At a Glance:
Understanding Bar Stool Dimensions
What to Look for in a Bar Stool
Industrial Bar Stools with Backs
Transitional Bar Stools with Backs
Contemporary Bar Stools with Backs
At Bob Mills, we believe there’s nothing more special than family gathering around to enjoy a weeknight meal. We’re traditional folk ourselves, but we also pay attention to current trends, and one of our favorites has to be using a kitchen island as a multifunctional table. In place of a traditional table, kitchen islands allow homeowners to use a single area for a variety of purposes, from preparing meals to dining, which can save a ton of space while creating an instantly modern look.
If you ask us, we recommend setting up your island dining arrangement using bar stools with backs for the most comfort — and we have five picks inside that we think you’ll love! There are a few pointers to keep in mind before shopping for bar stools with backs, so make sure to read our entire quick guide to set yourself up with the right bar stools for your kitchen’s design and needs.
Shop Bar Stool Deals
Bar StoolsUnderstanding Bar Stool Dimensions
Before you start the fun of bar stool shopping, it’s important to measure your kitchen so that you buy bar stools that are the right height for your countertop. Typically, kitchen bars are 40 to 46 inches in height, but each kitchen I different, so you might have countertops that are shorter or even higher in some cases.
Just keep this in mind:
✅ Counter height bar stools with backs measure between 24 to 27 inches at the seat and are ideal for bars that are 36 inches tall.
✅ Pub height bar stools with backs are 28 inches and taller and are ideal for bars that are taller than 36 inches.
Unfortunately, counter height and pub height are often used loosely between manufacturers, so make sure to pay attention to bar stool dimensions rather than trusting a product name.
What to Look for in a Bar Stool
Don’t underestimate how much research goes into finding a quality bar stool with a back. Overall, these are what you should keep in mind.
Seat Comfort
This depends largely on the type of household you have. While adults are more tolerant of harder surfaces, children will probably feel more comfortable on a bar stool with a cushioned seat — and that’ll make all the difference come time to eat dinner.
Foot Support
While it’s not completely necessary, having a place to rest the feet is nice versus leaving them dangling. Additionally, a footrest can help users get in and out of a barstool easier, which again, is convenient when dealing with little tykes.
Adjustability
Adjustable bar stools are great because they can adapt to just about any counter height. They’re also convenient because they allow users of different heights to sit at an ideal level.
Material
Overall, deciding which material your bar stools will be is the biggest factor you should consider aside from height.
- Wooden bar stools are durable and great in rustic kitchen designs.
- Upholstered bar stools are the most comfortable and offer the most design variety.
- Leather bar stools with backs are the most expensive, but they are the most luxurious and are easy to clean.
Bar stools with backs offer a unique twist to the kitchen setup, and since they come in a variety of shapes and styles, homeowners can truly get creative with how they use these dining room furniture pieces. Allow us to show you five of our favorite styles of bar stools with backs!
Industrial Bar Stools with Backs
If aged wood, metal, and natural materials sound appeal to you, then you might be a fan of industrial design. Although the look might not be at its peak of popularity it was a decade ago, industrial interior design remains a popular home style that fans praise for its edgy look. Word of advice: stick to this style if you have a larger kitchen, otherwise, the dark tones can make the space feel crowded. That is, unless you use a light color scheme, in which an industrial-style bar stool with a back can make a real statement.
Our Pick: The Sunny Designs Homestead Bar Stool
We enjoy swivel bar stool with backs since they provide free range to move as you please, making it even easier to get in and out of one of these chairs no matter how much space you have. This pick has all makings of an industrial-style chair: dark leather seating matched by wood stained in a rich tone with rough-sawn details and a dash of metallic with a wrap-around footrest. At 30” tall, this bar stool is recommended for kitchen bars between 40 and 42 inches tall.
Transitional Bar Stools with Backs
Take the best of vintage design and marry it with modern details and you get transitional design. This style is the preferred choice for homeowners who like elegance and refinement. Think clean lines, classic color palettes, and a touch of luxury.
Our Pick: The Elements International Ben Broadway Bar Stool
Talk about feasting like royalty. From the navy-blue velvet upholstery to the gold, gilded legs, this set of transitional kitchen bar stools with backs is glamorous and sophisticated with a dash of daring personality. But our favorite feature is the wide back and demi-wing silhouette that nestle the body for an enjoyable dining experience. If your kitchen countertop measures 36” tall, this pair is the perfect addition.
Casual Bar Stools with Backs
As a general rule of thumb, busier kitchens with a lot of traffic should consider bar stools that are easy to maintain. The casual look is perfect for this kind of setting, but really, the easygoing design of a casual bar stool will work with just about any space. Take our next pick, for example.
Our Pick: The Elements International Seth Bar Stool
This set of Elements International Seth seats would make the perfect farmhouse barstools with backs in a kitchen with whitewashed wood accents and a quartz countertop. Then again, these white bar stools with backs are just as lovely in a modern kitchen full of bold colors. Whichever way you decide to use these bar chairs, they’ll make a statement with their striking combination of black metal bases and white faux leather upholstery fitted in biscuit tufting.
Contemporary Bar Stools with Backs
Characterized by clean lines, playful geometry, and common materials such as wood, metal, or upholstery, contemporary design is one of the most flexible design styles to work with. Contemporary bar stools can be playful in shape and often reflects popular trends of the times. While the look can come across as safe at times, contemporary design has a knack for staying relevant season after season.
Our Pick: The Olliix by INK+IVY Bar Stools
We love using geometry and negative space to create texture in a space without overcrowding an area. This contemporary bar stool does it brilliantly with its mosaic of cutouts that create a cracked effect. As a result, this wooden bar stool with a back doesn’t feel heavy and exists organically with its surrounding. Soft padding is the right complement to the softness this bar stool provides. At 31” tall, this is best suited for countertops 42” and taller.
Modern Bar Stools with Backs
Swanky and stylish — modern bar stools have all the coolness of “Mad Men” for a dining arrangement that truly feels special every time. Highlights include dark tones, leather, metal, and sleek lines, as well as daring designs. If it looks like it belongs in an editorial magazine, it’s probably a modern bar stool, and it’s sure the make a statement.
Our Pick: The Hammary Hidden Treasures Bar Stools
Take a look at how smart this swivel bar stool with a back looks! The exposed mechanics are visually appealing while giving a nod to modernism with a touch of industrial influence. The addition of faux leather seating stays true to the high-end look of modern design, not to mention a cozy place to sit during meals. However, the adjustable base is the true highlight, allowing this bar stool to be used with a variety countertop heights.
Learn More: The Best Gray Dining Room Sets
A kitchen island or countertop is the perfect opportunity to add seating with bar stools with backs whether it’s to give the space a completed look or to give everyone in the family their own place to sit and eat. While we’re fans of our own picks, the pointers we’ve outlined in this guide tell you all you need to know to buy a set of bar stools with backs for your kitchen.
If you do happen to need some inspiration or some friendly guidance, feel free to reach out to Bob Mills. We specialize in furniture, so our experts can help you take home a set of bar stools with backs you’ll love. Explore more online or in-store today!
Why Trust Bob Mills Furniture?
At Bob Mills Furniture, we believe that everyone is family. Since 1971, we have delivered beautiful furniture for 50 years (and counting), with ten sprawling locations in the U.S. — from our flagship store in Oklahoma City to San Antonio in Texas to Wichita in Kansas. Our friendly staff aims to offer the greatest comfort and value, with elegant styles to match your taste, décor, and design. In addition to coziness and style, we also stock furniture and mattress brands with strong reputations and track records of durability so that you can enjoy your investment for years to come.
Shop Bar Stools with Backs at Bob Mills
Start reveling in endless comfort and shop dining room furniture online for unbeatable prices at Bob Mills. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you design a dreamy dining area with a set of bar stools with backs — whether you call the Bob Mills Furniture store nearest you or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our showrooms throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas to discover why we are everyone’s favorite local furniture store. Visit us today!
Learn More: Extendable Dining Room Table Benefits