Bar Stool Buying Guide

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.

Bar stool sizes

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.

Bar and counter stool materials

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:

• Look for stools with a covered piston. The hydraulics or gas-lifts, if exposed, will be greasy if touched, and a sleeve over the piston will keep your clothes, kids and you clean.
• If the seat is adjustable, you'll want adjustable footrests. Make sure you can adjust the foot rest to match the height as you change it.

Upholstery

As with any furniture piece, you'll want the upholstery to meet a couple of requirements:

• Padding should cover the entire surface and continue down and around; you don't want your padding to stop at the edge of the seat if the upholstery continues.
• Upholstery should be easy to clean and maintain. Leather, microfiber and polyester are more stain-resistant than other fabrics and materials. Vinyl is also a good choice.

Other counter and bar stool features

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.

Bar stool and counter stool care

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:

• Clean spills immediately. Upholstered stools can soak up a mess, and the faster it is wiped away, the less mess it can soak up.
• Avoid placing stools close to walls and other furniture. The stools can cause damage to walls and other furniture just as easily as other furniture can damage them.
• Don't lean heavily on stool seat-backs. If you're tipping the stool back on two legs, you're putting too much strain on the seat back as well as on the stools' legs.