How to Choose The Right Bar Stools - A Complete Buying Guide

Are you looking for new bar stools for your home but don’t know where to start? Then worry not. With our buying guide, you can shop confidently and find the perfect stool for your home.

Understanding Your Budget

The first step to choosing bar stools for your home is understanding your budget and how much you have set aside to spend. Take some time to go through your monthly home expenditure and any additional outgoings before deciding how much you can afford to set aside for your new stools. With a range of affordable stools on the market, you won’t need to leave yourself short.

Deciding Your Ideal Seat Height

The last thing you want to do is spend your hard-earned money on a bar stool that looks great, only to find out that it is too low or too high for your space. Rest assured this is easily avoided. Take some time to measure your space to understand the seat height that you need - a rough guide is a 20-30cm gap between your countertop and the seat. If you still aren’t sure of what height to buy, simply choose an adjustable stool or click here for more help. 

 

Finalising Your Style Preference

It is easy to get carried away with style ideas when shopping around or looking for inspiration but it’s important to remember the space that you are buying for. Would bright and vibrant suit your home or a wooden, rustic style? Is your home decor modern and contemporary? A minimalist’s dream? A classic, traditional style or other? Choose a store that has a diverse variety of stool styles to make shopping for a bar stool easy.

Choosing Your Favourite Materials

Traditionally, bar stools were comprised of simply wood or metal and had a very basic design. Fast forward to present times and a diverse variety of materials are used to produce stools. Choose leather bar stools for a durable, long-lasting seat, Rattan as another durable, water-resistant choice, and velvet for a comfortable, stylish seat. With a choice of metal, wood or plastic legs, you can mix and match materials until you have the perfect design.

Deciding on Features

Before you begin to look for bar stools, make a list of your must-have features such as armrests, backrests, fixed or swivel style and keep these in mind when you are browsing. Consider how often you will likely use the bar stools and whether you would like padding on your seat for additional comfort. Remember, there is a diverse variety of stools on the market, so you will never have to compromise on your feature preferences. 

Understanding the Optimum Quantity for Your Space

So you know what style, material and features you like, and the ideal height for your stool. Now it is time to decide on the number of bar stools that you need. For most homes, you will need either two or four but take the time to measure your space and decide how many you need.  As a guide, there should be about a 15cm gap between each person to allow for the correct number of people without making the area feel too small or sparse. Are you prioritising space or maximising the number of stools that will fit? 

Find a Great Bar Stool Store

Now comes the fun part, shopping for your new stools! The best place to shop? Bar Stool Home. We offer a comprehensive selection of styles, colours and materials, so you are sure to find the perfect set of stools for your home. From fixed height to adjustable, our range can fulfil your design brief with ease. So what are you waiting for? Browse our collections or get in touch to discuss your unique requirements today.