When shopping for a bar stool, things like price, availability, and style affect your overall decision. What about comfort?
From sipping morning coffee to entertaining guests, comfort should be a must!
Here are 10 traits to look for in a comfortable bar stool:
Trait #1: Stools With Backs
Stools with backs are usually your most comfortable because they give support on the back if you’re spending a lot of time on them.
If you’re socializing for an hour or more at the bar or counter, a stool with a back will be much more comfortable. However, if it’s simply a place to sit to have a cup of coffee or just to sit for a short time, backless stools work fine.
Macias
Biscaro
Brixton
Trait #2: Padded Seats
Padded seats — as opposed to wood seats — are an excellent choice for comfort and are softer to sit on, but even wood seats can be upgraded to better comfort with tie-on seat pads, which can be removed for washing.
Raleigh
Creation Collection
Ronny
Trait #3: Deep Seats
Deep seats are wider from front to back and are ideal for taller people because they support the legs better without cutting into the thigh as a shallower seat would.
Portland
660
Zara
Trait #4: Shallow Seats
Shallow seats, which are shorter from front to back, are good for people who are shorter because the legs tend to be shorter and are supported better.
If the seats are too deep, a person can not touch the footrest with their feet. Legs that are dangling put more pressure on the thigh, taking away from comfort.
Woodland
Costa
Chateau
Trait #5: Wide Stools
Wide stools with deep seats are very comfortable for tall or larger people, but we find that they are comfortable to most and give a roomier and relaxed feeling if you have the room because they tend to be larger than most stools.
Stools with padded backs are a nice touch, which can be more comfortable as opposed to a metal back.
Some people don’t like the feeling of cold steel on the back, but we found that most of the time it’s not an issue because the comfort of the stool makes up for that.
However, plush upholstered backs and seats are sometimes the choice in a particular style and design which evoke a softer feel.
Arthur 1
Umbria
Classic
Trait #9: Backless Bar Stools
Backless stools are more comfortable when they have padded seats.
The seat shouldn’t be too small, and it should be able to accommodate the buttocks without feeling like you’re falling off.
Saddle stools are wide, but narrow, and are very comfortable. They are also great for tucking under an island. Saddle stools have indented seats like a saddle, but do not swivel. However, a larger round backless stool gives you more surface area than a saddle stool.
Stools with arms make the stool more comfortable and give a place for the arms to rest. You can sit back and relax when entertaining with friends or family.
Arms do make the stool wider and are only recommended if you have the room, so please measure your area to be sure they’ll fit.
Stools without arms can be comfortable too when resting your arms on the counter.