What’s The Difference Between A Counter Stool vs Bar Stool + How To Select One
There’s an exhausting amount of complexity + specificity in the places we call home.
Friend, selecting counter stools vs bar stools is no exception.
In fact, one of the most common questions we get asked is what the heck is the difference between a counter stool vs bar stool?
If that’s you — then trust me, you’re not alone because most of the clients who don’t ask… often don’t even know there is a difference. *wink*
The wrong stool for your home might mean you’re banging your knees on the underside of a counter or leave you feeling like you’re sitting at the child’s table :)
And there’s a lot you can read about selecting the right height of counter vs bar stools for your kitchen but measuring’s not difficult.
What’s hard is understanding how to decipher what counter stool or bar stool will work for you.
So, let’s dive into the counter stool vs bar stool conversation + then give you some tips on how to select one for your home.
The Height Of The Stool Matters
The most fundamental difference between a counter stool vs bar stool is... well, the height of the stool.
And that matters because you’ll likely be sliding these stools underneath a table or a countertop. Here are some basic measurements to wrap your brain around :)
Dining tables are typically 28-30” in tall...
Dining Chairs seat height: 16-20”
Kitchen islands and counter height tables are typically 36” tall...
Counter Stool seat height: 24-27”
Bars typically are 42” tall
Bar Stool seat height: 28-33”
Keep in mind that you always want to verify your countertop or bar measurement with the height of the stools you’re selecting to ensure there’s enough space underneath the surface so that your thighs + knees aren’t crowded.
So, how much space should be between the top of the cushion + the bottom of the table or countertop?
What we recommend is at least 9-12” inches of space below the countertop + the top of the seat cushion.
The Width Of The Stool Also Matters
In fact, the width matters just as much as the height because how else will you be able to identify how many counter stools or bar stools will fit?
What we recommend is really simple for kitchen islands: ensure that there’s 28-30” of seating space for comfort + elbow room. Now, that’s measuring from the center of one stool to the center of the next.
But how much seating do you leave on the ends? Well, you want to leave about 14” of space on either end so those folks aren’t feeling too crowded.
Another way to look at this is you can easily take your entire opening + divide it by 30” + get a number of recommended stools. Now, if the stools you’re selecting are low profile, no arm, etc then perhaps you can add an additional stool but this is a safe bet to have you headed in the right direction.
Ultimately you want no less than 6-8” of space between each stool.
Function Always Precedes Aesthetic
Phew! With the granular measurements behind us…
A common saying in our design minds at Elegant Simplicity is “function always precedes aesthetic.” Now that you have some basic barometers for height/width whether you’re selecting a counter stool vs bar stool or not — what you need to consider is the functionality.
Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself:
How will the counter stool or bar stool be used in this space?
Does it need to be comfortable?
Easy to clean?
Flexible enough to pull into another area during larger gatherings?
If you have young kids then perhaps backless or upholstered stools are out unless they’re a durable fabric.
If you want the seat to be comfortable for longer periods of time then perhaps a hardwood or tough leather stool isn’t a good solution.
If you want the counter or bar stools to be able to see into another room or be pulled into different areas then maybe we should consider a swivel or adjustable stool.
All that said, let’s explore the types of counter + bar stools available.
Types Of Counter Stools + Bar Stools
When it comes to counter stools and bar stools there are a lot of choices out there but building off the functionality are the “types” of stools.
Armless Stools
Don’t take up as much space because well, they don’t have arms that stick out. These are often a great choice when you need a low-profile stool to fit an opening but would also like to have a little back support.
Backless Stools
Similar to armless stools, backless stools have neither arms nor a back #Shocker
But they do create a very streamlined look + because they don’t have a back they typically allow you to get in + out of the stool easily by coming over the top of it without always having to pull it out.
Swivel Stools
At this point, it’s probably no shock to you that a counter or bar stool that swivels allows for a lot of flexibility as it promotes conversation from multiple rooms (i.e. the swivel) + can make it quite easy to sit down in or get out of because it rotates. You do need to be mindful that when swiveling the chairs don’t bang so be sure to leave enough space in between.
Adjustable Stools
Adjustable stools are great because depending on the application they can, typically, function as a bar stool or a counter stool.
You can see we’re not just focused here on selecting cute counter stools or pretty bar stools — yes, the aesthetic certainly matters but the functionality that your family needs takes priority.
Counter Stool + Bar Stool Style’s Can Be Tricky
There’s not only a ton of functional needs for counter + bar stools and obviously various types of stools to choose from but there’s also a wide range of styles.
In our opinion, design isn’t static. In other words, what you like today — you may not like tomorrow which is why you really want to identify why you like what you like.
You see good design is about inspiration, not replication.
So, instead of looking around at a bunch of kitchens + trying to find exactly the counter or bar stools that you see in a picture what you should do is narrow in on a particular design style by asking yourself beyond functionality what does my kitchen need?
Perhaps what it needs aesthetically is to add interest by way of texture, pattern or a contrasting color or element.
If you need to add texture, then perhaps you would consider a stool with a woven back or arm.
If you need to infuse color, then perhaps you would consider a stool that’s upholstery or finish brings in some lively energy.
If you need to kind of modernize the kitchen then perhaps introducing a new finish like a black metal or leather will do the trick.
See so much of design is subjective… “I like this. I don’t like that.”
Which is why what style you choose is really not about looking at replicating what someone else’s kitchen looks like (that’s not your kitchen).
Deciding what counter stool vs bar stool you need from a stylistic standpoint is a lot like identifying the functionality — it comes from assessing what your kitchen needs + aligning that with what makes sense for you + your family.
Well, there you have it… the difference between counter stool vs bar stool + how to select one.
And while it might feel a bit overwhelming trying to figure out exactly what’s right for you — you want to take time. Don’t rush through the process of creating a home where you’re simply after trying to replicate what you see online or in your news feed.
Each design consideration that you make, including the counter stool vs bar stool debate that we’ve outlined above, I promise you is going to make your home feel truly unique to you.
And don’t forget, if you’re in the preliminary planning stages of your next project, let’s chat.
P.S. If you loved this article then you’re going to really enjoy the4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.