By: Chelsea on April 29th, 2011
Bar stools are becoming a must-have piece of home furniture and are quickly making their way into homes all across the world. With many homes having bar height counters or even a built-in bar, the demand for high quality bar stools is now greater than ever. Many office furniture manufacturers are catching on to this trend and have begun mass producing many different makes and models. With the wide selection of bar stools available, there are a number of factors to consider before making the splurge to purchase multiple stools.
Andrea Colorful ABS Stool
Price – The most common misconception about bar stools is that because of their large size they will be expensive, however this preconceived notion is more fiction than fact. There are plenty available that are both affordable and durable, if you know what to look for in advance. Many home furniture stores will mark up their prices on bar stools knowing that once they have you in their door they have a better chance of selling to you on the spot then you having to go through the trouble of driving to other home furniture stores to compare pricing.
If you have a general idea of the look and type of bar stools you are looking to purchase, it is best to search for an online furniture retailer where the pricing is much more competitive and therefor will often be priced much lower than physical retail stores. If you are buying your bar stools in bulk, often times you will be eligible for a volume discount, helping you save even more money than if you were to purchase your stools one at a time. There are also cheaper upholstery options that can help save you money as well, for example look for a vinyl or leather look-alike material if you want a leather bar stool. If you are less particular to the level of comfort your stool will provide and are more concerned with the appearance opt for an ABS plastic stool. ABS plastic, although sounds cheap and flimsy, is resistant to heat, chemicals and impact making it a viable option for bar stool seating.
Tessa Wooden Bar Stool
Upholstery – There are a number of upholstery options and styles available for bar stools with the main choices being wood, plastic/acrylic, fabric, leather, and vinyl. When trying to figure out which upholstery will work best for your home the best place to start looking is your kitchen or bar area to determine which will go best. If your kitchen or bar area already has a pre-existing modern vibe opt for something a little more edgy such as modern plastic/acrylic stools that are often available in a variety of fun modern colors to choose from. If you take pride in your kitchen’s wood workmanship you can easily accentuate this with wood bar stools that come in a number of different finishes to match your cabinets or counters. We all love kids, but know that they are prone to spills and stains on our furniture. If you have kids in your house, stick with a material that can be easily cleaned such as vinyl. If you are opting more for comfort and will be using your stools for extended seating fabric upholstery is always a safe bet for a comfortable sitting experience.
Features – Generally speaking, when you are looking to purchase a bar stool, the features and how adjustable the stool will be is usually is not the first concern that comes to mind. Although a bar stool does not need to come with the same high level of adjustability you would look for in a regular office chair, there are some features that may be desired for your home. The first feature that any bar stool should have is a footrest; your feet will need a spot to rest with the floor being inaccessible at that height. A footrest will allow you to sit more comfortably on the stool and keep your body in a natural position.
One feature that is not entirely necessary but is still important to consider is height adjustment. You may find yourself wanting to use your bar stool in a different capacity which is when having height adjustment would really become beneficial. Seat height adjustment is also advantageous if you are not sure if a stationary stool will fit correctly underneath your counter. Having this feature eliminates the worry and guess work that comes with trying to figure out the exact seat height needed to fit under certain counter heights.
Parsons Stool With Back Rest
The last feature that you may want your bar stools to have is a back rest. Back support is ideal for homes with children to ensure they have proper support and do not accidentally fall off when seated. A stool with a back rest may also feel more comfortable and natural for most as the majority of people are already accustomed to sitting in chairs with back support. Contrarily, backless bar stools are more traditional in appearance and the staple for typical bar seating that you might find at a restaurant or a pub. They also encourage correct posture by forcing you to sit up right while aligning your spine. The option for a back ultimately comes down to comfort and what you are most familiar with.
Everyone has different tastes and preferences which is why most internet and store retailers make sure to keep a large selection of bar stools available in order to meet most needs. If you are apprehensive about purchasing a full set of bar stools for your home, start out by purchasing one and if it is the right fit you can always purchase the rest at a later point in time. Do not be afraid to ask questions, that is what furniture sales people are for and it is always better to feel absolutely comfortable with your purchase instead of regretting it later.
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