The latest trend for the home is crystal clear – glass or acrylic furniture, both mirrored and transparent, writes Gabrielle Fagain.

These pieces seem to float in a space, rather than crowding it like bulky furniture. That means they really come into their own in smaller spaces, and will bounce the light and lift the eye rather than cluttering the room.

Glass-topped dining tables and coffee tables are already a well-established feature of interior design with good reason – not only can they look stunning, but they also allow an unobstructed view of beautiful carpets and floors.

Nowadays, there’s no need to limit yourself to those items, as there’s a world of mirrored or see-through furniture and accessories available.

Contemporary acrylics can of course be moulded into any shape, so there are chairs replicating some of the 20th century’s classic designs, as well as sleek display cases, stands for books or hi-fi and everything from magazine racks to clocks.

By contrast, 30s-style mirrored furniture evokes the decadent glamour of the Art Deco era, while modern glass furniture looks sleek, and streamlined.
Marrying vintage and modern pieces – so much the current fashion in interiors – is easy with this furniture.

Its simplicity and clean lines means it can sit beside the most ornate period furniture and complement rather than detract from it.

So see the light with pieces that are clear winners.

COFFEE TABLES

  • Marks & Spencer’s lean, sleek glass coffee table, £349, would suit any room, and it also has an Antique-effect brass coffee table with a glass top, £350.
  • Those who love funky, sculptural shapes will love GreenApple's Fiocco coffee table, £650. This company has one of the most comprehensive collections of glass furniture and accessories.
  • MultiYork has the Eclipse collection, a modern twist on glassware, bringing together the strength of steel and the purity of glass. Its Medium Circular Wire Table costs £579.

NEST OF TABLES

  • These are so useful, and ideal when space is limited. Hard to beat for quality and value is the Vision set of three clear acrylic tables, £79.99, from Argos.
  • Marks & Spencer’s nest of three glass coffee tables, £349, is streamlined and chic.

CHAIRS

  • There are two see-through chairs reflecting iconic designs and are part of the impressive range of seating offered by The Chair Company.
    The Louis Ghost armchair, £137, has become a style essential. It was inspired by the original Louis XVI chair and was redesigned by Philippe Starck for Kartell. It's suitable for indoor and outdoor use and is scratch resistant.
  • Shaped like a Martini glass the ERO/S chair, £260, also designed by Starck, is a modern tribute to chairs designed by Eero Saarinen in the 1950s.

DINING TABLES

  • Ocean has a great range of glass-topped tables in clear or frosted glass on steel frames. Its City Extending dining table, £645, can double in size and seats six to eight. Or try the attractive Rectangular Frost dining table, £225.
  • Check out John Lewis' Espresso Dining Table with glass top and bitter chocolate steel legs, £550.

STORAGE

  • Use a Slim Mini Shelf unit in steel and glass, £29.95, from Ocean for books and ornaments.
  • Minimise the bulk of hi-fi and television equipment with glass stands from Home Frenzy. A KoKo bent-glass plasma TV stand costs £736, or its Easy Driver, £428.
  • An Italian designed desk made from a single piece of curved glass would star in any office. It costs £1,495 from Ocean.

MIRRORED FURNITURE

  • There’s nothing like the glamour of mirrored furniture, and Laura Ashley’s Gatsby collection is beautifully styled and competitively priced. Gatsby chest of drawers, £1,250, dressing table, £550, side table, £350.
  • Alternatively, opt for mirrored side tables, such as designer, Andrew Martin's Mirror Cube Side table, £595.

ACCESSORIES

  • If you’re nervous about stepping into a see-through world, experiment with a few small pieces. GreenApple has a stunning Arco coatstand, £800, which rather resembles a bouquet of glass snow skis.
  • Turn to the light with GreenApple's table lamp, £300, with the base a pyramid of glass wedges.
  • Tuck magazines into an Acrylic magazine rack, £29.95, from Ocean. Complement the look with a see-through Acrylic tray, £19.95, and a Frost Wall clock, which has a frosted-glass face and clear glass numerals, £24.95 all from its range.

CLEAR TIPS

  • Fingerprints and marks are obvious on mirrored and perspex surfaces, so be prepared for regular cleaning.
  • These tables and coffee tables shouldn't be over-cluttered, as that negates their light, minimalist look.
  • Remember that glass tables may not be safe if there are small children in the house.