How to Shop for Bar Stools: Selecting the Right Height Stools for Your Home

Written by
Krissy Abrams
Published on
May 11, 2023 3:42:59 PM PDT May 11, 2023 3:42:59 PM PDTth, May 11, 2023 3:42:59 PM PDT

Design House recently teamed up with DIY-Pro Krissy Abram (@homewithkrissy) to help explain everything you need to know when shopping for stools. Read on for some expert advice from Krissy on selecting the right height stool for your living space!

You might want to sit down for this--


Upholstered seating is trending right now. As open floor plans remain popular, incorporating upholstered seating enables versatile and bold design choices. This kind of seating is not only comfortable, but can flow with the hardware of the kitchen, your living room, and blend with the rest of the house, serving as a powerful statement piece. 


But what’s the difference between counter and bar stools and how do you know which stool is right for your space? The shopping experience should be fun and confusion-free.



Here are my tips about stools to consider:

- Counters are between 36 and 39 inches high, so a seat height between 24 to 26 inches is ideal

- Bars are between 40 and 43 inches high, so a seat height between 29 and 31 inches works best

- There should be about 9 inches between the bottom of the surface and top of the seat


The key to stools is to measure your surface height. Counter stools are usually between 36 and 39 inches while bar stools are between 40 to 43 inches.


When selecting a stool, I recommend aiming for 9" between the bottom of the surface and top of your seat. I know this might seem like it’s a big gap, but bar height stools will not give enough space to sit comfortably at counter height, as you can see below.

For more information about selecting the right height or to see how I incorporated Design House barrel back counter stools into my home, watch my reel on instagram!


Selecting the correct stool height is a design element anyone can utilize to enhance their living space. In addition to offering a variety of counter and bar stools, Design House is a resource when it comes to shopping for stools so be sure to check out their stool height guide. Whether you need dining height, counter height, or bar height, the right upholstered seating option can elevate your living space and add unique visual interest to your home.




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