The Bar Stool Guide: heights, types, costs and making the right choice

There's nothing better than pulling up a sleek, high-quality bar stool to sit on alongside a kitchen bar as you enjoy your breakfast or catch up with friends and family. The best options look stunning, are multi-functional and extremely comfortable to use. However, rushing into a purchase can result in a bar stool that doesn't suit the space or meet your needs. By following a few simple steps you can ensure you make the right choice for you.

Knowing how to choose the right height bar stool is largely down to the height of the counter the stool will be used for. It's crucial to get this measurement precise for a nice fit with respect to comfort, functionality and aesthetics and these pointers will help.

Measure the counter height

Using a measuring tape, measure from the floor to the top surface of the counter where you intend to place the bar stool.

Determine the ideal gap

For most people, leaving a gap of 10 to 12 inches (25 - 30 cm) between the top of the stool seat and the underside of the bar or counter is generally recommended. Subtract this gap from the measured height from above to get the best seat height for your stools.

Consider your own preferences

On top of this, it's important to consider what's comfortable for you. Some people like a slightly higher seat while others prefer a lower seat height so be sure to factor this into the equation too.

Be sure to account for seat thickness

The thickness of the stool's seat and any additional padding or cushions you might use should also be included in calculations. The latter sometimes only happens as an afterthought and can catch people out.

Make your choice

Bar stools are typically available in two standard seat heights with the first around 24 - 26 inches (60 - 66 cm), often referred to as counter height stools. The second are around 28 to 30 inches (71 - 76 cm) and are usually called bar height stools. Using the guidelines above will lead you to the most appropriate bar stool height for you.

Once you've determined the best bar stool height for your counter, it's time to consider the different types of stools that there are to choose from. The main options are as follows and each has its own look, feel and function to them.

Adjustable stools

These versatile stools feature adjustable heights, allowing you to customise the seat height to your preference. They often come with a lever or gas lift mechanism for effortless adjustment.

Swivel stools

Swivel bar stools have rotating seats that allow easy movement and accessibility. They are great for social settings or bar areas where people may need to turn or face different directions while seated.

Backless stools

Backless bar stools have a streamlined design without a backrest. They are an ideal space-saving option and can easily be tucked away, under the counter, when not in use.

Stools with backs

You can also get stools with backrests that offer additional support and comfort. They come in various styles, from low backrests to high backrests, providing varying degrees of lumbar support.

Like any other high-quality furnishing in the home, its appearance is just as important as its functionality. However, knowing what style or look to go for can be difficult, especially given the vast range of options. It does help to follow a few recommendations, like those below, to inform your choice.

Think about your home's decor

The current styling of your home, be it contemporary, post-modern, coastal, industrial or whatever it might be, is a great place to start to narrow your search down. In most instances, finding a counter stool in the same style makes sense. If your style is slightly more eclectic, you've probably a little more freedom with what look to choose but you'll still want something that works in harmony with the aesthetics of your space.

Colour choices are key

Your choice of colour is also crucial for a cohesive and stylised look. Again, looking at your living space as a whole and the predominant colours that are working in it should inform your selection. You can choose something that will seamlessly blend in or use the opportunity to create an accent with a contrasting complementary colour.

Personal tastes should also be prioritised

As important as it is for comfort, personal preferences should also be prioritised when it comes to aesthetics. Your bar stools will undoubtedly be seen by guests and visitors but you'll be the one that ultimately sees it the most. For this reason, be sure to pick something that you'll be happy to have in your home day-in, day-out.

Related article: The most popular interior design styles shaping Kiwi homes

When buying furniture it's easy to put all your focus on the form and appearance of a piece and forget about how it actually feels to use and in this case, sit on. Bar stools offer vastly different levels of comfort from one to the next and there are a few things to look out for which will affect this.

High-quality construction matters

A bar stool that is poorly made can feel very unsettling to sit on, especially if it takes your feet off the ground. Ensuring you pick one made from quality materials (more on this later) from a reputable brand or supplier will give you that sense of security to relax and enjoy the seat.

Ergonomic designs promote health and well-being

Bar and counter stools with ergonomic designs are not only comfortable but help promote good sitting positions and back posture. They tend to feature a slight backward tilt or backrests that support the natural curvature of the spine.

Seat size, shape and cushioning

The dimensions of your seat should allow you and your guests to comfortably fit on it. Beyond this, the design distinctions can be more subtle. Many people prefer a mildly curved or even a flat surface while others like one that is slightly more contoured. Padding and cushioning are the other factors to think about which, when done well, can enhance comfort considerably with different levels of plushness available.

The type of materials that your bar stool is made of will have a huge overall impact, particularly with respect to its sturdiness, comfort and appearance. Each choice of material brings its own unique qualities and traits which you can align with your own needs and requirements

Wooden bar stools

A wood bar stool is a traditional and classic choice that is versatile, aesthetically warm and reliable. There is a wide range of wood types available like oak, pine and walnut as well as different stains to bring out the natural grains in a vivid way.

Metallic bar stools

Metal bar stools offer extreme durability as well as a sleekness that is popular with modern and contemporary design interiors. Stainless and aluminium are common metals used and metals can also be finished for different textural looks such as polished, brushed, or powder-coated surfaces.

Plastic bar stools

There's sometimes a stigma that comes with plastic but in practice, it can be a great solution for a home. They are strong, lightweight and easy to use. Furthermore, they can be used outside if required making them highly adaptable to the needs of modern-day living. Their designs can also be quite unique given they can be moulded into practically any shape.

Upholstered bar stools

You'll also come across plenty of choices that feature high-quality upholstery around the seats which can be a real benefit. Not only can they offer additional warmth and comfort but can also feature unique patterns and designs to create a styling point of difference.

Related article: Leather or fabric sofas: advantages, disadvantages and more

Even after following all these steps, you might have quite a large number of products to choose from. One final way you can make that shortlist even shorter is by comparing the various features that they may or may not offer. This can include some of the following:

Footrests

A well-positioned footrest can greatly increase the comfort of a bar stool. It takes pressure off the legs and helps you achieve better posture. It also stops your feet from dangling which can be off-putting for some.

Armrests

Armrests can be a nice addition to a bar stool and are often included in more luxurious models. It just allows one to relax in a more comfortable way with a bit of relief for the arms and shoulders.

Storage space

These days you'll also find bar stools with storage compartments and shelving giving you a place to put keys, wallets, phones, remote controls, books, magazines and more. This turns them into very multi-functional pieces which can be very handy.

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Bar stools come in a wide range of different prices, starting from $40 for very basic metal bar stools to upwards of $1,000 for a sophisticated option from a designer brand.

While the price at the point of purchase will be the main focus with respect to your budget, you should also think about the long-term value of the options you're looking at. For instance, a high-quality bar stool will cost more than a basic model, but if it outlasts it by years, it may work out to be more worthwhile, saving you on replacement costs. Also, a high-quality option will have more resale value as well, if your tastes or styling change and you need to sell it.

You should also think carefully about how many stools you really need, as this will obviously impact your spending significantly. Deciding to buy three instead of four, for example, may allow you to buy a superior quality product.

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Having read through our extensive bar stool guide, you now have a step-by-step process to follow to pick out the perfect bar stool for you. They are incredibly versatile furnishings to add to a kitchen counter, breakfast bar or even in an outdoor space and by making a carefully considered choice you'll ensure you get the very best out of them for a long time to come.

(This article was updated on the 21st November 2024)

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