The stool first emerged in Ancient Egypt and over thousands of years it has had a chequered journey through royal courts, medieval pubs in the United Kingdom and finally into private residences in the 20th century. The modern kitchen and some other spaces in your residence like the breakfast counter, bar corner and a window seating nook, can all be transformed with the placement of counter stools. Although it may look similar to regular luxury bar stools, the counter stools are shorter at the seat level and offer back as well as footrests. Over the years, it has become an elegant, sleek and sophisticated choice for private homes owing to the evolution of modern interiors.
The kitchen island or kitchen counter is one of the more popular placements so that one can work on food preparation while sitting on a comfortable stool. However, these stools are comfortable enough to be placed in many other areas of the house where you need a casual seating option at a lower height. Due to the rising demand for these stools, they are now available in a wide range of styles, makes and materials. Consequently, choosing the perfect ones may sometimes appear a bit overwhelming. However, this guide, prepared in consultation with our expert designers, will enable you to make the right choice every time.
Counter height stools offer a near-perfect amalgamation of style, functionality and class; all of which make them suitable for most luxury spaces. Leading furniture brands have come up with a range of designs and styles for counter stools with the specific aim of making them a natural choice for luxury residences.The frames of these stools are manufactured from high-end wood or metals like iron and steel, which offer the level of sophistication necessary for luxury spaces. Wood is durable and offers a stable structure for the ideal stools. The contemporary offering of chrome can be another option for luxurious metallic counter stools for brighter homes.
Additionally, the upscale upholstery options of these stools take the overall aesthetics to a new plane. A classic leather upholstered stool can add a classical luxurious charm to your kitchen, dining space or lounge. The stools would not appear out of place at any of the leading gentlemen’s clubs on Pall Mall. Lastly, in addition to appearance, luxury is also characterised by ease of usage and counter stools score well on that front too.
The process of purchasing counter stools for luxury residences may not be particularly straightforward and we can attest to that owing to our long track record as the leading furniture house in London. Our experts have come up with some tried and tested hacks that will almost certainly enable you to discover and eventually purchase the perfect stools.
This is widely recognised as the crucial first step to discovering your ideal counter stool. Generally, the height of a countertop is 91 cm but it can go up to 106 cm and your counter will likely be in that height range. However, there should not be any guessing game involved here. It’s best to get the exact measurements from the floor to the top of the counter. Additionally, ensure that there’s 23 cm to 30 cm space between the bottom of the countertop and the top of the stool. That will offer plenty of legroom and also enable the stools to slide in easily.
Wood is a classical and traditional material, which has been the preferred choice for ages. It is also intimately associated with luxury interiors, which is another point in its favour. However, if you want to add a dash of industrial chic to your living or culinary space; metallic counter stools are excellent options. Metallic materials like wrought iron, chrome or stainless steel will offer a sleek and sophisticated look to lend the desired look to your space. A more casual and relaxed look could be created if you opt for wicker or rattan stools. However, these materials may not be as durable and resilient as wood and metals.
You are going to need more than a solitary stool if you place it at your counter, breakfast bar or casual dining space. Ensure that you place your stools along the counter or bar in a way that makes seating comfortable and the arrangement pleasing to the eye by following a simple formula. Length of your counter/width of your stool+15.2 cm = number of stools. (15 cm is approximately 6 inches.) The extra 15 cm is to allow greater room in between the stools and make the arrangement not only more comfortable but also more visually appealing.
Over the past decades, the humble counter stool has greatly evolved in design styles and choosing the right style is a critical part of the buying process. Backless counter stools, stools with arms and swivel stools are some of the more popular variants. The backless ones are highly comfortable and can be easily slid under the counter. If you envisage spending significant time sitting on your counter stools then the ones with armrests could be the right way to go. Swivel stools add a touch of pub ambience to your living spaces and it could be worth selecting if you are specifically looking for that aesthetic.
While it is expected to choose counter stools of the right height for different spaces, the gift of modern carpentry has made it possible to opt for stools which enable height adjustment. This is an option that you should consider.
For instance, your significantly taller visitors may have a better time if they could adjust the height of their seat and get to a comfortable height. One of the more important aspects of luxury is personalisation and if you are looking to add that attribute to your counter stools consider opting for the adjustable ones.
The depth of the seats of your stools will determine the degree of your comfort and the main factor behind the choice is the average height of those who will use the stools. For instance, if you are taller than average then a seat with greater depth will be more comfortable for you. The ends of the stools would not hit the middle of their thigh in that case. Conversely, in the case of shorter people, stools with shallower seats will be more comfortable. The shallowness of the seats will enable their legs to reach the top of the footrest. Seats with greater depth will also allow you to place cushions.
You can choose metallic or wood counter stools with the kind of upholstery you prefer; however, ensure that the stools you choose are adequately padded. Ideally, both the seat and the backrest zone ought to be padded to deliver the highest comfort. It’s deeply unpleasant to sit on a stool which may start feeling hard and uncomfortable after a bit. That can happen with stools without padding or with inadequate padding. The same check should be conducted on the back of the chairs. The plush padding will also create aesthetically pleasing stools which would add to the luxury quotient of your living space.
While it cannot be claimed with any certainty if these tips are exhaustive or not, we are certain that if you keep these few tips in your checklist, you will be able to discover several counter stools suitable for your purposes. Our representatives will, of course, be more than happy to take you through the entire process at our luxury showroom.
FCI London has more than 40 years in the luxury furniture and interior design industry, and we pride ourselves on being a trusted name creator of luxury interiors in London, both large and small.
Our longstanding relationships with the best craftsmen and designer brands from all over Europe are at your disposal, and we offer first-class delivery and installation of any product you purchase through us, ensuring that your experience is stress free and convenient..
Visit our 30,000 sq. ft.showroom, the largest luxury showroom in London, to discover, explore and experience a wide range of contemporary counter stools, along with professional advice from a team of experienced and award-winning interior designers.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning, and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible.
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From getting your proportions right to nailing your style, our design team is at your disposal to help you find the perfect stools and bar stools. Take advantage of our free consultation service by visiting our award-winning showroom today.
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