Bar stools add interest to any kitchen decor
Bar stools are not only a great way to get extra seating without taking up too much space, they can also serve as unique accent pieces in your kitchen. Bar stools are ideal for high counters, kitchen islands or bistro-style high tables and can work with almost any style of décor. Here are some tips on the type of bar stool you might want to match with certain decorating styles.
Contemporary
A contemporary style demands modern and elegant lines. You can get interesting stools in chrome or steel that will go great with chrome appliances. If your kitchen has a dark and mysterious look, try adding bar stools with a black finish. To add a bit of zip, you can use bar stools that have a modern design, or if you’re not that adventurous, try some with half backs or V-shaped legs.
retro
Retro is on these days and what better way to accentuate your retro-style kitchen than with stools that borrow design elements from the good old days. You can buy new barstools that are chrome and vinyl in a wide variety of styles. Unlike actual vintage stools, you won’t have to worry about rusty metal or ripped upholstery with new stools. You can get great backless or backless stools with a 50’s retro look, a retro vinyl lounge style with back and full arms, and even backless stools like the ones you’d see at the soda store.
Tropical
For tropical-themed kitchens, you can choose from a wide selection of bar stools that will complement your style. You can go for a simple bamboo or rattan first if your kitchen is very casual. If you’re looking for a more playful look, you can try metal bar stools that have a palm tree or other tropical-style cutout or similar stools that are painted on the back with tropical designs.
Coffee
If your kitchen is modeled after a cafeteria or bistro, you’ll find plenty of chairs you can use to enhance the look. Cherry wood chairs like you would see in fancy cafes always look good and you can also get metal chairs in a sleek new age design that complements this style nicely.
thematic
If you opt for an ethnic and earthy kitchen like a Tuscan or Mexican style, you can look into wrought iron bar stools. They come with designs on the back, arms and legs that range from very voluminous to slightly. With upholstered seats, these can be covered to match the colors of your kitchen.
Traditional
If you have a more formal or traditional kitchen, there are plenty of bar stools that will work just fine. I like a heavy stool with this look, so you might try an oak or cherry stool that is solid and has arms. For an upscale pub look, try wood and leather bar stools that add class and elegance to any room.
If, like many people, your kitchen is eclectic and without a particular theme, there is still a bar stool that will look great. You can really let your creativity show with hand-painted stools depicting everything from flowers to fruit to ocean scenes.
A word of caution when choosing a bar stool: You want to make sure you get the right height for your counter or table. Typically, bar stool seats range from 17″ to 31″, so there’s a good chance you can buy the stool you love in the size you need. To find out what that size is, you need to measure the distance from the bottom of the table or counter to the floor. An ideal setting would be to leave 10-13 inches of clearance from the bottom of the table to the top of the stool seat, so if your table is 35″ off the floor, you’ll want to get a 24″ bar. stool. This is quite important as buying a stool that does not fit your table or counter properly will result in an uncomfortable seat.