Bar stools have evolved by leaps and bounds since the first three leg wooden stool. Now we have a wide range of sizes, styles, colors and seating materials. The term "bar stool" came about because they were commonly found in taverns, saloons or bars, but today, they serve more functions than it did back then.
Modern Day Uses
Counter Stools Wood
Today, across the country and around the world it is not unusual to find bar stools gracing a breakfast nook in an elegant home or in front of a counter at your local diner. They look rather smart at a kitchen counter top or island, in a recreational room or at poolside.
Modern styles are made from many different types of materials, of course you have the standard wooden variety, then there's the even sturdier frame constructions such as metal, including steel, chrome, iron and in some cases heavy gauged aluminum, seat coverings like bamboo, leather and vinyl to help with making those little design decisions They come in backed and backless, fixed or rotating and are available in heights ranging from 24 to 36 inches tall. Styling? cover retro, contemporary, antique and rustic.
What To Look For
The first thing you have to look at when shopping for bar stools is the height. How tall or short do you need them to be because you will want them to be shorter than the counter or bar top you'll be using them with. It does not make sense to purchase a 36 inch high bar stool for a 36 inch high bar. Once you have decided upon the correct height, you can have a little fun with choosing the style and color you would want. Other questions you would want to ponder would be if you want a backed or backless, if you're laid back type of person a backless might not be the best choice. How about to swivel or not to swivel? Does the area you're using them in afford enough room for that? The swivel chair is the most popular but there are just some spaces where they would be awkward enough to make you want to just say, "Its ok, I'll just stand." This is something that should probably be considered when considering the height of the stools, perhaps? Let's not forget that you still have to decide on what type of seat cover you want because they have a nice selection to choose from. Leather? Cloth? Vinyl? How about the sink less canvas seat or the mesh?
When you think about it, it's kind of funny that our forefathers never had to take any of these things into consideration because they had the prototype for all of the styles that came after it. Not once did they have to think, "Is this stool the right height for this bar?" or "Does this seat covering match my eyes?" It has been a long road for the bar stool indeed.