A glass dining table is an exquisite work of art that exudes timeless beauty and elegance.  When you have one in your home, it can recreate the appearance of your dining room to make it more palatial and elegant.

However, you need to take note that not all glass tables can match the interior design and layout of every dining room.  There are different types and styles of glass tables that are available for you.  So, you need to use your good judgment before you decide to buy one.

To make it easier for you to choose, here is a run down of some of the most popular glass tables that you can use for your dining room:

1.  Round glass dining tables.

These are probably the most popular glass tables that are being commonly used on most households.  Round-styled glass tables offer flexibility in terms of utilizing room space.

You can use such tables on large or medium sized rooms.  You can also seat more people around it and use just a single centerpiece.  Modernity is the central theme of a round glass table so it would be best for contemporary homes.

2.  Rectangular style.

This glass table exudes a royal touch.  It can accommodate 8 to 10 diners and offers you the ability to fully accentuate the table with 2 to 3 centerpieces.  However, a rectangular glass dining table needs ample space and room dimension.

This type of table therefore is not suitable for smaller homes but highly recommended for bigger households and villas.  It also conveys tradition and classicism so the ambiance in your dining room should be subdued.

3.  Square glass table.

This type of glass table is the epitome of modern lifestyles.  It is suitable for small apartments, condos, bachelor’s pad, or townhomes.  Because it will only occupy a small part of the floor area in the dining room, a square glass table is a convenient choice for modern urban professionals.

4.  Fiberglass table set.

Fiberglass construction combines plastic technology and glass craftsmanship.  This type of table is probably the strongest among the glass dining table family.  This is suitable if you have lots of children in the household.  Because a fiberglass does not break easily, accidents and breakage can be prevented effectively.

These are the major styles of glass tables.  Choose one that would be suitable for your needs.  Having a glass dining table will definitely add glamour and elegance to your home

However, you have to take note that glass is a delicate material.  Although most glass dining tables today are tempered for strength and durability, they are also prone to scratches and breakage.  That is why you have to know how to take care of your glass tables to maintain its sparkling elegance.

So, here are some simple maintenance tips for your glass dining table and chairs set.  You can do this task in 5 easy steps.

Step 1:  When buying a new glass table for your dining room, you must also buy rubberized coasters, placemats, and non-slippery plasticized center doilies.  These accessories are your first defense against scratches and breakage.

Step 2:  After every meal, make sure to clean your glass table with mild soap and warm water.  These should be enough to remove oils and food stains.  You have to use non abrasive cloth when cleaning the glass top.  If you have a foam sponge, then this cleaning material should do the trick.

Step 3:  After thoroughly soaping the glass table, you need to buff the surface with dry cotton cloth.  Make sure that the cloth is non-shedding in order to avoid leaving strands or threads on the glass surface.  Suede fabric can also be used to make the glass top shiny and sparkling.  Make sure that the surface is thoroughly dry because moist areas can attract dust and bacteria.

Step 4:  In case an accident happens, there are simple procedures you can do to repair chipped or broken glass.  You can use clear glass epoxy which is widely available on any handyman store.  You should use a clear plastic tape to hold the chipped glass in place until the epoxy hardens.  It is imperative to immediately repair chipped glass because it can inflict serious injury to members of your household.

Step 5:  After many years of use, it is still possible to keep glass dining tables in good condition.  What you should do is to regularly spray a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and water on the surface of glass tables.   The vinegar can deodorize and disinfect the glass while the baking soda serves as the primary cleaning agent to shine the glass surface.

These steps in maintaining the beauty of glass dining tables are not complicated.  Just follow these steps to ensure that your glass tables will always look fresh and clean.

A small sliver of scratch can destroy the elegance and exquisite beauty of glass top dining table.  Although it is true that you can hide it with a place mat or table runner, the problem may grow worse if you will not remove it immediately.

Here is a simple guide which you can follow in order to remove ghastly scratches on glass dining tables.  Take note though that these DIY tips are applicable only for minor and small scratches.  For major defects and damages, it is best to call a professional glass buffer to repair your glass table.  So here it is, the simple solution to glass table scratches:

1.  The first thing you need to do is to determine the extent of the damage.

By understanding the extent of the damage, you can decide if you will repair the scratch by yourself or you will hire a professional to do the job.

Run you forefinger across the scratch.  If you feel a slight hint of bump, then the problem can be solved easily.  However, if you feel a big bump and you think that the scratch can slice your finger, then it is a deep scratch that needs professional attention.

2.  Once you determine that you can do the job by yourself, the next step you need to do is to find an extra strong teeth whitening paste.  In short, you need special toothpaste for teeth whitening.

Put a small amount of toothpaste on top of the scratch and at the surrounding areas.  Let it stand for at least ten minutes so that the paste can settle inside the small scratch.  The polishing paste that you normally use for your car windshield can also remove glass scratches so this is a good alternative.

3.  After ten minutes, put a small cloth around your forefinger and rub the surface vigorously.

This can be very tiring but you need to be patient in order to get the desired effect.  For best results, you can use a hand held electric buffer.  Polish the surface for several minutes until the scratch is removed.

If this procedure fails, simply repeat the process until you get the desired result.  If the scratch remains after several minutes of re-buffing and polishing, then it is probably time to call a professional to repair your glass top dining table.

Aside from beauty and elegance, a glass table for the dining room is easier to clean and maintain.  However, they are breakable so extra care is needed.  To get the full value of your money, here are some useful hints that will help you to identify quality made glass top dining table and chairs.

1.  When buying glass dining table and chairs, the first thing you need to look for is the seal certifying that the glass is tempered.  Tempered glass is stronger and they are designed for safety.

When a tempered glass breaks, it will shatter into millions of small rounded pieces.  This reduces the danger of getting injured with glass shards.  Non-tempered glass usually breaks into big chunks of sharp broken glasses.  The sharp edges of a broken glass are deadly so better avoid the non-tempered variety.

If there are no identifying marks on the glass table or on its packaging, you should ask the supplier if the glass is tempered or not.

2.  When inspecting a glass table, you should run your fingers around its edges.

If the edges are smooth and flawless, then the glass table is quality made.  Do not buy a glass table with rough and bumpy edges.  Such tables pose much risk to your family and they are definitely not crafted well.

3.  You must also inspect the quality of the welding of the metal parts.

Glass dining table and chairs have metal frames and support.  Check the joined parts and see if the welding is smooth and filed carefully.  You also have to look at the underside of the chairs.  The cushion overlap should be tucked neatly on a metal strip and not just stapled on wood.

4.  Lastly, check for scratches on the table top.

Check the surface of the glass by slowly running your hand against it and see if you can catch a scratch.

These are just some of the simple steps that will give you hints if the glass table and chairs are quality made.  You cannot accurately identify small defects on a glass table by simply looking at it.  You have to feel the glass and visually inspect all hidden areas.  If you are satisfied with the quality of the glass dining table and chairs set, then order and pay for it so you can enhance the elegance of your dining room.

That is why this type of glass dining table is very popular.  It can make your dining room elegantly chic and contemporary.  Typically, you do not have to accessorize round glass dining tables.   Because of their intrinsic classiness, there is no need for you to add anything on the table.

But if you want to bedazzle your round glass table to make it look grander, then here are some simple quick fixes to decorate them.

1.  If you have an overhead nook chandelier, you can hang it above your round glass table.

This is particularly useful if your glass table is tinted or black.  The reflection of the lights emitted by the chandelier will look stunning.  It will create an awesome display of light and shadows that will make your dining experience truly satisfying.

2.  Use candles as a centerpiece.

If you can get hold of floating candles, then place them in a bowl of water and put some marbles or gems inside the bowl.  The luminescence of the floating candle on water will create a perfect stream of light on your glass table.  You can use this technique on clear or tinted glass tables.

3.  Find a short crystal vase and fill it with fresh flowers.

Place this vase on the center of the round glass table.  This decor will serve as a highlight in order to make the table livelier.  Do not forget to put a rubberized doily underneath the crystal base in order to avoid scratches on the glass table top.

4.  There are different varieties of centerpieces that you can use.

However, using centerpieces may not be suitable for small round glass dining tables.  If you want to achieve a romantic effect, you can use rose petals and distribute them evenly on top of the table.  Take out your brass candelabra and place it at the center of the table.  So in just a few simple steps, you can now have a romantic dinner in candle light.

The versatility of round glass dining tables make them easier to decorate.  You can create a romantic effect, a formal undertone, or a chic and casual atmosphere by simply bedazzling your round glass table.