When you build a home bar there will come a time when you want to add stools. There is nothing like sitting at the bar on a nice stool. However it can be a bit of a mine field knowing what stools will be best. Also what height should a bar stool be?
Obviously the style and colour of a bar stool is down to personal choice. Or what will go with your home bar decor. A bar stool needs to be practical as well comfortable.
What Height Should A Bar Stool Be?
The perfect height for a bar stool is 762mm (30 inches) to the seat. This is the comfortable setting for my bar stools at my home bar. However it might depend on the height of your bar top to what the height of a stool will be for best comfort.
Some bar stools are fixed so will probably be around the 762mm (30 inch) height. So if your bar is not standard height then adjustable bar stool will be the best type to go for.
What Height Should A Bar Top Be?
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The standard height for a bar measures 1041mm (41 inches) to the top of the counter. So if your bar is this height then a fixed stool which should measure 762mm (31 inches) to the seat top will be perfect.
This gives a comfortable experience for you and your guests.
However if your bar top is higher than the standard, then a fixed stool may not be the perfect fit. The same goes if your bar is shorter than standard, again a fix stool may not work.
So how do you get the right stool if your bar top is not standard height?
What Is The Best Stool For A Home Bar?
Even though I built my own bar to the standard height, I did not want fixed stools. The important points for me is to have stools that swivel, have height adjustment, a backrest and a footrest.
However I don’t want my bar stools to be too bulky, so the search is on for the perfect bar stools.
The important features will differ from person to person. But a bar stool that is adjustable not only takes into account the bar height for best comfort. But also a persons height too, which means each individual can adjust for their own comfort.
After searching through many bar stools I finally found the perfect stools for my bar. All the important features for me are included and they are pretty comfortable too.
I didn’t set the stools at 762mm (31 inches), instead I sat on them a adjusted until they felt comfortable. Then I measured the height to the seat, and it measured 760mm (29.9 inches). So there is something in the standard stool height to fit with a standard bar height.
To give you some idea of the range of adjustment my stools have I measured both the lowest and the highest adjustment.
The lowest measures 584mm (23 inches) to the top of the seat. Where as the highest measures 812mm (32 inches) to the top of the seat.
This gives a good range of adjustment to suit any height bar as well as most people too.
Bar Stool Features To Consider
Apart from height adjustment there are a few other features to consider when looking for bar stools. The obvious ones are the ones I have mentioned like having a stool that swivels. It just makes it easier to mount the stool and then swivel to face the bar.
Not all stools come with a backrest, but it does make for a more comfortable stool. Supporting the back when sitting is important, so consider this when looking yourself.
Armrests add to the overall comfort too, but they are not essential and can make a stool bulky. My stools have sort of got armrests, however they are not really at the right height being a little low.
A footrest is a good feature because as the stools are quite high, without one your legs would just be dangling. A good sturdy footrest aid comfort too.
The padding on the seat and back is something to consider. Too thin and it will become uncomfortable fairly quickly. So look for a decent depth of foam for comfort and support.
Style, material and colour are also a consideration, yet these are more of a personal choice rather than for practical or comfort reasons.
These will also depend on not just personal choice, but also the decor of your home bar.
Final Thoughts
So to recap I have put the things to consider when looking for bar stools in a handy list.
- Height Adjustment or not
- Swivel or not
- Backrest
- Armrests
- Footrest
- Seat and Backrest padding
- Style
- Material
- Colour
- Base size
The last one base size I did consider but forgot to mention. Obviously only for stools that have bases, this doesn’t apply to stools with legs.
The bases on stools come in different sizes and some I looked at measure 300mm (12 inches) in diameter. I went for 450mm (18 inches) which makes the stool more sturdy. I once had stools with small base and they easily toppled over.
These are the things that can help when looking for the perfect bar stools for a home bar. If you know of any others that I have not considered, then do share below.
Rob is a passionate home bar and pub shed enthusiast with a passion for craft beer. With hands-on experience in designing and building his own home bar, Rob shares his knowledge, tips, and inspiration to help fellow enthusiasts create their own perfect space. Alongside the world of home bars and pub sheds, Rob also explores the diverse and exciting realm of craft beer, providing honest reviews to help you discover your next favorite brew. Join Rob on a journey of flavor, design, and craftsmanship right here on Home Bar Kit.