Counter Stools – Compare and Contrast Options You Can Use to Make a Unique Kitchen Design
Reforming a kitchen is always a challenge. Breaking away from an established seating pattern can be exciting and frustrating at the same time, but it gives you the opportunity to compare and contrast the options you can use to make a unique kitchen design. This is especially true if you’re setting up a pub-style counter or table.
A contractor’s or draftsman’s yardstick will come in handy for measuring the height of your table or counter. How many times have you been to a restaurant or bar and the stool seemed to be the wrong size for the table or counter? The rod will allow you to accurately measure the distance from the floor to the top edge or counter of the table, giving you an idea of what style and height would be most appropriate.
For example, if you have a 46″ kitchen counter, the most appropriate stool would be 34″. A quick rule of thumb is to have a 9-13″ gap between the seat and the counter. This will provide a very comfortable seating experience for the average person.
Instead of a kitchen table, the counter top dining room is an aesthetically pleasing alternative. The kitchen countertop dining space is usually incorporated into a multi-purpose island. These islands can be an exaggerated square, oblong, or kidney-shaped. The top can be made of wood covered with a polyurethane, marble or ceramic finish. They can usually comfortably seat two, four, or even six people, depending on the width of the counter stools.
When designing the counter seating area and counter stools, due attention should be paid to users. To feel a part of the overall family dining experience, allowances for a lower counter and smaller stools will need to be incorporated to accommodate younger children. Many manufacturers make these smaller stools in the same style as full-size counter stools.
For a more European flavor, metal stools are usually a good option. The circular ringed footrest adds to the overall comfort of the stool. The multicolored art deco stools are more reminiscent of a retro look, while the thickly padded upholstered stools lend themselves to a more elegant look. For a more eclectic look, chairs in similar but somewhat different styles can also double as counter seating.
No matter what the style, the stool should be sturdy in design and allow for 6″ to 10″ of comfort space between the seated guest and the counter. The design should never dominate the general decoration of the kitchen, but complement it. Counter stools add warmth and unique seating possibilities; much more than the traditional table against the wall with chairs pushed under it or a large table that takes up a lot of space in the middle of the floor. With height requirements in mind, the possibilities are endless when creating a uniquely designed eating area with counter stools.