Bar Stool Buying Guide
At Atlantic Shopping, our range of bar stools has evolved into an array of styles to suit all tastes. The designs vary; from adjustable height models to those with fixed seat height, some with or without backrests and some with arms. Many are exclusive to us in Europe, with original collections designed in-house. We also upgrade all of our metal bases to thicker gauge steel to make our stools stronger, plus we ensure that every product is fire retardant. We’ve created this handy buying guide, with six steps to help you choose the right design for you.
Firstly, consider which room you’ll use your stools in. Is it your kitchen? Games room? In a commercial bar? This will influence the design that you choose. Look for a design that will fit the style of your room, like traditional wooden stools for a country kitchen, or contemporary chrome for a modern breakfast bar. If your kitchen features a certain style, perhaps brushed steel or black metal appliances, then you might want to compliment these with brushed steel stools or satin black stools. You should also consider the colour scheme. Here you have three options. Firstly, you could match the seat colour with the worktop. This is the most popular choice. Secondly, choose a colour to match your cabinets, or, thirdly, introduce a new, contrasting colour.
Knightsbridge Oak Stool Tweed Fabric - £199.99
Perhaps you are looking to situate your stools in close proximity to your chairs? By matching the designs, you can create a cohesive and stylish look in your space that will help to visually connect different areas of the room, making the space feel more unified and inviting. If this is an option you would like to explore, you might want to consider taking a look at our Matching Bar Stool & Chair Designs. This handy guide showcases all our products that have been created as a pairing for this exact purpose.
When purchasing a stool, it’s highly likely your choice will primarily be based on the seat design you prefer. A bar stool’s visual style can have a huge impact on its surroundings, you can choose shades and textures that subtly blend into your bar area, or use opposing qualities to create a striking appearance. With a wide range of designs available in a variety of styles, materials, and colours, we have products that will cater to an abundance of different decor themes and desired aesthetics.
Kanto Bar Stool Charcoal - £99.99
But where to start? As the concept of bar stools has evolved, so has their design. Incredibly popular right now are modernised takes on the traditional four legged stool designs. Proven to stand the test of time, they come with solid metal or wooden legs and offer a sturdy foundation to your seat. A perfect example can be found in the Kanto (pictured above).
Linear Brushed Steel Bar Stool Cream - £89.99
However, you may like the ability to adjust the height of your bar stools to your needs and this is where our range of gas lift models have so much to offer. Incorporating 360-degree swivel functionality, and coming with a range of sturdy, sophisticated bases this style comes in a versatile range of metalwork finishes. A classic representation is seen in the Linear Brushed Steel (pictured above). Now, what if you like the sound of both these features – a fixed height stool that also has the ability to rotate? Lines such as the Hamilton offer just this.
Glam Bar Stool Blue Velvet - £139.99
Our vast collection of products covers everything you might need, stools like the Ascot Leather are the pinnacle for a traditional country kitchen, whilst fabric covered stools like the Glam (pictured above) offer a versatile range of colourways and textures, showcasing a softer feel that adds comfort to your surroundings. Another style that has become a firm and recognised favourite for a contemporary look is the use of ABS Plastic in models such as the Drift (pictured below). This hardwearing and durable material creates a new-age and ultra-clean feel, often associated with Scandi Design.
Drift Oak & White Bar Stool - £99.99
Every feature of a Bar Stool has its benefits, from functional features to visual aesthetics. So, whether you are looking for solid wood or sturdy metal, plush fabric or resistant leather, a compact or encompassing seat and a static or manoeuvrable design – there is always the right combination for you!
Height is probably one of the most important factors when choosing a stool. To be comfortable, there needs to be enough room for your legs to go under the bar or worktop, so that your posture is similar to sitting at a table. Lots of designs feature a gas-lift mechanism, allowing you to adjust the height to suit you.
Hamilton Bar Stool Charcoal - £139.99
Below is a chart outlining the standard surface heights of tables, kitchen bars and commercial bars, and the height of seat they should be paired with.
| Surface | Surface Height | Seat Height |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Table | 75cm | 45 - 48cm |
| Kitchen Bar | 90cm | 65 - 70cm |
| Commercial Bar | 100 - 110cm | 75 - 80cm |
Low Stools for Tables
Bridging the gap between stools and traditional dining chairs, our Low Stools are designed to fit under a dining or kitchen table, which stand at a height of 75cm. Between 45 and 48cm, they’re perfect for those who want to enjoy the benefits of kitchen stools at a lower height. Some models are multipurpose, and can be lowered for use at a table, or extended for use at a breakfast bar.
The Correct Height for Kitchen Stools
The majority of kitchen worktops and breakfast bars have a height of 90cm from the floor to the underside. Our collection of kitchen stools, have seat heights ranging from, 65 to 70cm, the perfect height to compliment work surfaces. This will give you approx 20-25cm for your legs and will be comfortable to sit at.
Stools for Commercial Bars
Taller than domestic surfaces, commercial bars generally stand at around 110cm. We have a great range of commercial stools, measuring between 75 and 80cm. These generally feature heavier bases to improve stability as the height increases. You can learn more about the differences between commercial and domestic bar stools here.
We have lots of different designs, with a diverse range of widths. Our smallest model is just 30cm wide, and our largest has a width of 60cm. Take a look at our width guide video for help choosing the right size for you.
To work out the best design for you, you firstly need to measure the length of your bar. Most people know how many seats they require, so you need to divide the length of the bar by this number. You’ll need to leave about 15cm between each stool, so that they can swivel and you can move between them. If your bar is against a wall, you’ll need to leave a space between the wall and the first seat. Remember that features like armrests and padding will increase the width. All the measurements you need are on our website.
We’ve created a handy width calculator to help you to work out the best size stool for your bar. Simply enter the length of your bar, the number of seats you need, and whether your bar is against the wall or not. The calculator will tell you the maximum seat width for your bar. You can then use the width slider to refine your search.
Bar Stool Width Calculator
When it comes to comfort, an incorporated backrest is a very popular feature as they encourage good posture and offer valuable support during more prolonged use. Backrest heights can vary, but they are always measured on the inside, from the top of the seat pad to the top of the back support.
Coming in a range of heights, backrests typically fall in to one of three categories – high/tall backrests, medium backrests, low/no backrests (or backless). As you can imagine, each of these offers different advantages to your bar stool and different aesthetics to you bar area. Whilst a high back can be as tall as 43cm and a mid-height one will be around 20-25cm, both will start to extend above the surface of a standard kitchen worktop. This can change the focus of your room, from the worktop to the seat, and so to make for a more interesting focal point, certain designs feature stitching, studs, and knockers for a visually pleasing aesthetic. It is also important to remember that the view of the back of the seat, is just as important as the front – so why not choose one with a striking and embellished design?
Aside from the visual statement, the ideal backrest support height you choose will depend on the use and purpose you require. Low back and backless stools are perfect for perching. They are compact in design and can be neatly stowed away beneath your bar, a great option if you’re restricted on space. Designs such as the Oslo are the architype of this style, however if you are after a little more reassurance, stools like the Jive have a small lip which secures the bottom of your back.
If you feel you want a stool that offers good support to the lumbar-thoracic junction but does not dominate the visuals of your bar area, then a model with a medium height backrest is a great option. Encompassing designs that curve to your back, like the Mimi, keep you feeling comfortable and secure, whilst models like the Pacific offer a more typical L-shape design that promotes good posture.
Lush Real Leather Brushed Stool Grey - £249.99
For all out relaxation and luxury, a high backrest is the support choice for you and stools like the Diablo are great for creating comfort with subtle charm. Offering you exceptional comfort for longer periods of time, tall backs are a great option when your stools are to be used during mealtimes and socialising. Often suited to larger, more spacious areas, high back stools do occupy more visual space, but like the Ascot Fabric they offer elegance and impact. Discover more about our supportive designs in our article on Supportive & Ergonomic Bar Stools.
The table below compares backrest height with seat width, demonstrating the space that more supportive models can occupy:
| Stool Type | Backrest Height | Seat Width |
|---|---|---|
| No & Low Backrest | 0 - 18cm | 30 - 45cm |
| Mid-height Backrest | 19 - 27cm | 38 - 55cm |
| High Backrest | 28 - 43cm | 38 - 60cm |
Bar stools with armrests are always a comfortable choice with many different designs available. Arm heights range from 8cm to 21cm and the Skyline Bar Chair featured below, demonstrates how it comfortably supports the elbow with a height of 19cm. You can find out more information in our article on Bar Stools With Or Without Arms.
Seat Depth & Overall Seat Depth
We include both of these measurements on our website, as they can be important. Seat depth is the distance from the front of the seat to the front of the backrest; the part that you actually sit on. The overall depth is the measurement from the front of the seat to the back of the backrest, or how much space the stool will actually occupy.
Footrest Width
Footrest widths vary between designs. Generally, circular footrests are around 36-38cm, designed in proportion to the base. More expensive models often have more elaborate footrests. These are usually made of thicker steel and are often larger, again in proportion with the base. For more information, see our Footrest Guide.
Base Diameter
Bases also vary in diameter, ranging from 38cm to 50cm. The vast majority, however, have a diameter of 38-42.5cm. Models with larger seats usually feature a wider base to increase stability, designed in proportion to the seat size. For more information, see our article about stool bases.