In the UK, we’re experiencing a boom in kitchen and dining furniture from handy kitchenware all the way to sleek and sultry seating. Speaking of which, bar stools are growing more and more popular, which begs the question: should you go for counter vs bar height seating? Well, it all depends on how you want to strike the balance between looks and functionality. In this guide to counter height vs bar height stools, we’ll advise you on what size will work best for your kitchen.
Contents:
- Counter vs bar height dining
- Quick reference overview
- Benefits of counter/bar height stools
- Key Differences
- Counter stool or bar stool heights – which is better?
- The cons of bar/counter height seating
- Choosing the right dining height for your kitchen
Quick reference height overview
- Bar height – 105cm
- Barstool height for a counter – 70cm
- Counter height – 90cm
- Stool height for a bar – 75-80cm
The benefits of using different barstool heights in your kitchen
Elegant space savers
The reason that stools have become so popular of late is that they offer a great space-saving alternative. One of the golden rules for saving space in the kitchen is to go up, making use of the floor to ceiling height rather than the floor space alone.
Counter and kitchen bar stools offer just that. With a long, slim design and a small surface area, they take up minimal space and can be tucked away under traditional countertops – giving you room to move around freely.
Versatility by the bucketload
We can’t go any further without singing the praise of kitchen stools’ versatility. Thanks to their elegant, streamlined design, they blend effortlessly into both minimal and maximalist settings. So whether your eye is on the Japandi trend or something more “cluttercore”, there is a cavalcade of options out there to suit your needs.
Just as you would expect with dining room chair styles, there is ample choice in upholstery materials, colour and finishes. Why not try out a quirky tractor seat barstool for size? Or enjoy the ergonomic design of a height adjustable barstool? Not only do they look charming, but they prove that you can find accessible seating solutions that allow you to play around with something that blends into your design, not jumping out from it.
No empty posturing
When it comes to healthier living, bar height and counter height stools have an edge over your standard dining chair. Not only can they be adjustable – perfect for those with mobility issues – but they promote improved posture.
Bar and counter stools are designed to be ergonomic at heart. Instead of forcing your body into a 90-degree posture as a straight-backed chair would, stools allow your body the room to breathe and move. With your legs and thighs sloping lower down, your spine will ease into a more natural position. Good riddance to the slouch!
Counter vs bar stool height: the key differences
Even though bar stools and counter stools are quite similar at a glance, there is a key distinction that makes them non-interchangeable. And that distinction, as we know, is height.
Counter height seating
As the name suggests, counter height seating is anywhere from 89 to 101cmtall, the same as a standard kitchen countertop. Though, on its own, this will not work well for hiding clutter, you can disguise mess by blending the elements of counter and bar height seating together with a two-tiered kitchen island or counter.
This is advantageous for a number of reasons:
- It is more accessible for people with access needs, elderly visitors and young children.
- It brings dining and food prep all onto the same level, so adults can be entertained and prepare food in the same space.
- It creates one sprawling work surface that lends itself beautifully to buffet-style service.
Counter stool dimensions
Counter stools are the shortest of the two at around 70cm and can be used for bar counters, shorter kitchen islands and kitchen tops. The average barstool height for a counter that we’ve provided here considers the standard kitchen counter height of 92cm plus some wiggle room for the comfort of crossing your legs under the table.
Bar height seating
One of the best reasons to choose a bar height stool is to make things appear tidier. If yours is quite an open plan kitchen, attention may be drawn to clutter. Raising the breakfast bar above the kitchen countertop gives you the chance to hide away mess, in a stylish, sociable setup.
Bar stool dimensions
Bar height seating is designed for those whose ‘breakfast bar’ area is elevated next to the food prep area itself. The typical stool height for a bar is 82cm, give or take a little. This means that the bar height stool is higher than a counter height stool, and higher than the kitchen counter by around 15cm.
Non-standard barstool heights and dimensions
While, generally speaking, you should choose a 70cm bar stool for a standard 92cm kitchen counter and up to an 82cm stool for a raised breakfast bar, you might come across a counter or breakfast bar with unusual dimensions. If this is the case, a good rule of thumb is to select a stool that is 20-25cm lower to give your legs ample space.
Breathing space
Another thing to consider before you buy your kitchen seating is elbow room. After all, you don’t want to bring a set of bar stools home, realising that they are too cramped side by side.
To prevent overcrowding, stools with a seat measuring 40-45 cm across should be spaced out with 15cm between them. For wider stools, leave 20-25cm.
Top tip: Don’t forget to consider the legs and/or handles, either! Most bar stools range from 49.9cm to 99.9cm wide when accounting for levers or wider leg fittings.
What about the cons of bar and counter height seating?
Cleaning up
Bar height seating is very much designed for adults, so it’s tricky if you’re in a household with a young family. There may also be more ‘clean-up’ required as you’re essentially working with two countertops.
Dealing with mess
Counter height seating can make a space appear bigger, but it can also draw the eye to mess or clutter – and increase the risk of spills if there’s a sink.
Accessibility
If you are catering for a person with limited mobility or specific access needs, careful consideration is due here and perhaps some extra planning.
When you’re deciding between counter vs bar height seating, you need to make sure you can accommodate elderly visitors and wheelchair users – and this means ensuring your kitchen layout is accessible, however awkward, and getting the kitchen island size to room ratio just right.
Counter stool or bar stool heights – which is better?
With respect to bar stool heights, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s more about finding what clicks, what kitchen layout will make your life easier. If you have kids, perhaps opting for a lower counter height vs a taller barstool height will do just that, opening up a space where they can do their homework under supervision or delight in helping out with a delicious, new baking project.
On the flip side, you might want to prioritise separating your dining space from the rest of the kitchen. Bar height is certainly the more elegant approach here, but with planning, it can be an accessible one too.
Simply because it’s the taller option doesn’t mean that you can rule it out if you’re a disabled person. Pair your breakfast bar with a lightweight yet firm, height-adjustable stool and you can’t go wrong! Just ensure that the stool has a good centre of balance and swivel, so you can get to all the workstations you need.
Choosing the right stool for your kitchen
For full flexibility, we recommend either an adjustable bar stool or one with a changeable back. This gives you more leeway to customise your seating to match your needs, ideal if you are entertaining both adults and little ones.
You may also consider back support if you’re sitting for long periods of time or just want a dash of extra relaxation. But either way, there are so many barstool ideas and interior styles to take inspiration from.
Whichever stool you choose, we hope it provides you with the comfort you deserve. You can find out more about how to choose the right stool for your kitchen right here on our blog.
