Selecting a barstool for your home bar.

When setting up a bar in your home, you will inevitably realize there are many options available when it comes time to buy the barstools. Stool materials primarily consist of wood, metal, plastic (resin) or a combination of these. Also you will need to decide on seats that are padded or not, and if you choose padded seats then you will have the options for upholstery made of fabric, man-made material, or leather. The last major decision to make will be whether the chairs swivel or not.

But before you can select a chair, you should determine how many you will need for your space as this can affect your choice of stool style. A general rule of thumb is to allow 2 feet for every bar stool. So if you bar is 8 feet long, you can comfortably accommodate 4 barstools with enough space for everyone to have elbow room and easily get in and out. If you want to squeeze in one more seat, then this is when you should consider swivel stools. The swivel motion will mean less space is needed for getting in and out. But be careful when selecting barstools with large armrests as these will eat into the extra space saved using swivel chairs. In tight spaces, consider a swivel chair with no arm rests.

The primary material of your bar stool selection will depend heavily on budget and style. But just because you have a wooden bar does not mean you should limit yourself to looking at wooden barstools. The look of wood and metal together is often better than all wood, which can give your bar a brown tone overload. Especially attractive are the combination wood and metal stools that have a very sleek and clean looking metal frame, with a luxurious wooden seat. For a more retro look all metal barstools with no armrests offer a quick place to sit without feeling like you are reclining. Also, do not assume metal barstools will give you longer life and cheaper duty cycle, many hardwoods will far outlast metal counterparts since they are not susceptible to tarnish or rust.

Finally, you will need to select padding and upholstery options. While padded seats offer advantages in comfort, they are prone to wear and tear that a wooden seat is not. For lifetime investment, wooden seats will last the longest with the least likelihood of wearing out. They are naturally stain resistant and easy to clean. If you do opt for a padded seat, seriously consider leather. While the initial cost of leather is higher, it will last far longer and look better for years compared to man-made or cloth materials.