If you know where to look online, you can find resources to help you plan every part of your new apartment’s design. This includes all the details you’ll need to pick the right furniture. Bar stools can be some of the trickiest furniture to find because so much goes into selecting just the right size. It’s worth putting in the time to find the right option because bar stools are the perfect complement for areas like bars and counters. If you’re having a hard time picking out your ideal bar stools for your apartment, read on. Our buying guide contains just about everything you need to know to get the right furniture match for your needs.
Bar Stool Height
This is one of the most important steps to picking out a functional set of bar stools. To start, you’ll need to know how high your counter is. Use a tape measure to get an accurate reading for the height, and take note of the measurement before you go to the store. Make sure you measure to the bottom of the surface instead of the top because this is what’s ultimately going to affect your leg room. Once you know this height, it will be much easier to narrow down your search for stools. The appropriate bar stool for your counter or bar will be about 10 or 12 inches shorter than the bottom of the counter’s surface. This gives you enough space to fit your legs.
If your stool is too short, the counter will be too high for you to sit at comfortably. If your stool is too tall, your legs will be cramped, and you won’t have enough space to move them at all. If you like to sit with your legs crossed, take that into account and get stools that give you closer to the 12-inch side of the space range. Most stools will be named according to the kind of surface with which they make an ideal pairing. For example, you’ll see names like the following:
• Table Stools
• Bar Stools
• Counter Stools
• Tall Stools
If you’re torn between two sizes, or can’t make up your mind, you can find adjustable stools so you can change the height later. This is especially helpful for people who may be moving soon, or who might use their stools in multiple locations around their apartment.
Bar Stool Styles
Once you’ve determined the right bar stool height, you can start thinking about which style or styles are best for you. Backless bar stools are the easiest to store under a counter, but they don’t offer as much support when you sit in them. They may become uncomfortable if you sit in them for a long time.
If you want a bar stool with a back, you can choose between a low back or a fullback style. Low backed bar stools are typically more modern, and they’re a mixture between the high-backed variety and backless bar stools. They offer a little bit of support and are still might fit completely underneath your bar or counter. Bar stools with fullbacks won’t be able to fit under your counter (assuming you get the right height), but they’re the most comfortable option.
If you plan on sitting on your stools for long periods while you eat, drink, play games, or hang out, fullback bar stools might be your best bet. They offer the same general feel as sitting in a chair, so they’re pretty easy to sit in for long periods of time. Some bar stools will even have arms, which is nice if you can see yourself using them away from a counter or bar where you can rest your arms. Also, consider whether you want your bar stools to be able to swivel or whether you prefer them to be fixed.
Number of Bar Stools
The number of bar stools you can fit depends partially on how wide the stools are. Make sure you’re leaving at least six inches (preferably more) to the side of each stool. Another way to think of it is that there should be 28 inches from the center of one stool to the center of the next stool. There should be half of that (14 inches) between the center of the last stool and the end of the bar or counter. This gives everyone plenty of space to sit comfortably and to get in and out of their seat.
Phoenix Apartments
Before you can decide which bar stools are perfect for you, you’ll have to pick out your next apartment. To do that, peruse Heers Management’s selection of apartment properties in the Phoenix area. We have a wide variety of different floor plans throughout our different apartment buildings, and some of them come with the perfect spot for your bar stools. Come by for a showing to see where your bar stools will fit into your interior design plan. Contact us today to learn more or to set up your tour.