Stool Shopping Guide

Although I don’t specifically sell my own line of Timber + Plumb stools, I have a lot of knowledge about them because every kitchen we do these days practically all have stools. Now, there are not necessarily rules to purchasing stools but rather guidelines on what you should be looking for and what you should consider before making a purchase. Since I try to make these blog posts easily digestible, I’ve attached a guide with some notes about what to look for when shopping for stools.

Difference between Bar Stools and Counter Stools – There is a difference between the two, bar stools are made for countertop heights of 42-45” high and counter stools are made for countertop heights of 36-38” typically. This can be a huge costly mistake when planning out your kitchen if you buy bar stools as they will be too tight on your legs typically when paired with a 36” high countertop. So, when shopping in person or online use this as a guide to figure out which stools work best in your space;

Counter stools look for seat pan height of = 24”-27”

Bar stools look for seat pan height of = 28”-33”

Spacing for stools – There is an ideal sweet spot for spacing for stools and that is when planning out your island I always like to leave anywhere from 24-30” per stool. So, this means if you have an island that is 96” long, this will ideally fit 4 stools leaving 24” of space per stool.

Sometimes our projects we don’t quite have the 24” and it’s okay to leave a little less for each stool, just be mindful that you must buy a smaller width stool to fit the space better so things aren’t bumping/rubbing on one another. Also be mindful that the spacing will be a bit cozier, so if you don’t like to be that close to your family or friends you might want to consider seating less people OR adjusting your island seating layout.

Weight rating – This is self explanatory. If you purchase stools that have a weight rating of 90 pounds... they probably aren’t the best fit for full grown adults as most people are over 90 pounds. With that being said, take this into account if you’re shopping so there are no embarrassing (but comical) moments of stool breaking from too much weight or make sure you have your camera ready to create a viral video!

Seat Materials – This pertains to what the stool is made from. If you’re looking at upholstery, I like to recommend a wipeable surface that’s easy to clean because sometimes spills happen… especially in a kitchen. Wipeable surfaces include, vegan leather, real leather, polyethylene tetralin (a type of flexible plastic), metal, wood etc...

Pro Tip: If you’re looking at something made of fabric, consider scotch guarding it to further protect it from staining.

I also like to note that if you’re looking at light materials like a creamy coloured vegan leather, be mindful that dark fabrics like the jeans you wear can dye transfer onto the stools. This is something that can happen over time and can’t really be controlled other than avoiding the light-coloured materials or just not wearing dark denim when sitting on the stools.

Base Materials – Materials for the bases are commonly made of wood or metal. Depending on the style o the kitchen, some materials look better in a space than others. I always look at things from a wear and tear perspective. If you purchase a dark wood base stool, over time with moving the stool around and sitting in them, you can ding the finish and then they look imperfect over time. So, what I usually recommend is looking into a touch-up kit to keep the stools looking pristine over time or selecting something that won’t wear terribly. I like a medium tone wood base or a matte black metal base. Both styles look great in majority of kitchens AND they are pretty common to find in stores.

Last thing I want to add here about the base materials is; Consider your floors. Felt pads on the bottom of stools is a MUST as it will protect the floor over time of sliding stools in and out. There would be nothing worse than gouging out your hardwood with a metal stool base after moving back into your new kitchen for about a week.

Clean-ability – Stools need to be cleaned regularly with daily use. Make sure you are using the appropriate cleaners on your stools. Most brands have recommended cleaning instructions for their stools, so before you purchase anything investigate that. I’ve heard many horror stories about bleach being used on leather and destroying the finish with time.

One other thing I like to recommend is think of your daily cleaning practices. Do you want stools that are easy to wipe clean daily, especially if you have young kiddos? Make sure there are no “crumb cracks” or unreachable seams – filth can really build up over time in these areas and they can be impossible to clean so be mindful about that as well.

Price Point – Probably one of the biggest concerns for most people who must purchase stools. When planning your kitchen, always consider this in your overall budget because stools really do add up.

Price points for a decent stool usually start at about $150.00 and then go up from there. Quality and longevity vary obviously by price point (you get what you pay for) but if you are looking for a solution to spend a little less on your stools. Consider stools that are backless, don’t have swivel, and/or are made of lesser materials.

Any-who, if you ever have stool questions you can send me a message and I will give you my best advice. Stools really are typically used daily so you want to make sure you make the best decision possible before buying any… and that means you should use my guidelines because I don’t just write these blogs for nothing right?

Cheers my friends and happy shopping!

Markie.