The Best Bar Stools Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Top Best Bar Stools Based on Reviews and Price
How to Choose the Best Bar Stools?
Your home bar will not be complete without bar stools. But do you have any idea how you will choose the right bar stools for your home bar?
Will you buy a bar stool because of its looks only, or you will choose the one with fancy features and designs? Of course, not.
Different from traditional kitchen chairs, The right bar stools should be able to blend perfectly with your bar, matching the style and design. The barstools should have the right height for the counter. Your guests should feel comfortable so they can spend more time at your place.
There are lots of bar stools that you can choose from, so before heading to the store to buy seats, consider the factors enumerated below to make your shopping and selection process easy.
10 Factors to Consider When Buying Bar Stools
1. Counter Height
Barstool height is the first factor you need to consider. Measure the counter height from the floor to the top or bottom of your counter bar. The general height of commercial bar counters in a restaurant or pub is at 40-42 inches tall. For this type of counter, the best seat height is 30 inches; this will have enough space for the person to sit and comfortably.
Most houses have Breakfast or kitchen bar with a counter height of 36 inches. The bar stool should have a seat height of 24-26 inches. You can decide later on whether to have fixed height stool or get the adjustable stool.
2. Match the House Style
Why is it important to consider? Buying bar stools that fit the style of your house assures that the appliance is a perfect addition. You should make all furniture, such as kitchen island, end table, coffee table, or benches, in the same style. It will be odd to look at if the appliance or furniture in one room will not blend well in the house interior.
Most of the bar stools are made of wood, which fits perfectly in rustic style homes. Others are made of metal or plastic that blends well with contemporary bar stools.
Choose a bar stool that fits well with both the type and area of your home, such as coastal style gray bar stools if you are living near the beach. If you are living in a high-rise apartment, it is best to choose a contemporary metal bar stools.
Traditional bar stools usually have a wood frame with dark finish and leather upholstered seating to provide a formal and stately appearance in the area.
Rustic style bar stools are a combination of two-tone and mixed materials finishes. To add a casual, country look choose stools made of distressed wood with lighter finishes.
To industrial styled home, choose the one made of durable materials and with modernized function. The style generally features wood or raw metal.
3. Focus on Convenient Features
Convenient features are essential to keep your guests comfortable. Choose bar stools with adjustable height. It is somewhat similar to the chairs used in the barbershop. This type of chair can accommodate users of different height.
How tall your bar stools can be is also important when choosing. It would be nice if you pick one with footrest, so your guests will have somewhere to rest their feet on.
Aside from the above mentioned convenient features, here are other things you need to consider:
- Arms
If you want formal looking armrests bar stools, you can decide whether to choose the padded or cushioned arms for a more comfortable seating experience. Bar stools with wooden arms is also a good choice since it provides more structure and function. Don’t forget to measure the height of your counter to make sure the bar stools will fit underneath the tabletop.
- Backrest Full Back
It provides added stability and more comfort when sitting. This type of bar stool is recommended if you plan to sit on it for an extended period. You can also choose stools without backrest if you want it more casual. If your concern is a convenience in storing, this sleek frame makes it easy.
- Swivel
The swivel feature is convenient and at the same time, a fun feature of bar stools. The users can rotate the seats as the other parts of the stool remains stationary. It makes sitting and standing easy without having to move the entire seat.
- Adjustable Height
Choose bar stools with a hydraulic pump or airlift level, so it is easy to adjust the height depending on the user’s preference. This feature will make adjusting the height easy. Even small children can sit on it.
4. Materials
Choose bar stools that are made of durable materials that can withstand daily use. This is one factor that you should not ignore. If you made the right choice, you would be spending more time sitting on it.
The most common material used for bar stools is wood, as it is known for its durability and traditional look. This material, mainly the European beech wood, is just like Oak, but it is more uniform with some variation of color. It is much easier to work with and is widely used for flooring because it is very durable. It also adds to the aesthetic look of your counter.
If you want something that will make your countertop look stylish and luxurious, choose the leather bar stools. Metal and plastic bar stools will look good in a modernized counter. It is also very durable. Regardless, make sure you have an idea on how to clean it in case of spillage.
5. Color Palette
Most of the bar stools in the market have solid colors because it fits different types of rooms and blends perfectly without overshadowing it. Before you decide, it is best to check out other color patterns as there are lots of available colors that could enhance your home bar.
To help you decide on colors, here are some factors that you can keep in mind. Check the color of your kitchen cabinets make sure the stools will complement them. Another thing you can consider is the color of your kitchen island. The stool and the tabletop must complement each other.
It is best to consider all the shades of your kitchen before deciding on the bar stool color.
6. Number of Bar Stools
Determining the right number of bar stools for your counter is easy. Follow the industry standard to have at least 26 to 30 inches distance between each bar stool. This will be enough spacing so users can eat, move, drink, and socialize.
- The number of bar stools will depend on how big your counter space is and the number of guests you are trying to accommodate. To make it easier, follow this simple formula.
- There should be 6 inches in between the seat if your stool measures 16 inches to 18 inches wide.
- If your stools are 18 inches and wider, you can allow 8 inches to 10 inches distance each seat.
- If you prefer swivel stools, make sure that there is extra space between each seat so people can move with ease.
7. Visual Appeal
Choose bar stools based on how they look if you add them into your room and as well as how it will look if you combine them with other furniture. The barstools may have a linear, boxy, wavy, or squared style. Curvy bar stools would look good in an area with horizontal and vertical lines to add interest in the area.
8. Upholstered or Not
We all know that an upholstered bar stool is very comfortable and appealing, but it requires proper maintenance and extra care than that of the un-upholstered stools. With upholstered, you can choose from a wide selection of color patterns and textures. However, if you want a classier look that requires less maintenance, and you can select the upholstered in the future, then the un-upholstered stools are what you need.
9. Versatility
Consider a tool that you can use in many ways, not just on its primary function. It is best to choose a bar stool that can serve as additional seating in the dining area or living area or any part of the house, school, or company. Choose a stool that you can position in any room you want and not just in the dining or kitchen. As mentioned above, the bar stool design should be able to complement not only the countertop but the entire room.
10. Functionality
Your bar stool should function as expected. It should serve not just as sitting furniture but as something that will keep you relaxed and at peace. People stay in the bar to have their mind off the stressful things around them. These stools should give them the serene they have been looking for. You can also bring the stools to other areas of the house and serve as furniture to enhance the room or to make it look classy. These stools are not just for your seating, but also an attraction in your home.
Final Thoughts
If you think you are ready to start purchasing those bar stools for your home bar, check out some online stores that offer this furniture at a discounted price.
Also, if you want to know more about what you should be focusing on when buying bar stools, you can comment below. We welcome and appreciate your suggestions and feedback.
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