Buying Guide

We would like to make your experience shopping for furniture enjoyable, rewarding, and successful. We realize that purchasing furniture can be quite a daunting task without receiving the necessary help and information. In order to make your experience easier, we offer a furniture buying guide to give you the information you need on all of our products, from Bedrooms to Patio furniture, and everywhere in between. Search through our offerings and learn more about each category of furniture it pays to keep some basic facts in mind before you begin shopping for furniture.

bar stool

Bar Stool buying tips
The height of bar stools determines where they should be used.

18 inches: used at a vanity or dressing table. This is also the height used at slot machines, if you decide to add one of those to your home bar.
24 to 26 inches: kitchen bar stools. Use these at counters which are 36 to 39 inches high.
26 to 31 inches: standard barstool size. These will fit at counters and bar tables that are 40 to 45 inches tall.

Taller bar stools can be up to about 36 inches high, but these are usually custom stools, so you probably won't see many of these available. To know for sure what height you need, measure from the floor to the top of the counter or bar table, then subtract 9 to 12 inches--this is the maximum height of your barstool.

If you are unsure how many stools you should have around your bar table or at your counter, measure the length. You'll want 21 to 24 inches of counter space per stool, depending on the width of each bar stool. Most pub tables fit four people, one person on each side, but you may be able to fit a bigger crowd at a counter. Once you know the bar stool size, consider comfort and style.

If you plan on hanging out in your home bar a lot, you may want something upholstered, such as leather bar stools. A stool with a higher back may make the time spent in your home bar more enjoyable. For a bar area that's near a wall, swivel bar stools can make it easier to get in and out of smaller spaces.

If you'll just be using the stools for a few drinks and a little conversation, comfort isn't such a big factor, so focus on style. Most of the time, you'll see the back of your bar stools, so choose something that has a rear view you like. Retro bar stools in brightly colored vinyl will give your home bar a whimsical feel--like a burger joint or an ice cream parlor. Wooden bar stools can feel traditional or casual, depending on the type of wood and whether or not the seat is upholstered. Sleek metal bar stools with low backs can turn your home bar into a swanky hangout.

Bar Tables
The difference between a bar table and a dining table is size--usually both height and width. The average bar table is about 42 inches tall; dining tables are usually about 30 inches. Dining tables can seat four, six, eight or more; bar tables are typically made to accommodate four, sometimes six.

Bar Furniture Care
Like most furniture, dusting and the occasional wipe-down with a damp cloth is enough care for your bar furniture. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations to be sure. Remember that wherever there are drinks, there are bound to be spills sooner or later. Protect your wood bar stools and table with a good furniture polish. Spray upholstered bar stools with a fabric protector. Always wipe up spills as quickly as possible to avoid stains

Why are some barstools more expensive than others?
The main factors contributing to the prices of bar stools are materials and construction. For example, leather bar stools will probably cost more than stools upholstered in fabric. Some bar stools may seem similar but have different prices, and this could be due to the foam in the padding. They will both be comfortable and soft, but one bar stool may stay that way longer. The way that the bars stools are put together--if they are welded or screwed together, for example--can affect price, too.
Make sure to check whether the barstools you want are available individually or in sets. A price that may have seemed high will suddenly seem reasonable when you find out you are getting two stools for your money.