What to Know Before Buying Bar Stools

it’s hard to imagine any kitchen without some sort of bar stool. Bar stools have become positively ubiquitous — and for good reason. They allow family, friends and even strangers to join us in the kitchen. Every school night, my sons did their homework sitting on a bar stool at our counter, where they could finagle help whether it was needed or not. Many a night, dear friends would perch on those same stools, keeping us company while we cooked. And then it was our gaggle of grandchildren who clamored onto the stools, eager to be right in the middle of what was happening.

So what’s new in the world of bar stools? I asked Lee Honigsfeld, vice president at Pastel Furniture (which has long been one of my favorite sources for stools), for his insight and expertise.

First, let’s cover a bar stool basic: height. In my years as a retail designer, I learned there is lots of confusion about this subject, so let’s try to clear that up.

“Bar stool” is an overarching term that refers to stools that come in three primary heights: counter, bar and spectator (sometimes called stadium). Counter stools, like these, are designed to be paired with a standard-height counter, which is 36 inches tall. So a counter stool’s seat ranges in height from 24 to 26 inches.

Bar stools are meant to be used at the portion of a kitchen counter that is stepped up (usually by 6 inches) from the rest of the counter, usually this portion is 42 inches high rather than 36. Bar-height stools are also the most common match for pub tables. Their seat height is normally 30 inches.

Spectator or stadium stools are the tallest. They are designed for use at a 48-inch-high table or counter, so their seat height ranges from 34 to 36 inches tall. This variety of stool is often used when extra height is needed, like for television viewing.

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What to Know Before Buying Bar Stools