There seem to be so many different names for stools. There are kitchen stools, bar stools, outdoor stools, step stools, and so on.  But what about breakfast bar stools?  Breakfast bar stools really aren’t a whole lot different than other types of stools.  In fact, it is the location that you put them that changes their name.  Nonetheless, there is great demand for these little seats.  People need a place to eat breakfast.  Many of us are in a hurry in the morning, and we just want to be able to pull things out of the fridge and pantry and eat quickly.  This is the beauty of the breakfast bar and stools:  You can put it right in the kitchen so it is within easy reach of everything.

A breakfast bar looks like a rectangular table.  They usually aren’t very big, since they need to be able to fit in kitchens that don’t have a lot of room to spare.  If you already have a kitchen island, you can just use that, and simply buy some stools to place next to it.  Typically, kitchen breakfast bar stools are made out of wood.  Though metal ones do exist, the vast majority of them are wooden.  The reason that wood is used is because they match other features in the kitchen like cabinets, which are made out of wood as well.  Oak is probably the most popular material, followed by cherry and maple wood.  These are beautiful and hard woods that last a long time.

Styles of breakfast bar stools

The majority of stools are simply designed and don’t have backs.  This kind of stool is fine for most people, but they aren’t the most comfortable when sitting for long periods of time.  Another option is the breakfast bar stool that has a back on it, just like a normal chair.  These have the features of a chair, but they have the long legs of a stool, so they sit higher off the ground.  If you are the type of person who likes to enjoy breakfast and read the paper or chat for a while, I would definitely recommend getting comfortable stools with backs on them.  You will also need to make sure the footrest is at the correct level.  Try a stool out, put your feet up, and make sure you like it.  Having a place to put your feet is important.
One of the most common styles available is the mission breakfast bar with stools.  The mission style is very popular and beautiful, with its simple, old fashioned, yet elegant designs.  Many of these mission styles feature bars that are very simple, and others have a table that is wooden but has a tiled surface on top, giving it a special accent.  You can match your stools with other items you have in the kitchen or bar area, such as a bar fridge or a the kitchen tiles.

Although you can easily find them separately, purchasing a breakfast bar with stools is most likely going to be your most economical option.  In addition, when you buy them as a set, you are ensured to have stools that perfectly match your little table.  Of course, if you want them in contrasting colors, you can just buy the table and the stools separately.  As far as quantity, pretty much all sets available include a breakfast bar with 2 stools.  For most households, 2 stools in the kitchen is all that will fit.  If you need more, you can always buy 2 more stools separately.  The reality is that few kitchens are large enough to seat 4 or more people, so you will have to move to the dining room.

Breakfast Bar Stool Prices

If you are looking to find some breakfast bar stools cheap, you can find them for as little as $20 each, but a greater value is to get a whole set including a breakfast bar with two stools for as little as $76.

Tags: Kitchen Furniture, Stools by Jeffrey
No Comments »

Finding the right bar stools for your kitchen depends on both how your kitchen is designed, and also your tastes.  The kitchen can be a busy place.  We cook, socialize, eat some or all of our meals, and relax reading the newspaper or a good book.  Every kitchen needs a comfortable place to sit, and bar kitchen stools are the answer.

Why can’t you use ordinary chairs in the kitchen?  The problem here is that the counter tops are designed to be at a height perfect for cutting things and performing various other kitchen tasks without having to bend over.  Unless you are extraordinarily tall, if you sit on a chair in the kitchen, you will be below the counter.  Kitchen counter bar stools allow you to sit and relax at just the right height.  In addition, many stools allow you to adjust the height up or down.  This feature comes in handy when multiple people in the house will be using the stools.  Children will need to raise the seat, and adults may need to lower it.

Types of Stools

There are a number of different types of stools available to choose from.  Wooden kitchen bar stools are very popular because they usually blend in nicely with the wooden cabinets.  You can choose a color that matches them.  In addition, they portray a down-to-earth touch to your kitchen.  The one drawback to wooden stools is that they usually aren’t adjustable.

Metal kitchen stools are also very popular.  They come in a wide variety of styles, made out of different metals.  Some have a rough look, and others are sleek and shiny looking. Unlike wooden stools, metal ones usually are adjustable.  There are thousands of styles to choose from.  You can go with something very conservative and old fashioned looking, or you can choose contemporary kitchen bar stools that look like they belong on the space shuttle!  Whatever your tastes, you will be able to find something you like.
Some kitchen bar stools have all the features of a chair, only the legs are longer so they sit higher.  Others are designed out of molded fiberglass or metal and are contoured to provide maximum comfort.

When you are thinking about your kitchen bar and stools, it helps to go over what you will be doing in this area.  If there is one meal that most people eat in the kitchen, it is breakfast.  We tend to eat lunch and dinner in the dining room, but breakfast usually tends to be eaten quickly.  Kitchen breakfast bar stools allow us to take things out of the refrigerator and place them right on the counter.  This saves us lots of set-up and clean-up time.

A kitchen island with bar stools placed around it is a very common design in homes throughout the world.  An island is a free standing counter that sits in the middle of their kitchen.  You can put kitchen island bar stools around the counter, and use them for both preparing food and also for eating.  In this way, your island will function as both a table and an easy to reach and clean area for various kitchen tasks.  You can even put your bar fridge on one of the ends of the island, if you choose one the same height as the counter, you can use it as a prep area as well.
Many people are pleased to find out that stools often cost less than chairs.  At the low end of the price range, you can get a set of two cheap kitchen bar stools for thirty dollars. Fifteen dollars a piece is hard to beat.  If you step up to fancier models, they will cost you more, with some stools made by famous designers even climbing into the hundreds of dollars.  A good place to browse for kitchen stools is on Amazon.com or other websites.  They will give you a good idea of the styles available to you.  If you prefer to see them in person, large furniture stores like Ikea will have many models to choose from as well.  An advantage of seeing them yourself first is that you will be able to give them a “test drive” as well, checking for things like comfort and durability.

Tags: Kitchen Furniture, Stools by Jeffrey
No Comments »