Speaking of bar stools…
A friend sent me this photo and suggested I feature these stools in my showroom. Too bad they dont swivel! For more helpful info on bar stools, click here.
Bar Stool 101
Since nearly every home has bar or counter stools and about every third person strolling through our showroom is looking for some, I thought I would give you my two cents on the subject. First, you can just about name your price. Second, the choice is nearly limitless. Third, the best ones are rarely seen in your average furniture store.
It is safe to say that most people do not plan to spend much on bar stools, but just like anything, you get what you pay for. Before you tune out because you think I am going to try to get you to open your wallet wider than anticipated, just think about the following. You’re having a dinner party and you are doing the cooking. Where are the guests? Hanging around the kitchen and sitting on the counter stools. You have a custom basement with a nice bar area. Where are the guys sitting? AT THE BAR! You bought a gathering table for your casual dining. What are you sitting on? You get the idea.
It’s just my opinion but I swear there was a great local watering hole that shut down because the bar stools were awful. How long are you going to sit there if the stools aren’t comfortable? I’ve sat in bleachers that felt better on the backside. Whoever makes those things should sell them with a tube of Icy Hot.
When it comes to styling, the sky is the limit. We regularly order stools with the clients’ choice of finish and fabric or leather. They can look like something stolen from a pub in Dublin to the most elegant seat in the Ritz Carlton lounge. I’ve seen stools that look like the fishing chairs you lash yourself to when catching marlin. I’ve seen stools that look like tractor seats, for goodness sake. The point is that you can have stools that make your guests check their watch, or have stools that say something about who you are, and are comfortable too.
So, how much should a stool as easy on the eyes as it is on the tushie cost? You can spend $200-250 on nice stools that are reasonably well made. They will be relatively simple and your finish and style choices will be limited, but I’ve placed plenty of them in the fine homes in the area and they look great. The $400-600 range will get you a lot more choice. We work with a line out of New England that makes custom stools from maple in your choice of finish and seat fabric. They exude Yankee durability and sensibility. The owner works in the plant in the morning and goes mountain biking in the afternoon, which is a fun thing to know. The best of the best hover in the $1000-1500+ range. It sounds like a lot, but when you see them you’ll know why. The detailing and customization will be noticeable. If leather is used, it will be top quality. They will make a dramatic statement in any space.
Before you go shopping it would be good to narrow your choices by thinking about whether you want arms or no arms, stationary or swivel, or fabric, leather, or a wood seat. We tend to recommend stools that provide a nice contrast to the other wood tones in the room rather than trying to match the bar, for example. Lastly, know there’s a difference in height between bar stools and counter stools. The seat height for a bar stool is usually 30″ from the ground, and for a counter stool it’s 24-26″.