What to Know Before Buying Bar Stools
Learn about bar stool types, heights and the one key feature that will make your life a whole lot easier
Becky Dietrich
April 6, 2014
It’s hard to imagine any kitchen without some sort of bar stool. Bar stools have become positively ubiquitous — and for good reason. They allow family, friends and and friends of friends to join us in the kitchen. Kids do their homework sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen counter, where they can finagle help whether it’s needed or not. Dear friends can perch on those same stools, keeping us company while we cook. But before you buy a bar or counter stool, you need to know some basics, such as the stool height you need and the style you want.
How High Should a Bar Stool Be?
“Bar stool” is an overarching term that refers to stools that come in three primary heights: counter height, bar height and spectator (sometimes called stadium).
Counter stools, like these, are designed to be paired with a standard-height counter, which is 36 inches tall. So a counter stools’s seat height ranges from 24 to 26 inches.
“Bar stool” is an overarching term that refers to stools that come in three primary heights: counter height, bar height and spectator (sometimes called stadium).
Counter stools, like these, are designed to be paired with a standard-height counter, which is 36 inches tall. So a counter stools’s seat height ranges from 24 to 26 inches.
Bar stools are meant to be used at the portion of a kitchen counter that is stepped up (usually by 6 inches) from the rest of the counter, usually this portion is 42 inches high rather than 36.
Bar-height stools are also the most common match for pub tables. Their seat height is normally 30 inches.
Bar-height stools are also the most common match for pub tables. Their seat height is normally 30 inches.
Spectator or stadium stools are the tallest. They are designed for use at a 48-inch-high table or counter, so their seat height ranges from 34 to 36 inches tall. This variety of stool is often used when extra height is needed, like for television viewing.
Popular Types of Bar and Counter Stools
All these different heights are fabulous, until you move. I have never managed to move from one house to another without the required stool height’s changing. And the industry has figured this out. Lee Honigsfeld, vice president at Pastel Furniture tells me that adjustable stools are becoming increasingly popular in the bar stool market. With an adjustable stool, one size can fit all types of homes, because its height can change from shorter to taller.
All these different heights are fabulous, until you move. I have never managed to move from one house to another without the required stool height’s changing. And the industry has figured this out. Lee Honigsfeld, vice president at Pastel Furniture tells me that adjustable stools are becoming increasingly popular in the bar stool market. With an adjustable stool, one size can fit all types of homes, because its height can change from shorter to taller.
You can change the height of an adjustable stool with a lever, as shown on this model.
Find adjustable bar stools
Find adjustable bar stools
Swivel stools also remain very popular. Well-made stools can be heavy, so choosing one that swivels saves having to pull it away from the counter to get in, and then having to scoot it back up to the counter so you can reach your plate — a process that’s hard on your back, the floor and your dignity.
The only caveat on swivel stools is if your model has arms. Arms are fabulous for comfort … but if you have young children, you may want to think twice. My grandchildren had a good old time swiveling in our iron bar stools, while the arms kept bashing into the edge of the granite countertop. Breathing fire and brimstone didn’t help; the joy of swiveling back and forth could not be overcome.
Brushed stainless steel is a very hot look in bar stools because it works well in many homes, as opposed to chrome, which may be more narrowly suited to contemporary.
Mixing materials, as in these walnut and chrome bar stools, creates another look that will readily work in a myriad of styles. I love this, as mixing materials is a time-honored method of bringing comfort and warmth to decor.
Honigsfeld is finding that yet another up-and-coming trend is rustic urban. This style features mixed materials — rough, unsophisticated finishes bring the rustic, and clean, spare lines bring the urban — as in these Arteriors wooden counter stools.
Still popular is vintage industrial. (Is this the old name for rustic urban?) Honestly, all these stools that mix materials and styles are a great choice for your home. They will almost always work, no matter where you take your design.
How to Choose Comfortable Bar Stools
Comfort will depend on your personal taste, but you also need to consider whether small children or elderly people are going to be primary users of your stools. Backless stools like these can be perfect where space is limited, or where a minimalistic look is wanted. But bear in mind that most adults will not want to sit there for long, and young ones might find it tempting to lean backward, so consider stools with back for more comfort.
Comfort will depend on your personal taste, but you also need to consider whether small children or elderly people are going to be primary users of your stools. Backless stools like these can be perfect where space is limited, or where a minimalistic look is wanted. But bear in mind that most adults will not want to sit there for long, and young ones might find it tempting to lean backward, so consider stools with back for more comfort.
Tie-on cushions are a fun style statement, plus they pad what can be the hard seat of a wood or metal stool.
But if small children will be using these, watch closely. Youngsters can wiggle around in such a way that the cushion (and thus, the child) hangs precariously off the chair.
But if small children will be using these, watch closely. Youngsters can wiggle around in such a way that the cushion (and thus, the child) hangs precariously off the chair.
Footrests are absolutely critical to comfort, especially for adults. After all, do you like to sit on a chair where your legs dangle with no support?
Finally, if you have a kitchen that does not have an overhang for stools, but you love the concept, consider this imaginative solution. Put a tall table like this one up against your counter and voilà! Instant bar, instant homework station, instant wine and appetizer headquarters, instant welcome.
Browse bar stools and counter stools in the Shop section
More
How to Buy a Sofa
How to Buy a Sleep Sofa
How to Buy a Sectional
How to Buy a Mattress
How to Buy Dining Chairs
How to Buy Dining Tables
Browse bar stools and counter stools in the Shop section
More
How to Buy a Sofa
How to Buy a Sleep Sofa
How to Buy a Sectional
How to Buy a Mattress
How to Buy Dining Chairs
How to Buy Dining Tables
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Is there a "typical" distance between the seat and foot rest of a bar stool?
Thank you for the great article. I just remodeled my kitchen and I removed my bar and had it leveled out with the rest of my counter. So now, I am in the midst of looking for the perfect counter stools. Well, I found them but they only sell them in pairs (x2) and I need 3. I don't want to have to buy 2 sets (4 stools)! Even if I did buy 2 sets, I would try to sell the 4th stool but there's a slim chance that someone will buy only 1 stool. The majority of these sellers will only sell them in pairs...I wished they would sell them individually for those of us who need odd numbers of stools. So essentially, I found my "perfect" stools but I can't get them. :(
Solid construction method for bar stools was missing from this article. What good is everything else if the Stoll falls apart in a year.