Large Glass Coffee Tables
Buy the best large glass coffee tables selected and recommended by interior designers. By Caroline Patterson.
If you have a lot of space and you want to give your living room a contemporary coffee table, then look no further than these large glass coffee tables. They are well made with solid support structures and a modern design that will fit with any decor. The glass is thick, and sturdy, and will easily handle whatever you want to put on it.
Large Glass Coffee Tables
Buying Guide
Caroline Patterson
Interior Design Expert
Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.
Large glass coffee tables are stylish and contemporary. They reflect and refract natural light around the room, helping to make your living space feel larger.
Glass is a relatively easy material to wipe down and clean. However, glass coffee tables are easier to scratch than those made from wood, plastic, and metal.
To protect your large glass coffee table from scratches, clean the table’s surface with a soft microfiber cloth. If you notice a blemish, apply a small dab of toothpaste to a damp rag and gently rub the scratch in circular motions for about 30 seconds. Use a clean cloth to wipe away the toothpaste. If you’re going to place something sharp or hot on your glass coffee table, like a coffee mug, or an angular plant vase, make sure you’re using a coaster or a decorative tray to protect the glass from scratches.
Your best option for cleaning glass coffee tables is to use a specialized glass cleaner that won’t leave streaks or smudges. Use a clean microfiber cloth for lint- and scratch-free cleaning.
Warm or hot water works for dust removal. However, avoid using soap with water, as it tends to leave streaks on the glass. Also, dry the surface thoroughly to prevent subtle water lines.
You can also use white vinegar for tough-to-clean sticky spots. White vinegar has a distinctive smell, but you can mask it with a few drops of lemon juice or essential oils. This needs to be rinsed thoroughly with fresh water before using the table again.
Technically, hot mugs can sit directly on large glass coffee tables, especially if they are made of tempered glass. However, the risk to non-tempered glass comes from the sudden drastic temperature change. For example, if you spill hot coffee on a table and then immediately clean it with cold water, the glass could crack.
Fortunately, most modern coffee tables are made of tempered glass for maximum safety. Glass that is more than ½” thick may not always be tempered, so check the manufacturer’s specifications closely before buying.
Another risk comes from the bottom of the ceramic mug scratching or even chipping the glass top. To prevent this, use a cloth or cork coaster. For better thermal protection, use a ceramic tile coaster with a flat piece of cork glued to the bottom.