Selecting a dining table for your space is a relatively big decision in terms of home decor. Your family will spend many hours in this space, engaging over meals and sharing each other’s lives.
While you want a dining table that is aesthetically appealing and fits nicely into your existing decor, you need something that is functional when you need it to be.
Two of the most popular options for dining tables are glass and wood tables. To help you decide which is the best option for your needs, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of each type of table and given you some considerations to think about when making your decision.
Glass Dining Tables
A beautiful glass-top dining table looks elegant and sophisticated, while keeping the energy in a room flowing from ceiling to floor. Glass is a beautiful surface for a dining table and can be the perfect fit for the right home and family.
Glass Dining Table Pros
- Stylish design. If style, sophistication, and elegance are what you are seeking, then a glass tabletop will deliver. Glass typically adds a formal feel to your dining room and elevates style. If you host dinner parties or enjoy the feel of modern luxury while you eat, a glass dining table is the perfect option.
- Easy upkeep. A glass dining table is easily cleaned. Because the top is non-porous, you won’t have to worry about a red wine spill staining the surface; simply use a mild cleaner and towel to remove it. It also won’t need regular polishing, just normal cleaning after a meal.
- Keeps the room spacious. Because a glass dining table is transparent, it allows light and energy to pass in and out of the room unobstructed. This can be especially beneficial in a smaller dining room. The glass top will keep the room feeling open and spacious.
Glass table tops also do a better job of reflecting natural light, which can also keep your room feeling open, airy, and larger than it actually is.
Glass Dining Table Cons
- Must be cleaned regularly. If your dining table is used frequently or if it’s in a highly trafficked area of your home, there are going to be fingerprints and smudges galore. You’ll need to clean your glass dining table regularly to keep it looking fresh.
The importance of realizing that a glass table will need regular cleaning is real. With all the beauty a glass table can provide, it can easily become an eyesore if you don’t keep it clean. A glass tabletop that’s smudged with fingerprints is incredibly noticeable, especially when exposed to natural light. - Good flooring and decor are a must. Because glass tables are transparent, the floor underneath will be exposed. If your flooring is in need of repair or pretty outdated, it will be very noticeable. Additionally, your decorative style should match the table. If, for instance, you have a home that is decorated in a farmhouse chic style, a glass dining table can look really out of place. Likewise, if you’re dealing with an outdated room that needs painting or revamping, a glass table will highlight those needs instead of drawing attention away from them.
- Fragile and potentially dangerous. If you have small children or active pets, a glass dining table can be an invitation for disaster. At the very least, they could damage the table, and at the very worst, they themselves could be injured by falling on it.
Additionally, glass breaks. Even if you don’t have any particularly rambunctious family members, there’s always a chance that something could hit the tabletop, causing it to break, chip, or crack. A heavy vase placed on top of the table could potentially get knocked over, or a heavy-handed adult could slam a cup onto the surface, cracking and breaking it. - Cost. A glass dining table will be more expensive for a higher-end piece. If you’re considering buying a glass dining table, take note that you will want to avoid lower-end models which can be made from cheaper, non-tempered glass.
One To Try
We love the Camden dining table for its beautiful, sculptural design, wood veneer pedestal base, and clean lines. The Camden also offers the luxury of a square, glass dining table with safer, softer rounded edges and beveled edges. The look of modern luxury extends to the underside of the table, which is covered with a high gloss lacquer to extend the visual appeal of the table. This table can seat between eight to ten.
Wood Dining Tables
Wood dining tables are traditional, standard, and ambient. They offer durability, beauty, and a noticeable design. A wood table anchors a room and provides a space for decades of memories to be made.
Pros
- Beauty. Wood is visually beautiful. Different colors of rich mahogany and mellow oak blend perfectly with practically any decor. The wood gradient of your table gives it character and makes each table unique.
While wood does give a more traditional look, it can still be sculpted into a table that is contemporary and modern in design, so if you’re looking for something a bit more modern, don’t write it off before seeing available options. - Long-lasting. The quality and design of a solid wood table enable it to last for decades. A wood dining table can even be passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom.
- Ability to refinish. Because wood tables are so durable, you can count on having one for years to come. If you find that your wood table has begun to look outdated or no longer flows with your decor, you can sand and refinish it to give it a completely new look.
The ability to refinish your wood table also makes it an eco-friendly option, as there is a higher chance you’ll use it longer than you will another type of table, which will likely need replacing. - Sizing options. There’s no shortage of supply of wooden dining tables. From two-seat tables to massive banquet-hall-sized tables, there is truly a size and style for any need.
Additionally, a wooden table often features a leaf, which is a way of extending a table that normally seats a limited number of guests to a table that can seat more. This is especially helpful if you only need two to four seats on a regular basis but frequently host larger gatherings.
Cons
- Easily damaged. Wood can be difficult to upkeep in terms of avoiding chips, nicks, scratches, and stains. Especially if your wood dining table isn’t finished or has a very porous surface, it can be more susceptible to stains, so using a tablecloth can be a must.
- Heavier. More often than not, wood dining tables of high quality are exceptionally heavier than other types of dining tables. If you plan to move your dining table to accommodate additional guests, this can be an issue.
- Overpowering. Wood dining tables can be overpowering, especially if used in a smaller dining room. They are large, darker in color, and command attention. It’s important to make sure, then, that a wood table fits the size of the room and isn’t going to make the room feel smaller or cluttered.
- Required cleaning. You’ll need to clean your wood dining table on a regular basis, not just after a meal. A wood dining table will lose its luster if it isn’t regularly polished, so you can plan on polishing or caring for it at least once a week to keep it in good condition.
One to Try
The stunning, understated elegance of the Devereux dining table is remarkable. The construction of this wooden table is modern with a traditional feel.
This table is large enough to fit multiple guests or a large family. The base features elegant brass elements that are bold in design yet blend perfectly with the table and the remainder of your dining room decor.
How to Decide Which is Best for You
If you’re still stuck halfway between glass and wood, here are some ideas to consider that can help you make your decision easier.
- Your family. You know the climate of your household best. Is it wild and a bit chaotic? Would a glass table top have any chance of survival? Are you hosting an elderly relative who has trouble getting around? Are sharp corners a hazard?
No matter how beautiful a table may be, the people who eat around it are the largest factor in determining whether it’s a good fit for your home. - Style of your home. If your home is filled with light, modern furniture, your dining table shouldn’t disrupt that flow. If your home is filled with more wood furnishing, perhaps a wood table would be better suited.
- Price. While you can find a great dining table in your price range in either glass or wood, you want to make sure you get a high-quality piece. If your budget only allows you to get the lowest quality glass table but would afford you a better wooden table, the wooden table may be the better option.
Final Thoughts
Both glass and wood dining tables are elegant, functional, and beautiful. You can determine which is best for you with a little help brainstorming about your family and space. Trust Modloft to help you find the best pieces to fit every space of your home.
Sources:
How To Select Perfect Dining Room Tables | DecoHolic
Dining Table Shapes: Which One Is Right for You? | The Spruce