Furniture Guide: How to Buy Stools

Furnishing your home is quite a big project and the choices you make throughout are very important. Furniture offers comfort and functionality, while also allowing you to create the kind of stylish ambiance that reflects your taste and personality. Today, we will provide a few effective tips on how to buy stools and make the right decisions for your needs.

How to Buy Stools: A Complete Guide

When it comes to finding a good bar or even shower stool, there are a few things you need to consider. To make the process a lot easier, we have boiled it down to the essentials:

1. Determine the Right Height and Width

On average, counters have a height of 90cm or 36”. As such, the golden rule is that the stools should be 25cm or 9.8” lower than the bottom of the counter. This gives people enough room to sit comfortably and it’s known as “thigh clearance”. On average, thigh clearance should be between 20 cm or 7.8” and 30cm or 11.8”. This information will help you determine the ideal height for your stools, but it will take a bit of measuring.

For starters, you need to measure the distance from the bottom of the counter to the floor. Make note of this because these measurements will be your guiding light. You also have to measure the height of the stool you want from the floor. The difference between these two measurements will be your ideal stool height. Usually, the ideal stool height sits between 62cm or 24.2” and 69 cm or 27.1”.

The width is another important factor to consider when looking for a bar or shower stool. To determine the right width, you need to consider how much space you have and also think about comfort. The smaller the seat, the more stools you’ll be able to have, but the less comfortable it will be. Whatever you decide, make sure you account for at least 15 cm or 6” of space between stools.

2. Choose a Type of Stool to Suit Your Needs

Once you’ve determined the ideal stool height and width for you, it’s time to find the right type of stool. Now, you have many options to choose from depending on your needs. Here are a few popular categories:

• Stools with Backrest

Stools with backrests offer a lot of comfort and they’re a good option because they’re available in a wide variety of styles. For example, if you’re going for a sophisticated and coastal style, Hamptons bar stools with beautifully designed backrests can help you accomplish that. They’re available in a variety of options, from intricate to simple, so you can complete your vision.

A wishbone bar stool is another great example of stools with backrests and they look incredibly stylish, elegant, and modern. Timber bar stools can also be made with backrests to suit any kind of home decor, which allows you a lot of flexibility.

Rattan bar stools can look amazing in any household as well and they’re available with or without backrest, depending on the ambiance you want to create. A bench stool is another great option with a backrest and they’re sleek, available in different styles, and quite comfortable.

• Backless Stools

Backless stools are one of the most popular types of bar and shower stools. For example, if you want a simple shower stool, a low stool made of a high-quality material could be exactly what you need. Teak, granite, bamboo, metal, and even plastic can be great options. A wooden bathroom stool is a classic option and it can easily suit any home decor style.

If you’re looking for a backless stool for a bar or countertop, you will find many different options as well. Including Hamptons bar stools, coastal bar stools, rattan stools, and more. A good timber stool or saddle stool could work very well, depending on your style.

Overall, backless stools are lighter, more visually appealing, and they can be nicely tucked away under the bar or countertop, which is a huge benefit. Especially if your space is limited. It’s also very common for backless stools to be available with an airlift lever and a swivel so people can adjust the height and turn the stool without having to move.

• Upholstered Stools

Upholstered bar stools are available with and without backrests, and they offer endless possibilities. This type of stool is a lot more comfortable because it offers plush seating. It’s also more versatile because you’ll be able to choose from many different fabrics to suit your home decor style.

When it comes to upholstered stools, we recommend you go with a durable, low-maintenance fabric that’s easy to clean. For example, leather is a very common option and it can make the space look a lot more refined. Canvas can also be a good option and it will look good in Hamptons bar stools and coastal bar stools, among other styles.

Vinyl is also a good upholstery material, especially for bar stools, because it’s very durable. It looks similar to leather but it’s thinner and it feels a bit slicker to the touch. This type of upholstered bar stool is available in many different colors and patterns, so it won’t be difficult to find good options for your style.

Final Words

If you’re looking for the right bar or shower stool, paying attention to the height, width, and style will make the process a lot easier. One of the most important parts of the process is to determine the right size you need, so take the time to measure the counter and the available space.

Once you have that, you can start browsing for style options, start thinking about materials, and bring your vision to life. Whether you need a set of stools to complete your bar space or kitchen counter or a single stool to complete your bathroom or shower space, browse our store to find some of the best options on the market!