Almost every apartment kitchen has a space for bar stools these days, and finding the right set of stools can prove to be a difficult task. Even though the process can be daunting, going through it is well worth it when your friends and family are able to join you in the kitchen. However before you start your search, there are a few things everyone should know about bar stools.
Types of Bar Stools
The first thing you must know is that when it comes to bar stools, there is more than one type. In fact, “bar stool” is an umbrella term for three different stool heights:
1. Counter
A counter stool is considered to be standard sized because it pairs nicely with a 36-inch standard height kitchen counter. Counter stools usually measure anywhere between 24 and 26 inches in height.
2. Bar
When a kitchen counter has an attached raised section that is the height of a real bar, you can use a standard bar stool. This counter height is about six inches taller than your standard sized counter, so it’s typically about 42 inches in height. At this counter height, if you go with a bar stool that has a seat height of 30-inches, it usually fits perfectly.
3. Spectator
This type of stool is sometimes referred to as a “stadium stool”, and it’s known for being 34 to 36 inches high, which is significantly taller than the other styles because it’s supposed to fit comfortably under a table or counter that is 48 inches tall.
Getting New Bar Stools
Bar stools look great with the counters they’ve been designed for, but problems can arise when moving into a new apartment if your new counters are a different height than your old ones. To avoid this issue, we recommend doing one of two things:
1. Buying Adjustable Stools
If you move frequently, or just don’t want to purchase new bar stools after every move, you should look into adjustable bar stools. With this solution, one size fits all, no matter if you need taller or shorter stools.
2. Renting Bar Stools
Another option, and perhaps our favorite, is renting bar stools. This is a great alternative because you’ll not only save money, but you’ll be able to get brand new bar stools that fit your new counter’s dimensions every time you move.
Now that you know the bar stool basics, you should feel comfortable picking out some fabulous new furniture for your new apartment.
