Breakfast Bar Stool Guide

Sit in comfort & style 

What are bar stools?

They're the kind that turns an ordinary kitchen or dining room into a sleek, chic, modern environment fitting in with your kitchen scheme that always catches guests' attention, and they can be used just about anywhere in your home where there's a high table.

Barstools are great for casual meals, family get-togethers, and anywhere there are higher tables when chairs won't suffice.

There's a vast range of home bar stools to choose from. They have different shapes, but they are also made out of different materials and different weights; some are also easier to clean, and others offer far superior comfort.

Swivel or stationary?

Do you want a bar stool that will remain fixed, or do you want the flexibility of being able to swivel? There are two types of swivel stools; the first type swivels a little and then return to their original position; these are known as memory swivel. The other type turns a full 360 degrees and offers the most flexibility for people looking for a multi-aspect bar stool.

Identifying the type of Stool you need

A standard bar stool has five distinct aspects associated with it. If necessary, this consists of the bar stools height, counter/bar height stools, extra height bars, and adjustable height stools. You will then have the option to choose the backrest of your selected stool, and the below information should help you decide.

Correct height of stool you need

The correct height is vital for a comfortable seating experience.

Backrest height and the depth

If you have back issues, you might find certain types better. Stools with backrests can undoubtedly provide a more comfortable experience.

The importance of legroom

When you do not have legroom, you often feel uncomfortable or claustrophobic. Your guests must have comfortable surroundings; therefore, you should always aim for 23-30cm.

The ideal distance between Stools

It should be capable of eating and enjoying food with ease. Stools with arms can differ in width; therefore, measurement is essential when choosing the distance between stools.

 What height are bar stools?

Counter Height seats range from 25 to 29 inches from the floor and are ideal for kitchen countertops or tables around 34-40 inches tall.

Bar chairs with arms and backrests could effortlessly go under their breakfast bar, and Backless chairs show a more prominent appearance in space. Seating is available on a stool that supports or supports large areas in a kitchen for extra convenience.

The best place to be sitting is around 30″ from the ground. This is because it isn't too high that you feel uncomfortable, but it's not too low that you end up with back pain later on!

If you're planning on using your bar stools for a prolonged period, comfort is a priority. There are a few different things you should look for, ideally one with fabric padded cushioned seats which is much preferable to sitting on wood. Also, a padded high top backrest will help armrests provide lumbar support. 

Bar stool materials

All-wood seats are most common at home for their style and affordability, but they can be found in metal, upholstery, and various other materials. Metal bar stools are good if you want to save on cleaning time since metal tends to repel dirt, while wood tends to soak it all up. However, many people find that their coldness makes them uncomfortable when sitting for long periods, especially in winter.

And finally. Don't forget the swivel mechanism! They are great for letting you get in and out comfortably, so take note of their functionality before you buy if this is important for you.

 Wooden Counter Stools: Wooden counter stools come in a range of styles. From cheaper options to solid oak, wood is a timeless option with plenty of styles to match your kitchen to choose from.

Fabric Bar Stools – Harder to maintain but bring a touch of class and elegance to any home kitchen. Find a good maintenance kit to help spruce them up and keep them looking and smelling fresh.

Metal Barstool: Simple yet robust design made from metals such as steel, iron or brass. Often they have a footrest at their base and an open back that rests behind your lower back.

Leather Bar Stools: Look great and are easy to wipe down and clean; leather is a great option but can become very hot in the summer months when temperatures are warmer.

How many styles of bar stools are there?

Swivel Bar Stool: Great for socialising, turning and talking to different people and quickly changing the angle as you please.

Adjustable Height Bar Stool: Great for stools being used by people of different heights and using for countertop and bar height bars.

Low Back Bar Stool

Low back bar stools usually have a thin lip or a backrest around three to eight cm and offer a great option compared to no back or full-back chairs.

Solid Back Bar Stool

Solid back barstools won't have any gaps in the backrest. Often available in wood with padding and upholstered to provide comfort and an enclosed feel.

High Back Bar Stool

High-back bar stools offer superior back support allowing you to sit in comfort. Especially good to help prevent shoulder and back pain whilst sitting.

Solid back is better for kids

Open Back Bar Stool

Most commonly, this will be a wooden stool with a frame for the backrest that might have bars running vertically down it or a rigid cross shape installed or fabric covering.

Backless Bar Stool

This type of stool is suitable because you can use it from any angle. If your chair doesn't swivel, it won't matter with a backless barstool because you can twist your body in a different direction.

How should I choose which bar stools I need?

There are multiple things to consider when buying bar stools. Ultimately the height of the bar/table will determine the size you need then it's up to you to discover which type of stool best fits your needs for style and comfort.

Wooden bar stools offer a classic, traditional feel, whereas metal and chrome give your kitchen a modern feeling but can show dirt and marks more obviously than wooden ones.

Also, it would help if you thought about how much space your stools will take up, allowing each stool to give the person sitting adequate comfort.

How much space between bar stools?

This is important because you don't want to buy something that won't fit into your kitchen or make it so that you're all squashed up together!

For example, if your bar is 200cm and six bar stools are 33cm wide, whilst the six stools will fit, this won't allow you enough space to be comfortable. Before you shop, measure how wide the counter space is both at the top and where it meets the floor to see what size would best suit your bar can comfortably accommodate.

In the example, it's probably best to have around four stools; five could still be entirely squashed up.

Make sure that there is a space of around 15 cm between seats. This area will allow you to eat, drink, and sit out on your stools quickly. Leave an additional 15cm space between the barstools and the end of the bar.

Easy to care for

The most significant benefit of wooden stools is that they are easy to maintain. When you've got metal, it can need frequent cleaning to make them look at its best.

The most time-intensive option would be for fabric seat cushions which accumulate and show dirt a lot more when compared to metal and wood, so they would need regular washing to help keep them fresh.

How much should I pay for bar stools?

Most of the time, wooden stools will be cheaper than metal or bamboo stools. It depends on what style you want and how many people will use them.

If you plan to buy 3+ counter stools, they can cost around £40 to £200+ each, depending on where you shop! However, some stores offer high-quality pieces for less if you know where to look. This is why researching well before shopping is vital!

Bar stools with arms will cost more than those without, and the style of the stool will impact its price as well.

How much legroom should there be?

Ideally, leave around 9″ to 12″ of legroom. This should be sufficient for most people, but if your bar accommodates taller people with longer legs, you might want to leave a little extra room if possible.

Also, you might want to consider whether or not you wish to store the stools under the bar or countertop when not in use, and if you've got larger bar stools, they might not tuck in cleanly underneath the bar table, so please keep this in mind when choosing bar stools.

Is there anything else I should think about before buying?

You know you need comfort, style, and something easy to clean and maintain, but what else is there to consider? The weight of the stools can be vital if you've got a bad back or struggle with mobility. When compared to wood, metal and chrome stools can be much heavier, meaning they are harder to clean around and under; you don't want to be dragging them along the floor.