Stools are among the earliest forms of furniture known to man and have been used in one form or another since ancient times. Over the centuries, they have evolved into handy seating options that can be placed in a diverse range of areas throughout modern households. Thanks to the inventiveness and unique design perspectives of furniture designers, modern stools have been designed to cater to specific areas of the house. This brings us to the kitchen stool, which is one of the more innovative modern seating options and has become an integral part of many modern kitchens all over the world.
These stools, as the name suggests, are designed specifically under kitchen counters and act as extra seating options for the space. Kitchen stools, often called counter stools, offer people a seating option at a kitchen island so that they can prepare their meals comfortably, or enjoy a meal at the counter. They also offer an extra seating option when hosting casual dinners or just having guests nearby while working in the kitchen, but can be put to other uses as you see fit. These stools offer a unique combination of style, functionality and comfort for all interiors. In this feature, we will provide you with specialised advice so that you can bring home your perfect set of kitchen stools.
At first sight, there may not be any discernible differences between bar stools and counter stools, however, there are certain fundamental ways in which they differ. The most basic difference between the two is the height. Bar stools are manufactured to offer comfortable seating at bars or high tables, which is why they need to be of a certain height, as opposed to counter stools.
Counter stools are meant for kitchen islands, which generally are significantly shorter in height than regular bars. Bar stools generally have a height of 105 cm on average, while the height of the typical counter stools ranges between 60 cm and 65 cm.
While this is not a hard and fast rule, bar stools generally have footrests and that is primarily due to their greater height. For people who aren’t tall enough to reach the ground, foot rests allow for comfortable seating, even over longer periods of time. Footrests are generally not necessary for counter stools. Counter stools are far more suitable as a casual seating option in modern kitchens and dining spaces.
On the other hand, bar stools, with their greater height are meant for areas like the home bar or other spaces where you may want to utilise higher counters from a seating position. As far as the kitchen is concerned, counter stools are the most suitable option.
The first step to bringing home your perfect kitchen stool is to work out the right height. It doesn’t matter how nice the stool may look or how high-end the materials may be; if it is not of the right height it wouldn’t be a comfortable seating option. The stools will primarily be used on the kitchen island or the dining table. There’s an easy rule of thumb that our experts recommend when it comes to height. They recommend that the distance between the seat of the stool and the underside of the dining table or the countertop should be between 60 cm and 90 cm. You can then scale it up to whatever the height of your preferred surface may be.
Dining tables and countertops are generally of similar heights, however, countertops are generally taller. Hence, you ought to choose two separate sets dependent on the surface you intend to use. However, the silver bullet in this situation would be to opt for counter stools with adjustable heights. FCI has helped our clients choose the ideal kitchen stools for many decades and our experts have an exemplary track record of providing crucial guidance through the process. The guidance we offer is more than just cataloguing and providing technical information, it’s understanding your personal tastes, and explaining how to incorporate them into your design ethos. These are the reasons we recommend a consultation with a design team. Here are some parameters that can help narrow down your choices before meeting with a designer.
The next key consideration is to choose the number of kitchen stools you want in your set. The right number will not only have a significant effect on the aesthetics of the area but also on functionality and comfort. A tastefully arranged set of kitchen stools at an island or serving counter will raise the stakes in terms of aesthetics significantly and offer the space a casual, chic look. The number of stools you choose is going to depend on the space you choose to spare.
As ever, our interior designer experts recommend following certain rules of thumb which can then be scaled to your specific space. There should be spacing of between 16 cm and 31 cm between a pair of adjacent stools. Such a gap will offer ample elbow room to sit comfortably and promote ease of movement. Once you decide on the appropriate spacing, it will be easy for you to determine the number of stools you want for your space. The spacing will not only offer greater comfort but also ensure that the kitchen doesn’t appear congested.
Depending on the size of your space, you can adjust your desired spacing accordingly to get the number of stools you want in your set. For instance, a spacing of 20 cm may be enough to have a set of 4, however, if you want 6 chairs you can adjust the spacing and reduce it. The width of the individual stools will also be a factor in the number of stools you want. Our designers will consider all these factors so that you can decide on just the right number for your culinary space.
Each piece of furniture in your residence ought to be a reflection of both the style of that space and the wider design vision of your home, and it’s no different for the kitchen stools. Let’s first look into some of the major styles and popular materials to consider.
One of the more dominant styles currently is minimalism, which is characterised by sleek designs, clean lines and a larger focus on functionality. We recommend using high-end wood like teak and oak, or metals. Metals that can be used to create a minimalist aesthetic include aluminium and stainless steel, both of which are durable and relatively light weight. These designs are generally made with an emphasis on defined borders and maintaining a sense of space.
FCI has a wide range of stools in every style from leading European brands, as well as show spaces decorated in every style to help you envision how pieces of furniture can be amalgamated tastefully.
Over the past decades, the evolution in furniture design has been nothing short of spectacular and our design team has witnessed it first hand.
As kitchens have evolved so has the accompanying furniture. The best designs ought to combine your aesthetic preferences and functional needs. For instance, the minimalist appeal of backless kitchen stools has been one of the enduring trends in recent years.
It is easy to see why, since it offers comfort, functionality and creates a sense of informal comfort. These stools are also easy to accommodate in the space below your counter. However, those who want a more supportive set of stools can also choose the ones which offer a backrest and in some cases, arms as well.
In addition to the modern and classic designs, fusion is also a design worth considering for modern kitchens.
For instance, a leather stool with visible metal frames could be a stunning choice in a modern minimalist kitchen. Design is always evolving and we continue to bring in the latest design offerings from our partners each season.
As a consequence, you will consistently get the best designs and recommendations at FCI London and our experts will guide you throughout so that you can make the right choice.
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 and traditional kitchen 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.
Book your appointment today!
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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