Barstools get returned for one reason more than any other: they are the wrong height. The fix is a tape measure and two numbers. Here is how we size stools for kitchen islands, bars and pub tables in DFW homes, and which of our Elite Modern, Amisco and Kube models fit each situation.
Measure the surface, not the stool
Ignore the stool for a moment. Measure from the floor to the top of the counter, island or bar the stool will tuck under. That single number tells you which category you need.
- Counter height. Surface is 34 to 36 inches from the floor. This is a standard kitchen counter and most kitchen islands. You need a counter stool with a seat 24 to 26 inches high.
- Bar height. Surface is 40 to 42 inches from the floor. This is a home bar, a raised island ledge, or a pub table. You need a barstool with a seat 28 to 30 inches high.
- Table height. Surface is 28 to 30 inches. That is a dining table and takes a regular dining chair with an 18-inch seat, not a stool.
Some islands have two levels, a 36-inch work surface and a 42-inch raised ledge. Measure the level the stools actually sit at.
The 10-to-12-inch rule
The number that makes a stool comfortable is the gap between the seat and the underside of the counter. Aim for 10 to 12 inches. Less than that and thighs hit the counter; more and you are reaching up to eat. So a 36-inch counter with a 1.5-inch-thick top has an underside around 34.5 inches, which pairs with a seat 23 to 25 inches high. Measure to the underside if there is a thick countertop or an apron.
Adjustable stools remove the guesswork
If your surface is in between sizes, or you use the same stools at a counter and a pub table, a hydraulic swivel stool solves it. Elite Modern builds a range of these in the USA: the Bolo, Carina, Costa, Vivian, Regal, Helix, Lana and Chip are all offered as a Swivel Barstool with Hydraulic. A gas lift lets you set the seat anywhere in its range, and the swivel makes it easy to turn toward the room without dragging the stool.
The trade-off is a pedestal base with a round footplate rather than four legs. Some people prefer the look; others want the traditional silhouette. Decide which before you fall for a fabric.
Fixed-height stools: cleaner lines
If you know your counter is 36 inches, a stationary counter stool is the simplest choice and usually the lighter, more architectural look. Elite Modern offers the Bolo, Carina, Costa and Vivian as Stationary Counter Stools, plus the Magnum Stationary Counter Stool with Wood Back. Kube’s Aarhus, Ace, Iris and Luke Counter Stools take the same fixed approach at a different price point. Amisco, made in Canada, builds metal-frame stools including the Ronny, Cardin, Payton, Barry, Brock, Bryce, Easton, Ethan, Fame, Lance, Lauren and Pablo; ask us which height and swivel options each is available in, since Amisco offers most designs in more than one configuration.
How many stools fit?
Plan on about 26 to 30 inches of counter length per stool, measured center to center. That gives shoulders room and lets people get on and off without bumping. Armless, backless stools can go a little tighter; stools with arms need the full 30 inches or more. Divide your usable counter length by 28 to get a realistic count.
- A 6-foot (72-inch) island overhang seats two comfortably, three if the stools are narrow and backless.
- An 8-foot (96-inch) overhang seats three comfortably, four if narrow.
- A 10-foot (120-inch) overhang seats four.
Also check the overhang depth. Knees need at least 12 inches of clearance under the counter; 15 inches is better for a stool with a back.
Backs, swivels and footrests
Backless stools tuck fully under the counter and disappear, which is ideal in a small kitchen. Low-back stools are the compromise. Full-back stools are the most comfortable for long sits, like homework or a drink with friends, and they read as furniture rather than accessories. Every stool should have a footrest; at counter height your feet do not reach the floor, and at bar height they are nowhere near it.
Swivel bases are worth it in a kitchen where people turn to talk. In a formal bar a stationary stool keeps the line neat.
Pub tables
If you are furnishing a game room or a breakfast corner rather than an island, a pub table pairs with bar-height stools. Elite Modern’s Trilogy Pub Table with Ceramic or Glass, Crystal Pub Table and Mason Pub Table are the ones we carry. Measure the pub table height the same way and apply the same 10-to-12-inch rule. Our bar tables collection has the options.
Materials for Texas kitchens
Islands take abuse: spills, kids, dogs. Metal frames, performance fabrics and wipeable seats hold up best. Leather and faux leather are easy to clean but can be warm in summer. Wood backs add warmth to a very white kitchen. Bring a photo of your counter and cabinet color when you visit and we will pull stools that work with it.
FAQ
What stool height do I need for a 36-inch counter?
A counter stool with a seat 24 to 26 inches high. Measure to the underside of the counter and keep 10 to 12 inches between it and the seat.
Can I use bar stools at a kitchen island?
Only if the island is bar height, 40 to 42 inches. At a standard 36-inch island a bar-height stool puts your knees against the counter. When in doubt, a hydraulic adjustable stool covers both.
How many stools fit at an 8-foot island?
Three comfortably, four if the stools are narrow and backless. Allow 26 to 30 inches per stool.
Bova Contemporary Furniture is at 4490 Alpha Rd Ste 300, Dallas, TX 75244, near Addison and the Galleria area. Call or text (972) 716-9600, email Sales@Bovadallas.com, or stop in Mon–Fri 10am–7pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 12pm–5pm. Browse our barstools, bar tables and dining collection online, then ask which Elite Modern, Amisco and Kube stools are on the floor so you can sit before you buy.