Bar Stool Buying Guide – Helpful Tips
During the last years, we witnessed a major comeback of the kitchen bar. It can take the form of an island, counter, or a proper bar. The popularity was encouraged by how much a home bar suits our current lifestyles. It’s a place of great versatility, regardless of the situation. Enjoy a quick breakfast, work from home, or help your kids with their homework.
But how do you choose a bar stool for your kitchen? The perfect bar chairs must be comfortable, match your interior style, and be child friendly. Due to their design, bar stools become the focal point of your dining area. Keep on reading our guide on how to choose the right bar chairs and find the perfect solution for your home.
How to choose the right dimensions for your bar stools
Unlike dining chairs and tables that come in standard dimensions, bar stools and counters have different heights and sizes. So, to make the best choice, start with the correct measurements. To understand what height should bar stools be, we have to take a look at the most popular bar chairs:
- Counter stools - regular height of 60 to 66 cm
- Bar chairs - following the standard bar measurements of 71 to 83 cm
- Extra-tall bar stools - super tall chairs that reach a height of 86 to 101 cm
Bar chairs have different heights, which will definitely affect the comfort you get while sitting. Therefore, measure the bar, counter, or island in advance. A counter stool has the right functionality when paired with a counter that’s 90 cm tall. If you want the authentic bar experience at home, go for bar chairs and match them with an island that has a height of 104 to 110 cm. You can also choose super tall bar chairs for your impressive counter measuring up to 111-119 cm.
Consider the way you’re planning to use your home bar to know how tall bar stools should be for your counter height. The simplest rule to remember when choosing the right height for your bar stools is to keep the average distance of 25-30 cm from your chair seat to the bottom of your counter.
Which style of bar chairs suits your home?
Bar stools are available in a rich variety. Now, let’s talk comfort. Depending on the type of chair you choose, you’ll get a different kind of seating comfort.
Backless bar stools are ideal for smaller spaces, since you can easily tuck them beneath the counter. Although one of the most popular choices, the backless stool can be a bit uncomfortable when sitting for longer periods of time.
Swivel stools are a great alternative to heavy bar chairs, allowing a very convenient functionality. Plus, swivel bar chairs will definitely protect your floors from the constant movement of the regular stools.
To add a touch of style and comfort, choose bar chairs with arms. These are perfect for a long lunch, especially when you have kids. Take it one step further and go for upholstered bar stools, if elegance is what you’re looking for.
Details that matter when looking for the perfect bar chairs
Picking the correct height of your new bar chairs is very important but another aspect to take into consideration is the number of stools you need. To know how many bar chairs you need, think of the number of people you want to accommodate.
Then, take a look at your counter or island. Its length will determine how many bar chairs you can fit. For an adult to sit comfortably next to each other, you must allow plenty of space around the chair. Consider having 66 to 76 cm between the centre of one stool and the centre of the one placed next to it.
Materials
After deciding on the type of bar chair, it’s time to choose a material. Depending on your preferred style, some materials can be a better fit than the others. Metal stools are super modern and work like magic in an industrial or contemporary style. Wooden bar chairs are warmer and easier to style – plus, they suit every décor. Rattan and wicker bar stools are an excellent choice too. Lightweight and practical, they will add a touch of bohemian vibe to your dining area.
Style & colour
Should your bar stools match your dining chairs? There’s no rule and your style preference is the only thing that matters. Mix and match, for a creative dining room look that you’ll enjoy every day.
The same goes for the colour of the bar chairs. Depending on the upholstery, you can get creative and work with faux leather or various fabrics, in colours that match your existing interior look. Brighten up your place with neutral colours when you used stronger shades for the rest of the kitchen. Another option is to combine wooden or rattan stools with some colourful ones.
With all this in mind, you’re just one click away from finding the perfect bar stools. For more inspiration, take a look at our favourite bar chairs below!