Bar + Counter Stools
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Modern Bar & Counter Stools
The kitchen is the heart of the home, an epicenter of activity toward which friends and family members tend to gravitate. If you have a kitchen countertop or kitchen island, chances are you're familiar with the phenomenon – you're in the kitchen preparing food or making drinks, and people appear across the counter, offering their help or some good conversation. Invite them to sit and stay a while with counter or bar stools, natural choices for casual kitchen counter seating that allow people to plant themselves in the middle of everything without impeding traffic flow in the kitchen.
At Design Within Reach, discover counter and bar stools that do more than just supplement seating in your kitchen. The assortment of mid-century modern stools available at DWR can infuse your space with style and compelling visual appeal in the form of textured upholstery, sleek materials, and unique silhouettes. Choose from modern pieces designed by modern icons, including the Eames Wire Stool and Bertoia Stool, as well as fresh, contemporary options that draw inspiration from past designs, like the Masters Stool by Kartell.
Choosing modern dining furniture may seem like a daunting task, but with the right guidance it’s a simple and fun step toward a well-designed home.
Types of Kitchen Stools
Bar Stools
Bar stools are designed specifically for kitchen bar tops. With standard bar tops standing between 40” and 42” tall, and with the recommended amount of space between the tabletop and stool being 10” to 13” of space, standard bar seats are typically between 28” and 33” tall. Tall bar seats can be up to 33” to 36” tall. The taller of the two types of kitchen stools, bar stools also typically have rungs between their legs so sitters have places to rest their feet.
Counter Stools
Designed for use at standard kitchen counters, counter stools are the shorter type of kitchen counter seat. They’re typically 23” to 27” tall, ideal for pairing with a 34” to 36” high countertop. Though they are shorter than their bar counterparts, counter stools may also have rungs as footrests. Counter stools can also have tall, short, or no seat backs, with one (pedestal), three (tripod), or four legs.
How to Choose a Bar Stool
Start with dimensions.
As you begin your search, keep these bar stool dimensions in mind. Standard counter height is approximately 34”-36.” For this height, select seats that range from 23” to 27” high. On the other hand, a standard bar top is slightly higher than a counter, measuring 40” to 42” high. To sit comfortably at this level, the best bar stool height is between 28” and 33” tall. Remember, it’s best to leave roughly 10” to 13” of space between the seat and the underside of the counter. This gives guests and family members ample space to cross their legs.
Consider user-friendly features.
Though almost all are armless, counter and bar stools can have varying back heights which can alter the comfort and utility of the chair. Backless stools are the easiest to position, but provide the least support. High- or full-backed stools offer the most back support and comfort, but can't be tucked under the bar or counter when not in use. A happy medium is the low-back stool, which provides a small amount of support in the form of a very low seat back, which is also typically low enough to be tucked under a counter.
Also keep your eye out for options with other features, including swivel bar stools, which can rotate up to 360º around, height-adjustable stools, which can suit different purposes at different times, and stools with foot rests.
Choose thoughtful materials and silhouettes.
Bar stools are available in a variety of shapes and materials that convey vastly different styles. If your interiors skew mid-century modern, choose wooden bar stools crafted from oak, walnut, or black ash. Or opt for a velvet- or leather-covered seat atop wooden legs.
For a minimalist interior, consider see-through ghost stools or metal bar stools rendered in polished aluminum for a sleek, high-shine finish. Plastic bar stools play well with a range of interior design styles, from Bohemian-chic to contemporary. Select a molded plastic chair atop metal or wooden legs. Don’t be afraid to mix colors and materials for a playful yet sophisticated look.
For traditional interiors, opt for a wooden bar stool with a curved back and cane seat that evokes Parisian café furnishings. If comfort is a high priority, be sure to choose bar stools with padded seats. Or consider adding cushions to chairs that don’t feature upholstered seats. If you go with taller options, select a style with a footrest so that your feet don’t dangle uncomfortably. Once you’ve chosen well-designed pieces, the seats at your kitchen counter or bar just might become the best seats in the house.