Bar stools: selecting the right ones for your home

You don’t have to own a local pub or tavern to enjoy the beauty, comfort, style and functionality of stools. Once relegated to the dark corners of a seedy bar, bar stools have become one of the most versatile pieces of furniture in your home.

Part of the reason is its versatility. The stools can be used in any number of rooms in your home, from sitting at a pub-style table in your kitchen and breakfast bar to being used on a covered outdoor patio near the barbecue. In between, you’ll find them in your family room, game room, and even your home theater.

This revival in popularity is largely due to the wide selection of stools that are on the market these days. They can be found in all major furniture styles, including modern, contemporary, transitional, and traditional.

When selecting bar stools for your home, you need to keep a few things in mind.

First, you need to decide on the style. Since this has probably already been determined by the other furniture or decor sharing the same space, this should be relatively straightforward.

Next is the features. Yes, stools have features. You can go for a very basic stool that has a fixed, unpadded, backless seat, or you can get ones that have all of these features and more, including the ability to swivel. If you want your guests to be comfortable, you probably want to go with stools that have backs. However, this may not be ideal if you want to store them away when not in use, such as under the pub table or breakfast bar. A back, especially one that is curved or has arms, can greatly affect how well you store them.

That said, guests will appreciate the added comfort of a backrest, especially one with arms. They will also enjoy a padded seat. Fortunately, manufacturers make bar stools in a wide range of fabrics, and many retailers, especially online ones, allow you to order the fabric of your choice to match your decor.

Another nice feature to have is a footrest. With many stools, the bottom brackets give guests a place to rest their feet. With others, a special foot bar is added. Just make sure the footrest isn’t too high or too low for the average member of your family.

Bar stools come in various heights, from 24″ to 32″, although you can also find them a little higher or lower. You want to make sure you get a stool that isn’t too high or low for your counters. Simply measure your countertop and understand that the height refers to the height of the seat part, not the total height of the stool.

Lastly, you want to consider the material. Stools come in just about any material imaginable, from sleek stainless steel for a more modern look, oak, maple, or pine for a more traditional look, or even bamboo and wicker for a tropical feel. Some stools, especially those for outdoor entertaining, may look like bamboo, but instead they’re made of metal, which adds strength and durability while resisting all kinds of weather.

When shopping for quality stools, expect to pay $50 or more. While cheaper stools may be tempting, they may not last. A good place to buy stools is online. Online retailers often have a fantastic selection, and with free shipping, prices can be very competitive. Best of all, you can easily shop for different styles as you can use a built-in search engine to narrow down your options. Some models come in different heights, so you’ll want to check your selections before finalizing your order.