dining room chandelier illuminated the glass tabletop beautifully when entertaining. The transparency refracts and reflects candlelight enchantingly. Just avoid intense side lighting that can create distracting glare on the glass. Dimmed low-wattage bulbs in multiple small fixtures create a warmer ambiance.
Select a Graceful, Sturdy Base Style
Choose table base designs with clean lines that complement the lightness of the glass top. A gleaming chrome pedestal base elevates the floating tabletop, while an organic earthenware or sustainably harvested wood base brings natural warmth. Avoid heavy ornate metalwork that competes with the transparent glass top, which should be the focal point. The sturdiest bases provide stability and smoothly complement your decor.
With creatively layered fabrics, strategic lighting, and a bit of concealment for the base, even amateur decorators can transform a basic glass dining table into a captivating showpiece suited for both family meals and formal entertaining. Play up its luminous transparent qualities while discreetly hiding any unsightliness for elegantly functional style.
