Today, bar stools are no longer associated exclusively with drinking establishments. They gained wide popularity. Now the seats on high legs can be found in the kitchen of an ordinary apartment. Even in the dining area of a small studio of 18 square meters, the chairs successfully fit into the atmosphere and add functionality to the room. As soon as there is an idea to purchase a bar counter for a house, the question immediately arises of which chairs to choose for it in the kit. To make the right decision, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main characteristics of such a piece of furniture. This will help to take into account all the nuances and choose exactly what you need.
For what purposes is a bar stool purchased?
If everything is clear with the bars, then the question of the need for an apartment in a bar stool or even several remains open. In what cases is this relevant or even necessary, and when is it better to abandon an eccentric idea?
If you want to remove the wall between the kitchen and the room, the bar counter with chairs will perfectly cope with the function of the partition separating the place for cooking from the living room. You can replace the dining area with a narrow tabletop and a pair of chairs, freeing up additional space. The sizes of bar stools for the kitchen are very different: from a low design without a back to a massive high stool with a footrest. Depending on the goals pursued, they are looking for the chair that best embodies the design idea.
GOST requirements for bar stools
Now that the furniture can be easily ordered by your standards in a private workshop, there are chairs of various sizes. However, there are some standards that most manufacturing firms adhere to. And not only because it is convenient and makes it easy to assemble bar racks and chairs from different sets together.
The dimensions of the bar stool according to GOST are 85 and 95 cm. Products 95 cm high are marked Bh, which means BarHocker - a high bar stool translated into Russian. Chairs 85 cm high are marked Th (TresenHocker) - a low bar stool. The former are used for bar counters with a height of 130 cm, and the latter - for counters 110 cm in height.
When calculating these numbers, we used data on the average person’s growth, the most comfortable sitting positions, as well as the optimal ratio of the height of the chairs and the tabletop.
What should be a bar stool
The dimensions of this piece of furniture depend on the height of the rack. Therefore, you should first decide on its parameters, and only then pick up the seats. The shops present bar counters of various heights: from 100 to 160 cm. As a rule, each option is suitable for a specific model of chairs.
For bar counters, which are located in residential premises, namely in the kitchen, a height of 85-90 cm is characteristic. The reason is that, as a rule, the counter is a continuation of the kitchen set and therefore must be on the same level with the working surface of other elements. To divide the room into zones using this design, it is recommended to choose higher models.
When buying a bar, you should start from your own feelings: try to stand next to it, sit on a chair - it should be convenient for you.
What height should a bar stool be?
Standard bar stool sizes fluctuate in the range of 75-85 cm. This indicator depends on the height of the rack. When choosing, you should be guided by ergonomics: chairs, if possible, should easily fit under the countertop. This approach helps to use the kitchen space economically. If there are children in the house, it is advisable to purchase chairs that they can sit on without assistance. To ensure maximum comfort while sitting, you should choose models that have no more than 30 cm of difference in height with a bar counter.
Choice of bar chair designs
The seat, legs and emphasis are the main elements that make up the bar stool. Dimensions, design, the presence of armrests - it all depends on how the piece of furniture will be used. If you want to put chairs on top of each other or push them under the countertop, freeing up space, it is better to choose a model without a back. But such chairs are not suitable for long gatherings, as being on them for more than an hour is inconvenient. Therefore, if the bar counter is a place for hours of gatherings, minimalist stools will be out of place.
You can also purchase chairs with adjustable seat height. This piece of furniture is easy to set to the desired height depending on your needs. An important nuance that must be taken into account when buying a bar stool: the size and location of the footrest should allow you to comfortably fit on the chair, no matter what height it is adjusted to. Otherwise, the product will not be so convenient to use.
Models made of wood, metal and plastic: what to choose?
The most popular type of furniture for the bar area is a bar stool made of wood. The size and design of such products can be very diverse. Wood is a malleable material from which you can make both a laconic stool and a massive chair with a carved back. Wooden stools will look solid and comfortable.
Another version of products made of natural material is a wicker bar stool, the seat dimensions of which are slightly smaller than that of a conventional wicker chair. Such pieces of furniture are made from vine, rattan or cane. Models made of wicker material are perfect for a country house or a summerhouse.
Plastic chairs will be a good choice for a kitchen made in a modern style. They are practical, lightweight and resistant to weather, making them convenient for outdoor use. They are easy to wash and carry from place to place.
Metal chairs are durable and stable, and models with soft upholstery made of fabric or leather are ideal for long gatherings in the living room. Such a chair is difficult to overturn, but it is worth remembering that it can leave marks on the floor, scratch the floor.
Nuances to keep in mind when choosing chairs
Some models of bar seats are equipped with a rotating mechanism. This can be very convenient if you not only sit at the bar, but also perform the functions of a bartender. A spinning chair allows you to easily reach the table with the ingredients without distracting from the conversation.
The footboard is another detail that a bar stool cannot do without. Its size and height may vary, but it must be strong enough. The footboard is used not only in order to conveniently position the legs, but also as a support.
Chairs can have three or four legs, or even one, equipped with a large weighty base, which increases the stability of the structure. To prevent the product from damaging the flooring, protective caps made of rubber or other material are put on the legs, which protect the floor from scratches.
Cafe Chairs
If chairs are purchased for a bar in a cafe, the choice should be made based on functionality. For the room in which crowded events are planned, stackable options are suitable, which are convenient to put on top of each other during cleaning.
Sizes of bar stools for cafe are selected depending on the height of the rack. If the bar area is not separated from the resting place of visitors, it is better to purchase chairs made in the same style so as not to violate the harmony of the interior.
Having determined for yourself the purpose of acquiring bar stools, what functions they will perform, and also what height the bar will be, it is easy to choose the option that will fit in the surrounding space in the best way and will be most convenient to use. With the help of bar stools, you can not only free up space and visually divide the room into zones, but also give the kitchen a little charm of a cozy bar.