Guide to Bar Stool Heights and Styles

Whether you are looking for home bar furniture, or you want to update your kitchen with some new seating, shopping for bar stools isn’t as simple as you might think. There are a lot of things to take into consideration, both practical and aesthetic. Make sure you are well-informed before you jump into a purchase!

Heights

When it comes to the bar stool height you choose, you must factor in how tall the counter or table it will be placed beside is. Here are the most common heights of bar stools and the counter heights they match best with:

It is essential to measure your counter or table first, as you can see. That way the bar stool you pick will look and feel natural beside it.

Another important factor is the amount of leg room available. A good rule of thumb is that there should be 9 to 12 inches between the top of the stool and the bottom edge of the countertop.

Finally, you should decide the quantity of bar stools you want. This is easy enough if you know how long your counter is. It is standard to leave 26 to 30 inches between the center of each stool, so your guests will have enough space to eat and socialize comfortably.

Styles

Once you know the specs you need to keep in mind, you can start exploring different styles to see what would work best in your home. What is the design scheme of the room they’ll be used in? How do you want them to add to the space?

If you are looking for something formal, traditional bar stools would be a good choice. They are often made of darker woods and feature ornate details. Rustic bar stools are more casual, with distressed wood, chipped paint, or two-tone finishes. They’d look right at home in your basement bar or country kitchen.

Contemporary and modern bar stools are sleek with clean lines, creating eye-catching silhouettes, and they are often made of metal, plastic, or molded wood. Or, if you want to keep it simple, transitional bar stools go well with nearly any home décor.

Features

A few other details will come into play when you shop. Bar stools are constructed with durability in mind, so you’ll be picking the frame materials primarily based on appearance. For example, metal bar stools look modern, while wooden bar stools are more traditional.

Seat materials come with a different set of considerations. Upholstered or leather bar stools may look attractive, but if they are going to be getting a lot of use, you may want something that’s easier to clean, like metal or wood.

Bar stools may or may not have arms, and there are multiple backrest styles out there. Bar stools with backs offer comfort and support, and backless bar stools are quite casual. Some specific back types include the ladder back, the mission back, the cross back, and the Windsor back.

A couple of special features are swiveling and height adjustment. Swivel bar stools can be moved back and forth easily and rotated. They are more fun to sit on, and you won’t feel so restricted. Bar stools with adjustable heights help children and adults alike sit comfortably. Use the lift to get the stool at just the right position.

Here is a list of more bar stool styles and features:

• Wicker/Rattan Bar Stools are casual chairs that can be utilized in the kitchen or sunroom for a nice warm look. This timeless piece of furniture is light-weight, and for extra comfort add suitable cushioning.
• Stone Bar Stools are natural and durable. These chairs are perfect for modern designs, and at times can serve as seating as well as table space.
• Cottage Bar Stools pair well with country decor. With an array of colors and designs, this style is a great way to deck out your bar counter.
• Storage Bar Stools can be slid underneath spaces or nicely tucked away to optimize space. Try these versatile pieces of furniture in small spaces.
• Adirondack Bar Stools are ideal for outdoors. Made of Polywood lumber, these chairs do not splinter, crack, chip, peel or rot.
• Hand Painted Bar Stools invite a touch of personalization to your eating area. These pieces come in a variety of styles from simple to quite eclectic.
• Nailhead Detail Bar Stools offer a refined statement to any style. From traditional to contemporary furniture, the nailhead trim is an all time favorite addition to accent your piece.
• Stackable Bar Stools provide optimization of space. For versatile spaces consider these chairs that are easy to store away.
• Tufted Bar Stools offer back support with a sophisticated design. These stools can be used at a table or counter space, or even added to a commons area for additional seating.
• Armless Bar Stools are a classic. With, or without backs, these stools have countless styles to choose from.
• Butterfly Leaf Bar Stools are an exceptional match with a butterfly leaf table. Add more chairs to the extended table or simply capitalize on the added space.
• Corner Bar Stools are highly functional and can be placed anywhere. Add to your bar space or favorite room for extra seating.
• Extension Bar Stools are perfect for varying counter heights. Use these chairs in multiple rooms by adjusting the height to fit any counter or bar.
• Reclaimed Bar Stools are excellent for urban interior design. These wooden pieces will also complement practically any color scheme.

At Goedeker’s, we carry a huge selection of bar stools from top furniture brands, like Fine Mod Imports, Safavieh, and Signature Design by Ashley. Outfit your kitchen or home bar at a price you can afford thanks to our daily savings.