At Stool Source, choosing the right bar stool is critical...especially buying the right height for the bar you will be using your stools at. More than any chair type, bar stools have a very wide variety of styles, sizes, and options to choose from. Whether you are sitting at the kitchen countertop or breakfast bar or outside at your patio bar, buying the right height bar stool is critical toward comfort and safety.
First...make sure you measure the countertop or surface where you will be using the stool from ground to bottom of the bar countertop. Leave enough clearance space in between for leg comfort - this comes down to personal preference and body size. A couple of inches either way is not going to hurt your buying decision but 6" to 8" will! It is good to note that standard kitchen and dining room chair seat to ground are only 18" to 21"; but most kitchen tables are only 28" to 30" high. This is leaving 9" to 12" for leg clearance from the top of the bar stool seat to the bottom of the countertop.
Second...double check the height of the bar stool you have your eye on. A bar stool height is based on ground to top of seat. The average kitchen counter is 36" to 39" which will need a 24" to 26" bar stool. Taller bar stools are required for 40" to 43" counters; you'll need one that is 30". Lastly, for extra tall counters and surfaces, 46" to 50", you will want the extra tall 34" or 36" bar stool. Again, remember that you will want 9" to 12" between the top of the bar stool's seat and the surface of the countertop.
We hope this quick measuring guide has given you good insight in assisting your buying decision. If not, feel free to contact us.
