There’s nothing quite like hanging out at your home bar watching a game. But, with dining counters and breakfast bars more popular than ever, the bar stool has quickly become a kitchen essential as well. Before you select a set, there’s a lot of things to consider. Bar stools come in a wide variety of shapes, styles, and comfort levels, so before making a decision, you’ll need to consider both your comfort needs, your budget, and the aesthetic of your space. The top three bar stool retailers offering an array of styles with the best deals are Wayfair, Ikea, and The Home Depot. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about bar stools to help you choose.
For the most comfort while sitting or dining, allow 26-30 inches of space between the centers of each stool. Depending on your leg room preferences, you’ll also nee from 6-10 inches of space between the bottom of the bar or countertop and the top of the bar stool for leg room.
Swivel bar stools eliminate the need to move the stool as much, so they are less likely to scratch flooring. The best way to preserve your floors is to attach protective foam, cork, or rubber padding or discs on the bottom of each leg. Placing bar stools on a mat or rug will also protect your floors. The Trent Austin Design Donington 27" swivel bar stool ($99.99) will reduce floor damage. They’re 40% off at Wayfair and come with free shipping.
Generally, there isn’t much of a difference between the two. You will probably be able to find the exact same type or style of counter stool or bar stool to fit your bar, dining room, or kitchen; the main difference is the seat height.
Most standard counters and bars are 34-39 inches high, so a bar stool should have a seat height between 24-29 inches to allow the average sized person space between their legs and the bar without sitting awkwardly low. The Janinge bar stool from Ikea ($99.99) solves the problem beautifully, as it adjusts to bar counter heights from 35 3/8” up to 43 ¼".
Begin by measuring your bar from the floor to the underneath side of the bar counter. After you’ve measured, subtract 10 inches from your bar counter height and use this measurement as your guide. When shopping for bar stools, to get the right stool height, measure from the floor to the seat.
Modern and contemporary design is known for its sleek, minimalist look. For a more formal, high-end aesthetic, clear acrylic bar stools are unusual but play well with a variety of décor styles. For a more modern loft look, it’s hard to beat Home Depot’s silver stackable 30-inch metal barstools. They’re a steal at 4 for $100, with free shipping to a local store for pickup.
Your design aesthetic, space, and comfort needs will determine whether to go with armless bar stools or stools with arms. Arms add another 2-3 inches to the width of the stool, which can be uncomfortable in tight spaces. Stools without arms give the illusion of less clutter and more space. Stools with arms are great for entertaining or when sitting for long periods of time.
While some bar stools feature a rigid seating area, many bar stools are designed for comfort. Some sport contoured seats, while others feature 1 ½" to 2” padded or memory foam seat cushions and backrests . Some have footrests that add an extra degree of comfort. If the stool doesn’t have cushions, there are additional seat cushions available for most standard models.