What's in this collection
Glass console tables share a transparent top, and the base carries most of the visual work. Slender metal legs in chrome or brushed gold keep things minimal and suit contemporary schemes where the glass quality itself is the point. More structural bases with geometric framing or angular legs give the piece more presence while still allowing the transparency of the top to do its job.
The glass top itself is typically tempered, which makes it considerably more robust in everyday use than ordinary glass. It's not impervious to hard impacts on the edges, but it handles ordinary household contact without issue.
If you're thinking about carrying the glass look through more of the home, the living room pairs naturally with a glass coffee table, and the dining room with glass dining tables. The material language stays consistent across all three without any of the pieces needing to match exactly. Coordinating base finishes, chrome alongside chrome for example, is usually enough to make the scheme read as considered.
Where a glass console table works best
Hallways are the strongest use case, particularly narrow or darker ones. Glass keeps the floor visible and doesn't add the visual bulk that a stone or solid-top table would, which is the difference between a hallway that feels dressed and one that feels cramped. It suits contemporary and modern homes especially well, though a glass top sits more neutrally across styles than either marble or mirrored.
In a living room, a glass console table typically goes behind a sofa or against a wall that would otherwise be bare. The transparency works in its favour here too: behind a sofa, a glass table doesn't interrupt the visual line of the room in the way a solid-top piece might. If the living room already has a lot going on, glass is one of the less intrusive ways to add a surface.
It's worth being honest about the maintenance consideration. Glass shows fingerprints and dust clearly, which in a hallway with regular foot traffic and in homes with children means wiping it down frequently. A microfibre cloth handles it quickly, but the frequency is higher than with marble console tables, which tend to be more forgiving of everyday contact. That trade-off is worth factoring in before you buy rather than after.
Sizing and fit
Depth is the most critical measurement for any hallway console table, and glass doesn't change that. You still need to leave enough room to walk past comfortably with a coat on and bags in hand. The advantage glass brings is that even if the clearance is modest, the table won't make the hallway feel more confined than it actually is.
Width should suit the wall it's going against. Leave a gap on either side rather than running the table edge to edge, and think about how the width relates to anything above it, such as a mirror or wall light. A table significantly narrower than the mirror above tends to look unintentional, regardless of material.
Height across the console table category is broadly consistent, but check the specific piece if you're placing it behind a sofa in a living room. It needs to clear the sofa back comfortably without sitting so high that it reads as a sideboard rather than a console. If you'd like to go through measurements before ordering, get in touch and we can help.
Spreading the Cost
Finance is available on many of our console tables, subject to status. It's a straightforward option if you'd prefer to spread the cost rather than pay for everything upfront.
Details of the available finance options are on the website. If you have any questions before placing an order, get in touch and we'll talk you through it.
Why buy from Shawcross
We're a Manchester-based furniture retailer with a physical showroom where you can see furniture in person before buying. For a glass console table, where the base detail and the quality of the glass make more difference than any photograph can show, seeing it in person is worth the trip if you're considering a larger purchase.
We deliver nationally across the UK. Our team is on hand at any stage, whether you need help with measurements, want to compare glass against another material, or just want a second opinion before committing.
