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When is a 24' counter stool not a 24' counter stool?

12 years ago

I am a lurker with a problem. I recently renovated my kitchen and ordered custom stools for my island. Now that they are here I cannot use them because they are too short.

I have a standard 36" island. I ordered three 24" leather counter stools from Hancock and Moore. When my beautiful stools came, I sat down and was shocked to find myself at chest level with my island. And I am 5'8" tall!

My DH measured the stools and found the wooden frames are 22 inches tall. I spoke with the owner of the store where I ordered the stools. He said stools are measured from the tallest point of the seat. He also said it is standard that there is some "give" in a leather seat. That was the first I heard of that. I would think, depending of the padding, that a stool height could vary quite a bit using that criteria. I assumed the measurement went from the floor to the top of the seat edge, not the raised middle of the seat.

Is there a standard? Has anyone else experienced this?

Featured Answer

sas95

12 years ago

The measurement we were given for our stools was to the top of the seat. I remember asking why the stool was a little higher than others (around 26.5"), and the salesman told me the cushion was thicker than most.

Comments (6)

jscout
12 years ago
That's an excellent question! But I don't have an answer for you. Did you have a chance to see the stools in the store? One thing I've learned it to always carry a tape measure and do my own measurement where possible. I have a tough time trusting specs after similar experiences to yours.
auntiem8
Original Author
12 years ago
Unfortunately no. They were not in the showroom. I did ask my kitchen designer what size stools would work and she said 24"- 26". I even sent her a picture of the stools before I ordered them. I'm guessing she did not know about the "give" in the measurement.
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Mercymygft
12 years ago
My stools are 24" to the top of the seat and are perfect for my counter height peninsula. Are you saying they are 22" to the top of the seat or the frame... because to the top of my frame they are 22".
angela12345
12 years ago
My stools are right at 24" (maybe 23.75?) to the top part of the seat hard edge. With 23" to the bottom of the underside of the seat, plus the seat putting it at 24", and the cushion/padding, they are 25.5" total at the tallest point. My cushioning has a lot of give so it's about 24.5" when I am sitting on it. But, I am only 5'2" so I am at chest level too, LOL.

Can they be returned ?
auntiem8
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for all the info.

Sorry I wasn't clear mercymygft, 22" to the top of the frame.

Wish I had your sales rep sas9! The salesperson I normally deal with was going on vacation and he told me I could place the order with anyone because they were not on commission. I didn't like the salesperson I was dealing with but did not want to be rude, so I placed the order with her. I probably would have gotten better info from my regular guy. I called the manufacturer and they told me I could have had the stools made anywhere from 24-30 inches. Sigh.

They cannot be returned angela12345 because they were a custom order. On a positive note, I have been a regular customer of the furniture store for many years. They have taken the stools back and are looking to see if they can add some inches under the seat. If they can't maybe you can give me some pointers on eating at chest level:)

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