Bar Stools

Kitchen stools for your counter or bar table

The hottest new trend in modern and contemporary furnishing in the kitchen is bar stools. Many homeowners are under the misconception that bar stools are just for bars or dens, but modern decorators know that bar stools in a kitchen or breakfast nook add a personal and artistic touch.

If you’re on the fence about whether or not bar stools are right for your home, take into consideration the fact that they can be a great discount option for kitchen decorating. Since bar stools are often used in restaurants and other establishments that are prone to failure, lots of resale shops feature great deals on discount bar stools. They’re also great for small kitchens without a lot of space. Bar stools can fit at a small table more comfortably than most chairs.

Choosing Your Kitchen Bar Stools

Height will be one of your biggest considerations when buying kitchen stools. Be sure that you allow for about a foot of space between the top of your counter or table and the top of the seat. And if your kitchen bar stool has arms, make sure that they are short enough to slide under the counter.

Kitchen stools have become such a popular item because they offer so much flexibility in terms of design. As a guideline, ultra-mod kitchen appliances that feature a lot of stainless steel and cool colors like blue and black go best with leather bar stools in a color that complements your design scheme, with stainless steel legs.

Warmer kitchens look great with rustic bar stools, or even upholstered wood bar stools. If your kitchen lies somewhere in between these opposites, feel free to play around with the look of your table or counter stools and don’t be afraid to take risks that complement the design of the kitchen. Some people with more quirky design esthetics even opt for mismatched bar stools. As long as they are all the same height, you can use a variety of seat covers to make your kitchen pop.

Finally, keep in mind that your kitchen bar stools will be the most-used seats in the house. If your home is child friendly, opt for more durable materials in dark colors that will last you a lifetime.

Bar Stool Styles

There are many options to consider when shopping for kitchen stools:

• Swivel stools. If you have an open kitchen that borders your living or dining room, then consider getting swivel bar stools. This gives your guests and family members more mobility so that they can turn and watch television or chat with other guests without too much scooting around.
• Arms and backs. Not all kitchen stools are created equal. Don’t feel limited to the traditional square or round bar stool that you see in your local bar. Modern kitchen stools come with the option of arms and backs, which can create a more traditional look in your kitchen. You should especially consider counter stools with backs and arms if you anticipate having guests who may have problems with their posture.
• Adjustable stools. These are great because you don’t have to worry about what will happen to your beloved counter stools when you move to a new house where the counters are a different height. They can boost the kids up, and tall adults can make themselves more comfortable. Plus, you have more options to move them around the house for cards, TV viewing and the like.

The most important tip for picking a kitchen bar stool is to do your research. Buyer’s remorse can be easily avoided if you’re willing to put some time into a thorough Internet search of kitchen stools. You’ll get a better idea of what you do and don’t want and what the best quality to price ratio is. And don’t pass up a good discount bar stool just because you don’t like the cover. Remember, reupholstering stools is relatively inexpensive.