Clear/Tempered Glass

Clear glass is one of the more common secondary materials in furniture and has a long history of use across a wide range of styles and applications.

The most obvious use is tabletops — dining tables, coffee tables, end tables, and desks. Glass tops are popular because they protect the surface underneath while keeping it visible, which works especially well on decorative bases or tables with interesting wood grain you want to show off. They also give a space a lighter, more open feel than a solid wood top.

Cabinet door inserts are another very common application. Clear glass fronts on display cabinets, bookcases, and china cabinets allow contents to be seen while keeping them protected. It’s a classic detail that works across traditional, transitional, and contemporary styles.

Shelving is another area where glass shows up regularly. Glass shelves in display cabinets and wall units allow light to pass through and keep the interior of a piece feeling open rather than heavy.

From a practical standpoint, thickness matters quite a bit. Thicker glass reads as more substantial and high quality, and is necessary for larger spans. For most tabletop applications, three-eighths to half-inch glass is standard. Tempered glass is strongly recommended for any furniture application as it’s significantly stronger than standard glass and breaks into safer, rounded chunks rather than sharp shards if it does break.

Polished edges, beveled edges, and flat polished edges all give a different look and feel to a finished piece.

Clear glass shows fingerprints and smudges readily, which is probably its biggest practical downside in daily use. It also requires adequate support and should not span large distances without proper framing or a thick enough profile.