Bar stools are a highly versatile seating option. They’re great for using in your kitchen, ideal for a restaurant and bar, and make a movable, flexible choice for an outdoor space. When shopping for your bar stools, here are the things you need to consider:
Step 1: Height
The stools need to be the right height for the table, bar or counter you’ll be using them with. To find the proper height, you need to measure from the bottom of the table to the floor. This is needed for leg space. You want at least 9-12 inches between the stool seat and the underside of the table. That way, you’ll have enough room for everyone to sit comfortably.
The average barstool seat height is between 28 and 30 inches off the floor, but you can find taller and shorter options as needed—according to the height of your counter/bar/table.
Step 2: Measure Width
You need to measure not only the width of the seat but also the base, the area occupied by the four legs. Wider bases and seats will require more space, meaning you’ll be able to fit fewer stools in your bar area.
When setting up the bar stools, make sure to give yourself 26 to 30 inches of space from the center of one stool to another. That way, you’ll have enough breathing room for your guests to move around comfortably.
Step 3: Features
Some bar stool features may include:
● Swivel-back design
● Chair back
● Armrests
● Cushioned seat
● Foot rest
Consider whether or not these features will be compatible with your décor and the use of the bar stools.
Step 4: Style
The style of the bar stool will also depend on the décor and use of the outdoor space. For example, you wouldn’t have a polished chrome bar stool in a rustic Texas steakhouse-style restaurant. You wouldn’t use a wooden bar stool in an elegant, modern night club. It’s all about finding the style that provides comfort and suits the feel of your venue.
Our bar chairs come in a broad range of styles, and they can be adapted to suit any décor. Take, for example, our Dijon bar chair. With its woven polyurethane wicker, stainless steel footrest, and majestic black finish, it’s perfectly at home in a bar or nightclub. On the other hand, the mocaccino finish of our Tierra Bar Chair is the ideal addition to a beach-themed restaurant or bar. For a more upscale venue, the plush cushion, extruded aluminum, and charcoal grey finish of our San Michelle Bar Height Chair is a beautiful finishing touch.
Consider these four elements, and you’re guaranteed to find beautiful bar stools for your outdoor space!
