| In many households, the family room is where most of | | | | the room, but I realized that this glass coffee table did |
| the action takes place. We watch TV shows and | | | | not take up the visual space that a wood table might |
| movies, we eat, the kids socialize with friends and do | | | | have. I had a full-sized glass coffee table, but because |
| homework, we take naps, and we hold parties. | | | | of its clear top and its wrought iron base, you could |
| Outside the kitchen, it's the place that gets the biggest | | | | see completely through it. The great upholstery I picked |
| workout, at least in my home. The furniture needs to | | | | for the sofa and the area rug was visible below the |
| be comfortable, hold up to wear and tear, and for | | | | table were the starring elements in the decor. This |
| most of us, still convey a sense of style. | | | | glass table let me highlight the other design elements in |
| Why would I then select a glass coffee table for this | | | | the room. |
| space? It's an accident waiting to happen, you might | | | | Time came to outfit another room--this time, a smaller, |
| say. But I've had more than one glass coffee table, | | | | more cozy space. What would look good in front of |
| and the fact that I've bought more than one shows | | | | the antique love seat in my library? A small space |
| that they work for me. | | | | called for less visual clutter. What did I find that fit the |
| When I had a baby cruising the living room furniture, I | | | | space? Another glass coffee table, this time, an oval |
| was anxious about the hard-edged wood table we | | | | inset in a bronze metal frame with slender support |
| had. I found a wicker coffee table, one with soft, | | | | bars. Again, it takes up no visible weight, but still suits |
| rounded edges and a glass insert for the table top. I did | | | | the decor of the room. My newest glass coffee table |
| pause at the thought of adding glass to the equation | | | | is light, so it's easy to move, and it's a snap to clean. |
| with a toddler in the house. Instead, the rounded wicker | | | | You can find a glass coffee table in nearly any size, to |
| was a safe choice, and the baby never tried to play | | | | match any décor. Look for them in wood with glass |
| with, sit on, or otherwise damage the tempered glass | | | | inserts, with a metal base that supports a floating glass |
| that was inset into the wicker surface. In fact, the | | | | top, on top of a wicker or rattan base, with |
| glass top was a great surface for modeling clay or | | | | contemporary geometric glass tops and a minimal |
| drawing paper. Cleanup was as easy as a wipe with | | | | metal frame, or even a trunk with a glass lid that |
| glass cleaner and a paper towel. | | | | provides a display space beneath its top surface. But |
| When the kids got a little older, and we added furniture | | | | to avoid injury in an unlikely accident, it's important to |
| to the house, I did not hesitate to buy another glass | | | | ensure that the glass is tempered, and that it sits solidly |
| coffee table. This time, I found the perfect one to place | | | | on its base. |
| in front of my new sofa-a rectangle glass top with a | | | | Choosing a glass coffee table provides a versatile, |
| rolled edge and a solid, wrought iron base that | | | | easy-to-care-for, stylish addition to your home. |
| provided a shelf for books. Not only did it look great in | | | | |