Whether the guests at your home bar hunker down, belly up or just take a seat, you want to make sure the stool where they choose to perch is comfortable and up to the task. For the sake of comfort, looks and having a good time, you want to make sure your stools match your bar and can keep friends and family comfortable for hours. This quick guide will cover the basics so you can set out on your barstool search today!
Measurements
To begin, you need to determine how many stools you need. The industry standard is to allow between 28 and 30 inches between the center of bar stools and half of that from the end of a stool to the edge of the bar (14-15 inches).
Once you’ve determined how many stools you need, you need to make sure you get the right height. The distance between the bottom of the bar and the top of the stool should be between 9 and 12 inches.
Back or no back?
After height, the first question that might come to your mind is whether your stools should have backs. Basically, this is a question of form and function. Backless bar stools have a classic look that is both clean and unobtrusive. However, the tradeoff is that you don’t have a back to lean up against, so you lack the comfort and support many people like. That being said, many find backs on a bar stool to be distracting. They add unnecessary bulk and crowd the area around the bar.
You don’t have to pick one or the other, of course. There are plenty of stools out there with sleek, unobtrusive backs that offer the comfort many seek.
Color
The traditional bar stool is usually a dark, stained wood with black leather upholstery and brass tacks around the edges. Now, a traditionally styled bar has its merits, but you might want to experiment a bit and add some color. This can give a renewed sense of life and energy to your room and provide an opportunity to flex your creative muscle. For instance, you might find a great bar stool set but not like the color. Now you have a refinishing project on your hands, and you’ll be one step closer to a personalized design.
Swivels
It’s not only the height that makes a bar stool different from your work-a-day chair; there’s something else, and that something is the swivel. Yes, the swivel is the feature that makes it easy to switch back and forth between conversations, easily dismount and get back on for another round. Some people, however, don’t like the swivel mechanism, as it can be a challenge for older guests and young children to use.
When it comes to nailing the look of your home bar, first consider where you and your guests will be sitting. The right style can set the tone and provide dependable comfort, just like whatever spirit you’re pouring into those cocktail glasses.