Bar and counter stools are essential, as they are one of the only pieces of furniture typically found in the kitchen. The right bar stool can immediately draw your eye as you enter the room, acting as the kitchen’s focal point. 

When looking out for the right stool for your kitchen, start by considering what you require from your kitchen seating. Do you have a big family and want a place to enjoy home-cooked meals?  Do you like entertaining? Or just need a place for a coffee in the morning. Once you’ve decided on the layout, whether that’s more of a gathering place, island seating, or really just for looks, you can then start to choose what style you need.

Remember, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where your family gathers to cook, bake, have meals, and it’s where everyone hangs out when you’re hosting or entertaining. So you might as well make it beautiful and create a striking aesthetic, whether you’re going for, leather, rattan, or upholstery, whatever you’re doing, you want your counter or bar stools to be comfortable and beautiful.

Below are things to consider that will guide you as you choose the right stool for your kitchen! 

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Finding the perfect bar stool height 

Finding the perfect height for your bar or counter stool is critical. Yes, everyone, there is a difference between bar and counter stools.  The way to find this out, or the way to make sure that you have the right height, would be to measure, measure, measure! 

Choose the right height.

To determine the right stool for you, measure your counter’s height by measuring from the floor up to the counter/tabletop’s bottom. Keeping in mind, you will require 9″-13″ between the seat and the counter or table for comfort.

• Bar stool heights are typically 28″-30″ from floor to seat. Pair with a counter which will be 40″-42″ in height.
• Counter stool heights are typically 24″-26″ inches from floor to seat. Pair counter which is 36″-39″ in height.

Related: Contemporary Dining Room Ideas For 2020

Find out how many bar stools you can fit 

It’s crucial to provide enough legroom and space between each stool for people to drink, eat, and socialize without their elbows bumping. By imagining you are sitting in the space and following the guidelines laid out below, you will be able to provide enough space between each stool for it to be comfortable. 

• • If the widest section of the stool is 16″-18″, then you should allow for 21″-22″ of space per stool.
  • If the widest section of the stool is 19″- 22″, then you should allow for 24″ to 25″ of space per stool.

If you select stools with arms and/or that swivel, you will need to account for that by adding more space between stools.

Ensure to plan for the space you want between each bar stool so that you have enough seats for everyone. I would recommend taping your stools out on the floor to visualize the space you’ll have before you purchase any stools so you can see how much room is in between each seat and how much arm room and legroom you’ll have. Ensuring everyone is comfortable, and you can fulfill the space to your family’s exact requirements.

My third rule of thumb would be to do your research when it comes to purchasing your stool. Firstly, look at specs and dimensions on the website. I recommend comparing flooring and paint colors to the materials used on the stool as well.

Consider the different types of bar stool materials 

Like all other furniture types, when choosing the right stool material matters, no matter if you are looking to fit a particular style or for a durable material for those occasional spills. Make sure that you weigh the pros and cons of the most common materials listed below.

When considering the types of bar stool materials to choose, I would ponder about your family’s lifestyle and who will be eating at the kitchen island. If you have little ones and want upholstery that’s easy to clean and durable, you’ll want a performance fabric! Or if you are kind of going for a coastal feel, rattan or woven is the route for you.  Your home’s overall aesthetic and vibe play a critical part in what kind of styles you should go with.

Metal

Metal bar stools typically have a sleek silhouette, making them the perfect choice for small spaces and more industrial or modern aesthetics. I love placing these in modern farmhouse homes! 

Wood

Wood Bar stools tend to be solid. This option fits in with nearly any style and aesthetic. For more comfort, opt for a wooden bar stool with an upholstered cushion.

Rattan/ Wicker

Wicker and Rattan Bar Stools have a timeless, casual appeal that makes them versatile and suited to the kitchen and the sunroom. Their lightweight build, they are easy to move around. 

Related: Adding A Touch Of Luxury With An Oversized Chandelier

Consider the different types of stools 

Another thing that affects the style of your bar/ counter stool is your countertop, so it depends on what material you want. Suppose you went with a marble, quartz, or porcelain countertop. I would consider that when picking out the material and making sure that everything flows cohesively. 

“What kind of stool are you?” should be a question you ask yourself because there are so many different types. There is backless, swivel, upholstery, modern, arms, armless, you name it. 

So I would do a sitting test and try out your stool, sit on it, relax, see how it feels if you know that you love arms, if you know that you want to spin around, or if you have a more open layout and wanna face the TV or other people in the living room. Then I would consider all of that, especially if you are going backless, and you want the counter stool to fit underneath a specific area space, then backless is the way to go for you. So I would look at your space and your options then go from there.

Final Thoughts 

Although it may not seem like a huge deal, I would definitely take your time when choosing your bar/ counter stool. This is really the focal point of your kitchen because it is the only furniture item there, and will draw a lot of attention. So make it comfortable, make it beautiful, and have fun while doing it.

Now that your ready to pick out the right stool for your home have a look at our selection of bar stools in the Lindy Galloway shop