Tips for Selecting Kitchen and Bar Stools: Part Two

From proper spacing to decorative options, take a look below for even more advice on your kitchen and bar stool selection.

Tip #5: Consider your space.

A typical stool without arms needs about 2 feet of counter space and a stool with arms needs about 2 ½ feet. However, there are certain styles that require a little more room or can get by with slightly less. Taking this into consideration allows room to walk in between each stool to get in and out. It also accounts for people swiveling to turn and view a TV or chat with friends.

Tip #6: Think about versatility.

How will your stools and the space around them be used? Do you use the counter for serving purposes? A low back or backless stool would make reaching the counter easier. Will you use the stools at two different height counters? Going with an adjustable height model would be best. Will family and guests be sitting for a few hours watching a movie or game? A comfortable seat, backrest and armrests would keep them lounging in comfort so long you’ll have to find a reason for them to leave.

Adding a backless stool to coordinate is great for the bartender (or the cook for that matter) so they can enjoy themselves just as well on the other side of the island.

Tip #7: Check out their backside.

Yes, I know this sounds a little risqué, but when you’re talking about barstools it needs to be said. Most of the time when deciding which stool to buy, you look at a barstool model from the front, right? Because so many of us have that open floor plan, you will often be viewing the stools from the backside. So what do you want to be staring at? Are all the details on the front? Is the back covering up your beautiful new granite counters? Something to think about and there’s no wrong answer, just the right answer for your home.

Tip #8: Plan ahead for Options, Options, Options.

We recommend bringing in samples of your cabinetry, countertop, hardware, paint, and/or pictures of your home to help aid in the decision with all of these options. These will help me, the designer, or one of our bar stool experts to help simplify your decision.
Here at Peters we try to give you a boat load of options. Seriously, we have over 300 models on display. Along with showing many unique models to spark your interests, most of the stools we show are available to customize. We can choose the seat height, color of the frame, and the upholstery material - fabrics, vinyls, and leathers. Some manufacturers offer additional choices such as with or without arms, decorative nail heads, cushion style, metal footplate, distressed wood stains, or an added protective wax finish. Customers own stain (COS) and customers own material (COM) are other possibilities, too, if you need that one-of-a-kind design.

Tip #9: Stools to go.

If all those options are just too much to take in, well, Peters has over 50 different styles in-stock on a daily basis. If you love it, you can take it home the same day. We even have our Peters Backroom with over 30 sets of 2, 3, 4 or more stools marked down and ready for the taking.

* Check out Peters Billiards website for more barstool inspiration or visit our store location to sit in over 300 models.

*** Be sure to check out Tips #1-4 in Tips for Selecting Kitchen and Bar Stools: Part One.