Once you've purchased that new discounted bar table from Overstock.com, it is time to find bar stools to match. Bar stools and counter stools come in many styles, shapes and sizes. Finding the right height and style of bar furniture for your bar table, bistro table or counter is easy with this bar stool buying guide from Overstock.com.
The most important part of picking out bar stools is the size. You may have found the ideal finish and fabric for your bar stools, however, if they are too short or too tall, the style doesn't really matter.
The first thing to discuss is the difference between a bar stool and a counter stool. Bar stools average a 30-inch seat height, and counter stools average a 26-inch seat height. These two stools are often confused, but the seat height is different enough that buying them interchangeably could cause some problems; counters and bar tables are different heights themselves.
Bar stool heights can be shorter or taller than the average; there are extra tall bar stools, and these seat heights average 34 inches.
Spacing
Just as you would space the chairs of your dining room table for ideal comfort, you should also space your bar chairs and counter stools. Bar owners try to avoid crowding too many bar stools together to keep patrons from finding an elbow in their face, and to avoid this, there is an industry standard; allow 26 to 30 inches between the centers of each bar stool. This provides enough room for your guests and family to eat and socialize.
The spacing will also help you figure out how many stools you can fit comfortably at your home bar or counter. If your counter is about 84 inches in length, place no more than three counter stools at it, spaced appropriately from either end.
The materials that make up your counter stools and bar stools affects the quality of the product you buy, as well as the price.
Wood
Wood bar stools and counter stools are durable and look great in old world pubs. How they look in your home depends on your decor, the style and the wood finish you choose. Leather and wood will fit in nicely with a darker wood decor while a lighter wood fits well in a sunny breakfast nook. If you purchase backed wood stools without padding, consider picking up cushions made for stools or chairs. Chair cushions can be purchased in any color you want, matching the rest of the room.
If the wooden bar stools you buy need to be assembled, make sure you assemble them properly. They can be unstable when put together improperly, rendering them useless when you need something from a tall kitchen cabinet or hard-to-reach shelving.
Metal
Metal bar stools and counter stools look good with most d?cor; they are usually upholstered or have seats made of wood or plastics.
Another benefit of metal bar stools is that most are adjustable. Adjustable bar stools and counter stools use hydraulics or gas-lifts, just like your office chair, to adjust the seat height. There are two things you want to look for when purchasing your metal bar and counter stools:
Upholstery
As with any furniture piece, you'll want the upholstery to meet a couple of requirements:
The classic bar stool style is functional more than stylish; however, bar stools and counter stools are now both. Seat backs and swiveling are great features on stools. If you will be sitting for a while, look for a padded seat and a higher seat back; these will increase the comfort of the bar stools. Swivel chairs come in handy for tight spaces; for counter stools and bar stools set near a wall, swiveling will make it easier to sit and maneuver in that space.
As for style, you might prefer a backless barstool to extend the contemporary appeal of your dining table or console table. If its a rustic quality you're after, find a chunky, reclaimed, Adirondack barstool in pine, teak or beech wood that's either unfinished or minimally veneered. For a timeless look, consider a round table flanked by a trio of pedestal stools made of rattan wicker over wrought iron, adorned with tasteful finials.
Check out your existing pieces of furniture for inspiration. Identify themes among your armchairs, love seats, kitchen tables, coffee tables, sectional sofas and benches. Whether your living-room has one central recliner, a smattering of side chairs, rocking chairs and armchairs or a featured cocktail table and chaise lounger; whether your dining-room features a kitchen island, a banquet sideboard buffet, a cabinet armoire hutch or a drop-leaf card table next to an occasional stack of dinette folding chairs; and whether your bedroom furniture consists of a simple nightstand with a small bookcase and radio alarm clock affair, a latticed cedar hope chest or a bedside settee dovetailing a chest of drawers, your house already has style. Run with it.
Furniture polish for wood bar stools may be enough to protect them. In a house full of kids you can expect your bar furniture to see a lot of use and damage; however, read the manufacturer's enclosed care instructions for in-depth information. Here are a few tips to keep your bar stools and counter stools looking good:
Will metal bar stools scratch my floors?
Because of the frequency of bar stools and counter stools being pulled out and pushed in, the possibility of your floors becoming scratched is moderate. However, there are ways to combat this:
How can I make my wooden bar stools last longer?
Wood furniture, including wooden bar stools, should not be exposed to excessive humidity or dry air. Wood exchanges moisture with the surrounding air; dry air sucks the moisture from the wooden bar stools and causes them to shrink, yet when the humidity in the air rises again, the bar stools will absorb the moisture from the air and swell back up to their original size. These are natural changes that happen to all wood furniture. If you have a humid home, or one that is very dry, consider using an air conditioner or humidifier to keep your home's levels stable. Avoid placing your stools near heat sources like fireplaces, stoves, radiators and direct sunlight since heat can dry out the wood as well. If you're purchasing wood bar stools as patio furniture to go with your picnic table, garden chairs and lawn chairs, read the care instructions, think about investing in a polyurethane treatment and consider an umbrella for limiting direct sunlight.
For more information on wood furniture, read our buying guides.
Complete the look
If you are purchasing bar stools for a home bar, don't forget to pick up other necessities: barware from Overstock.com will have everything you need to set you on your way to mixing your first martini. You'll also find discounted bar and wine tools and bar storage -- everything a home bar needs. With great deals on ice buckets and coolers, shakers and martini glasses, your bar will be in full swing before you can say "on the rocks!"
If you want more of a cafe style, don't forget to look for bar tables. The right pub table can really set the mood of a whole room.
Kid friendly
Home bars aren't the only place for bar stools. Kids will enjoy sitting at the counter watching you make their favorite homemade pizza or dessert; nothing is more fun than eating with mom and dad at the counter! Counter stools also allow your kids to sit at counter height and make treats with you. Next time your son or daughter wants to help make cookies, all they need to do is hop up on a counter stool and they're ready to stir and scoop.
Saving money and time
Save time and money when you buy your dining and bar furniture online at Overstock.com. Online shopping is fast and convenient, and if you pick up your bar furniture in sets, you'll save money. You can find bar chairs and bistro tables or bar tables in a set, as well as bar stool and counter stool pairs; dining sets are designed to save you money.
