Looking to incorporate more seating space into your kitchen? If your kitchen design includes an island or extra high counter space, it may be a smart idea to leverage that space for added casual seating. Kitchen bar stool seating is a great place for kids to perch when they get home from school or for the family to sit when having a quick breakfast.
Adding stools to your kitchen design can be a wonderful way to make the space feel even more comforting, homey and, most importantly, functional! However, choose the wrong stools and you’ll find that your family and guests rarely sit on them.
Here are a few simple, foolproof tips on how to choose the right stools for your kitchen.
Be Careful About Height and Fit
No one wants to sit at a kitchen stool and find themselves awkwardly hunched over or sitting at a counter that feels miles below or above. Choosing the perfect height is probably the most important step of picking the perfect counter stools.
Standard counter stools are usually 24-39” tall, while bar stools tend to be a little taller at 42” in height. Be sure to measure your counter before purchasing your stools; for optimal comfort, stools should be about 10” lower than your countertops!
TIP: stools typically come in 3 heights
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Table Height: same height as your dining table
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Counter Height: same height as your kitchen counters (not raised counters)
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Bar Height: for raised counters 42” tall (like the raised stools at your favourite bar)
* Check the details or specifications of the bar stool to see what height the stool is intended for.
You’re also going to want to think about fit, specifically, you need to consider how much room the barstools will take up. Ideally, you should plan for about 20-24” per stool, depending on how you and your family plan to use the space. For instance, sitting and chatting over a coffee or glass of wine can be done comfortably with 20-22” of space per stool. However, if you plan to use this space for family meals, allocate 24” minimum per stool for optimal comfort.
Tip: is your space more compact? Maximize the seating area by incorporating barstools without armrests! Round stools are also great for tighter spaces!
What Kind of Stool Will Suit Your Needs Best?
Counter stools come in a surprising amount of variety. Some are built right into the floor, while others can be moved around. Some have backs or cushions, while others are a simple seat. Some have foot rests, while others don’t. We think you get the point… there’s lots of variety out there!
And variety means that each type of stool is going to serve a different purpose or function. Think about what your family actually needs from the stools. If you have young kids, it may be smart to pick extra sturdy stools with ample back support. If you have a smaller space, you may want stools with no arm rests to save room and maximize space. Will family members or guests be sitting in these stools for long periods of time? Be sure to take all of this into consideration
Finally, Select a Style That Suits Your Space
The final thing to consider is also the most fun — style! What do you want your counter stools to look like? This is actually a pretty important consideration as a bar stool can either tie a whole room together or create an eyesore that looks out of place and awkward set against the rest of your kitchen.
Kitchen stools should complement and enhance your space. Are you looking for sleek, clean lines to compliment your contemporary kitchen? Or something a bit more detail oriented and formal to reflect a traditional style? We find that a varnished wood stool looks great in classic or a minimalist kitchen, while an iron stool might look better in an industrial chic space. Try to pick a material and colour that matches or complements other elements in your kitchen design.
Stools also present an opportunity to incorporate a little added texture and colour to the room. Stool cushions, for instance, can add some warmth and colour to your space. Or, chairs with gold or silver accents will help create a bolder look.
Let Bloomsbury Kitchens Help You Create the Perfect Kitchen
You may be surprised by just how hard it is to get your kitchen looking the way you imagined it in your head. That’s where we come in. At Bloomsbury kitchens, we pride ourselves on designing, building, and installing some of the best, highest quality custom cabinets in the GTA. We oversee the entire project and assist our client’s in sourcing pieces for their kitchen… kitchen bar stools included! Get in touch to find out more!
Photography: Kassandra Arbour Photography
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