Oak Bar Stools

In the past, as the name suggests, oak bar stools were found in bars. Over time, they have gained so much popularity as a furniture piece that they have become part of the home décor. Bar stools are no longer just used by those that go to a bar. They can be appreciated by other people too.

So for what settings in a home is an oak bar stool suitable? There are times when you do not wish to eat at the dining table. For example, if you’re in a rush during the morning and just want to have a bowl of cereal for breakfast, you might prefer to sit at the kitchen counter. Since a typical kitchen counter is higher than a dining table, an ordinary chair wouldn’t be suitable. Bar stools however would be just right for this purpose.

Another example is if you want to dial down on the formality when having dinner. When you invite a few friends over to your home for a casual barbecue session outdoors in the backyard patio, then oak bar stools would be able to exude this informal atmosphere.

There are a number of different types of solid oak bar stools so I want to point out a few key things when you are considering on purchasing one or purchasing a set.

It is understandable that you would want to find cheap oak bar stools especially given the current dire economic climate. However, simply making your choice based on the price may result in you paying another kind of price later on.

Quite often, a substantially lower price might suggest the manufacturer has compromised on quality. It is important to check the item thoroughly when you are doing your research. The bar stool should be durable since you or someone else would be sitting on it. It goes without saying, having a seat collapse underneath you is obviously dangerous.

Something else that might be foregone for a cheaper product is the warranty. Be clear on what the warranty covers, how long is the cover and whether there are any exceptional rules.

Originally, as discussed earlier, bar stools were designed for use in actual bars so the seats are approximately 30 inches in height. Oak bar stools for home use do still come in that height, but other heights are available as well. The other common choice is 24 inches. There are also bar stools with other heights between 24 and 30 inches.

The choice here will depend on a couple of things. Firstly, consider who will be sitting on the stool. If they are going to be children or if they have difficulties with their mobility then a shorter stool would be more practical. A second aspect to think about is where the stool will be used. If you intend to sit at the kitchen countertop or kitchen island, which can be quite high, then the taller stool is better.

You can find oak bar stools that allow you to swivel whilst seated or not. This is primarily a personal taste. For me, I find this feature practical. If I’m sitting on a seat during a casual social setting, I want to be able to easily turn towards different people whenever I change conversation partners. I think it adds a level of convenience.

There are oak bars stools which have backs and others which are backless. The former type does have the significant advantage that you can lean against something making the sitting experience more comfortable and hence you can sit for longer periods. However, oak backless bar stools take up less space. If you are using them in a confined area or when you want to store them away, you don’t have the additional backing to accommodate for.

This is important as it determines how comfortable the stool will be. In some cases, you would sit directly on the wooden surface of the stool such as the oak saddle bar stools. If sitting on hardwood is too uncomfortable then you can request the manufacturer to stitch some sort of cushion (e.g. leather, fabric) on it (depending on the manufacturer and their product) or just get a padded bar stool instead.

This is of course another important factor when making your decision. Ideally you would want the bar stools to blend together with the rest of your home décor. There is also an element of personal preference.

A hardwood like oak looks fantastic already, which is why it is so often used in the manufacturing of all kinds of furniture, not just bar stools. Hence, if you are satisfied with the natural appearance of oak, then you can simply get unfinished oak bar stools. Also, they are a suitable choice if you wish to add your own finish.