Whether it be at a desk, breakfast bar or dining table the bar stool is a fun and flexible piece of furniture. In recent years, bar stools have become a regular fixture in modern homes as more people look to install kitchen islands, breakfast bars and peninsulas that require casual seating. But it is important to note that the bar stool isn’t a modern creation – in fact it dates back to as early as the 17th century in the form we know now. And if we head back even further in time, we can see that folding stools with a fabric or skin seat and framed stools with wood were even utilised by the Greeks, Romans and Vikings.
Let’s investigate . . .
Stool beginnings
Throughout Roman times, children and servants would typically be the ones to sit on a stool. For centuries and perhaps millennia the extravagance and positioning of a chair has been a key indication of status (think thrones, seats at the head of a table, etc) and so a rudimentary stool was seen as the seating option for those who were worthy of a place at a table but not quite warranting a more ornate chair.
However, in some cultures the stool itself is held in higher regard. In Africa, royalty once sat on stools while those around them were seated much lower to the ground or on the floor. One of the more famous examples of this would be the Golden Stool of the Ashante, based in Ghana.
This idea of social status being shown through chairs continued up until approximately the 1800s, when the Industrial Revolution started, the market adjusted and more people got access to chairs and mass production made it feasible for the home to be filled with a range of seating options.
Although, the practical purpose of a bar stool has never been questioned and they have been a common fixture in the earliest restaurants, pubs and bars, stools were about function over fashion for a long time. Traditionally, bar stools were made of wood and were seats without a back-rest. As times have moved on, however, and technology has advanced the variety of stools available on the market has dramatically increased. Stools really took off between the 1950s and 1960s and were found in almost every restaurant and bar. This was when the stool started really changing shape, size and style. Over time the fashion within eating establishments filtered down into the domestic setting and this range of bar stools began to find a home in the kitchen or living room.
Today, stools are available to buy in a whole range of materials – from wood to metal to plastic and everything in between. Seat coverings can be made out of any material including leather and velvet, depending on the level of luxury and opulence one is trying to achieve. Often bar stools now have the ability to adjust height meaning that they not only suit people of different sizes but can also be moved to different settings when required.
There are so many different styles of stool you can choose from when designing your home, they are now a good staple to have in any home that gives good versatility. Below we’ve highlighted some of the many types of bar stools perfect for home use.
Swivel stools
Like an office chair, providing seating that not only shifts height but also enables 360-degree rotation can add to the social aspect of bar stools. This makes them ideal to use in an open-plan kitchen–dining–living room where members of the family or guests may be scattered in different directions.
One word of caution: always check the quality of the mechanism before purchasing a swivel chair. It should flow smoothly and without any resistance.
Salon stools
These wheeled stools are obviously not designed for a restaurant or bar environment. Instead they were originally designed as a practical solution for those needing to glide between spaces in a room. It is for this reason that salon stools fitted with wheels make the perfect option in beauty salons, massage and tattoo parlours and so much more.
Adjustable and counter stools
The adjustable bar stool is perfect for those who may have a breakfast bar at an unusual height or wish to use their stools in multiple locations at different times and at tables of differing heights. Interestingly, adjustable stools are more often found in domestic settings than in commercial spaces, where the constant wear and tear of the levers being used may cause a swift deterioration in quality.
Backrest bar stools
This type of stool is becoming more popular, offering an added level of comfort to those who want the benefits of a bar stool without the drawbacks. There are two main types of back rests in bar stools. The first being stools with a large backrest support mainly used for comfort purposes. Depending on the style of high-backed stool, it may also feature armrests. The drawback is that the backrest means that the stool itself takes up more space and can be more cumbersome.
To combat this problem, small “lip back rest” stools can also be found on the market, offering greater stability than a backless bar stool, but still being relatively compact.
Low stools
Low stools can be handy seating options as they take up considerably less room than their taller cousins. Whether you choose options that are stackable in a corner of the room or even low enough to slide under your coffee table, low stools can be great for those who have kids or even those looking for a foot stool to rest their legs or morning paper on.
If vintage is your thing, a classic dairy stool is not only a functional feature but also a terrific conversation starter in a rustic or shabby chic environment.
Wooden bar stools
Traditional wooden stools have been around for many generations and they still possess the same charm as they always have. While there are many new variations on the market today available from furniture shops, it is well worth considering vintage stools if you are planning a redesign in the home. At online marketplaces like Vinterior it is possible to find wooden stools for all types of looks and styles – be it a rustic farmhouse kitchen or something altogether more grand and opulent.
For those looking to bring a real sense of character to their kitchen island or perhaps a dedicated bar area in their living room, a solid dark wood stool can be a great option. Wooden bar stools made by genuine craftsmen also promise to be sturdy and durable, giving the confidence that they will continue to stand the test of time.
Stools for any style
Should you be looking for something more quirky and alternative in design, look no further than the stools of the 60s and 70s for a statement piece. A Les Arcs bar stool is a popular option for many homeowners, as is the Swedish retro bar stool, which resembles an ice cream cone on a stand.
Leather bar stools are now more commonly used in the home as they are very comfortable and add an element of sophistication to any space. Their appearance being elegant and neat, this type of seating goes perfectly with modern décor and there are many colour and design options to go for with this type.
So, there you have it. There’s more to the humble bar stool than you might have thought.
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