Bar Stool Height
Bar Stool Height: Choosing the Right One
By Andrew Hampton
The sheer amount of diversity available in today's modern bar stool scene is surprising to many. The average shopper has a plethora of choices to make, including what material they want their stools made out of, then you have to decide what upholstery you want to use, assuming you want the seat covered and padded at all, and then you have to decide on which height is right for you. Today's kitchen stools come in heights ranging from 24 inches to 30 inches, with many models also coming in at 26 inches and 29 inches. Which type of kitchen stools is right for you? It all depends on the following factors.
How you use them
If you don't already own your own tape measure, you probably want to run out and get one. You need to measure from the floor up to the underneath side of whatever surface you plan on using your stools on. One mistake that many families make is that they only measure in on area, but then they plan on using their stools in multiple rooms. If you are hoping to use your stools at the bar, at the dining room table and then again in the living room when you have guests over, make sure you measure all three places and make your decision based on all three pieces of information.
Crunching the numbers
On average, a person needs about 10 inches for leg room, so if you are measuring for a surface that is 40 inches, a 30 inch bar stool would work perfectly. If you want to allow for a bit more room, you may want to get one slightly shorter to give members of your family a bit more space. This is especially important if you have a house full of large men who need more space than what others may need. You also need to take into account the height of the seat as well as the height of the legs. This is especially important if you have chosen a padded bar stool that features a seat with four or five extra inches of padding on it. If you have chosen an unpadded seat, than this won't be a problem.
While every home is different, in general, the average height for a counter top in most Western style homes is 36 inches and the average bar height is 40 inches. Don't take these numbers as gospel, however, the most important factor you need to look at is how and where you plan on using your stools. It is the folks who choose to use their stools in more than one place that often run into trouble, and don't forget to measure outside if you plan on moving your kitchen stools out onto your patio or balcony.
As you can see, choosing the right height on your kitchen stools is a fairly easy proposition. All you need is your trust tape measure and a good idea of how you will be using your stools once you have them in your home.
December 25, 2010
3:29 pm
30″ is probably fine (considering how specific it is haha) but be sure the height is to your liking…some people like to be right on top of the bar while others prefer a bit of a sunk-in feeling. the most important thing is to avoid the dreaded knee bang! leave plenty of room, and consider any foot rests on the bar or stool when making a decision…hit the stores!
December 27, 2010
3:18 pm
How do I know what height of bar stool to buy?
My bar is 43″ tall.
December 27, 2010
8:37 pm
if the bar is 45 inches high, what should bar stool height be?
December 28, 2010
5:40 pm
Do they make parts that will allow me to extend my bar stool height?
Bar stool chair leg extensions – do they make these? I bought 2 bar stool chairs (wood), but they aren’t tall enough; and I can’t take them back. I want to make them taller. Are there any products that I can add to the foot of the legs that will increase the height safely? When I do a Google search, all I get is: chairs that have extension built in or exercise equipment. I need a product that I can stick around and to the end of the legs in order to extend the height.
My bar stool chairs are 30 inches, I want to extend them to 40 inches.
December 30, 2010
1:32 am
Walmart sells foldable barstools, or if you want something more comfortable for your clients, Pier 1 Imports sells barstool height directors chairs which are collapsible.
December 30, 2010
1:46 pm
Try a restaurant supply company.
December 30, 2010
8:06 pm
need a foldup chair of bar stool height for facepainting..Need info now!!?
December 30, 2010
8:41 pm
I couldjust answer you but you obviously need a whole course in “How to estimate guidelines for Seat Heights ”
IMPORTANT! Make sure you have accurately measured the intended counter top where your bar stool, counter stool, kitchen chair or dining room chair will be used – and be sure to leave adequate clearance: And accurately
The rule of thumb – Leave 9″ (thin legs) to 12” (Schwarzenegger legs) between the top of the seat and the top of the counter.
Also, seat heights are measured from the floor to the top of the seat – NOT to the top of the seat back.
Here’s an easy way to measure YOUR most comfortable seat height:
1. Move a chair next to the counter where the bar/counter stool is going.
2. Measure the chair’s seat height (usually around 18 inches).
3. Pile up some books on the seat until you get a comfy sitting height.
4. Measure the top of the books to the floor – Voila! That’s the number!
Seat heights:
• Typical dining room & kitchen chairs are 18” to 19” & go with 28” to 30” high tables.
• You need 24” to 26” counter stools for most kitchen counters, usually 36”to 39”.
• You need 30” standard bar stools for 40” to 43” counters.
• Extra tall 34” to 36” bar stools are for very tall 46”- 50” high counters.
So there you have it 33-34 inches or even 78-80 cms….
December 31, 2010
1:44 pm
where to buy a tray table with bar stool height?
Other small folding table would be OK