Backless bar stools are a handy additional to most seating areas. They are light weight and take up much less space than bar stools with backs. There are bar stools without backs that can fit into any type of decorating scheme. Generally they are into bar height or counter top height (24 inch bar stools) but they can also be found in children's sizes.
The history of bar stools is self evident from the name. These were the seats that allowed men to belly up to the bar. The Public Houses of Great Britain and Ireland had three types of seating arrangements. The first were cozy booths located around the perimeter. The second were table and chairs located in the centre area of the room. These first two types of seating arrangements were for groups and couples. If you were in the presence of a woman you would either sit in a booth or at a table. If you were with a group of 3 or more you would also sit at a booth or a table.
However, lots of men would come to the pub on their own. Perhaps they were traveling through the village or from a neighboring village. Others would venture to the pubs on their own knowing that they would surely meet friends and neighbors once they got there. These solo pub goers would tend to sit or stand at the bar in order to chat with the bartender. Bar stools were created for the men who went to the bars on their own.
Historically all bar stools had backs. These stools tended to be more comfortable than bar stools without backs. Backed bar stools also tended to provide increased stability to the potentially tipsy customer. The seat of these bar stool was identical to the seat on a normal bar chair. These seats were generally a wee bit smaller than 2 feet by 2 feet. The backs were approximately 14 inches high and were in a semi circular shape. The back of the bar stool tended to flare out at the top. These stools took up a fair bit of lateral space at the bar. Each bar stool needed 3.5 linear feet at the bar to be comfortable and to allow room to get on and off the stools.
Bar stools without backs tend to be much smaller and require less space at the bar. A good rule of thumb is that you can generally fit 4 backless bar stool comfortably in the same space that you could fit 3 bar stools with backs. The use of these stools allows for more seating in a small space. Backless bar stools are a great idea for small bars such as residential bars or kitchen counter bars. Seat only bar stools allow the stool to be tucked away under the bar when not in use.
Backless bar stools often tend to have smaller seats. The most common bar stool seat is a circular seat. The backless circular seat bar stool comes in two different varieties: static height or variable height bar stool. The static height bar stool can either be fixed or have a swivel seat. The static height bar stools are most commonly found in commercial establishments. Whereas the adjustable height bar stools are generally found in residential settings.
Another variation amongst backless bar stools is the height of the bar stool. As previously mentioned adult sized bar stools come in two different heights. The original height is a 30 inch bar stool. Up until 20 years ago all bar stools were a uniform height. In the early 1980s, a shorter 24 inch bar stool became more and more popular for residential use. This shorter type of stool became very popular as kitchen renovations started to included islands and eating counters. There are 24 inch backless barstools and 24 inch barstools with backs.
Including an eating counter into your kitchen renovation is a great idea. In the late 1960s and 1970s, kitchens made a transformation from mostly utilitarian or functional areas into family areas or generally living areas. This transformation was, of course, due to the changing perceptions about what is considered "woman's work". As it became more common for women to take jobs outside of the house, the household labor, including cooking and food preparation became more of a general family chore. As more members of the family worked together in the kitchen, the kitchen became more of a social area. Even members of the family that were not involved in kitchen prep were in the kitchen to chat with family members that were involved. Children began to set the table and clear the dishes and become involved in kitchen chores. As the family spent more time in the kitchen, the idea of what the kitchen should look like changed.
Kitchens began to incorporate different seating options. The kitchen bar or breakfast bar was part of that evolution. The kitchen bar is generally higher than normal counter height but lower than standard bar height. The 24 inch bar stool services the breakfast bar perfectly.
When choosing a bar stool for your home or business you must first choose the height of the stool. The height of the stool will depend upon your needs. Most of the shorter stools are found in residential settings. Nest you must choose between a backless bar stool or a bar stool that has a back. The next choice is whether the seat will swivel. Swivel bar stool or definitely the most convenient stool. They allow people to get on and off the stool without moving the legs of the stool. Swivel seat bar stools help prevent wear and tear on your floor beneath the stool. The last thing to decide is whether you would like the seat height to be adjustable. Since most bar heights are standard having an adjustable seat height bar stool is an unnecessary luxury. Adjustable seat bar stools are good for sitting at a drafting table or for artists work.
Another thing to consider when choosing a backless bar stool is what type of material is used in te construction. There are upholstered bar stools and hard seated bar stools. Both types have pros and cons. Of course, upholstered seat make the bar stools much more comfortable. However, hard seated stools are easier to clean. In commercial settings to is common to find leather bar stools. These stools provide the comfort of upholstery but the cleaning ease of a hard seated stool. Most of these stools have backs but there are some backless leather bar stools.
As you can see there is an enormous variety of different types of bar stools to choose from. Bar stools without backs are handy for using in small spaces such as kitchen bars. Backless bar stools can be used in conjunction with regular bar stools to make efficient use of space and to provide different seating options for your guests.
Showing posts with label 24" bar stools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 24" bar stools. Show all posts
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Bar Stool Trivia/ Exotic Bar Stools
Did Aristotle Onassis have bar stools with whale foreskin seat covers? Is this true or is it an urban myth? Can people with enough money order any type of customized bar stool? Do whale foreskin bar stools even exist? One would hope that such a bar stool is a myth.
Do the rich and famous insist on having exotic customized bar stools. Are there bar stools made with exotic animal hides? Finding this type of information is very difficult and urban myths abound. Does using leopard skin or alligator skin as a bar stool seat cover say something about the bar stool owner? I think that is safe to say that these custom bar stools would only appeal to a select group of people.
Please feel free to post any questions of comments on exotic bar stool covers. We will try to separate the truth from the fiction when it comes to exotic bar stools and we will add to the post as we gather further information. We may even be able to tell you what kind of bar stools Aristotle Onassis owned.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Leather Bar Stools
Nothing adds a splash of class quite like leather bar stools. Leather stools exude elegance. confidence, great taste and wealth. Historically leather chairs of all sorts were confined to the private mens clubs frequented by lawyers and politicians and powerful business men. Thankfully for the rest of us times have changed.
Today leather bar stools are becoming more common and are certainly becoming more affordable. In certain instances leather just makes sense. Not only are these bar stools comfortable but most spills can be taken care of with a damp cloth. Leather can also be very durable which adds to the lifespan of your bar stool. There are definitely cheaper leather bar stool made with second quality or inferior leather but bar stools made with first quality leather can last for years.
These bar stools can come in cushioned or non cushioned varieties. The cushioned stools are definitely more comfortable. You can find backless bar stools, bar stools with backs and bar stools with backs and arms.
There is also an amazing array of available colors. I have personally seen black, dark brown, tan, blue, and red stools. I'm sure that custom made bar stools can come in any color you desire. I have seen stools with the name of the bar branded into the back of the stool.
The stools are also available in either the standard 30 " or smaller 24" styles. The height that you chose will depend on the height of the table or the bar that is to be serviced by the bar stools. If the stools are for residential purposes and their are children in the home then perhaps a 24" stool would be the best choice.
Whether they be for residential or commercial purposes good quality leather bar stools are never a bad choice. These stools are easy to clean and can last for decades.
Today leather bar stools are becoming more common and are certainly becoming more affordable. In certain instances leather just makes sense. Not only are these bar stools comfortable but most spills can be taken care of with a damp cloth. Leather can also be very durable which adds to the lifespan of your bar stool. There are definitely cheaper leather bar stool made with second quality or inferior leather but bar stools made with first quality leather can last for years.
These bar stools can come in cushioned or non cushioned varieties. The cushioned stools are definitely more comfortable. You can find backless bar stools, bar stools with backs and bar stools with backs and arms.
There is also an amazing array of available colors. I have personally seen black, dark brown, tan, blue, and red stools. I'm sure that custom made bar stools can come in any color you desire. I have seen stools with the name of the bar branded into the back of the stool.
The stools are also available in either the standard 30 " or smaller 24" styles. The height that you chose will depend on the height of the table or the bar that is to be serviced by the bar stools. If the stools are for residential purposes and their are children in the home then perhaps a 24" stool would be the best choice.
Whether they be for residential or commercial purposes good quality leather bar stools are never a bad choice. These stools are easy to clean and can last for decades.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
24" Bar Stools
There is a pretty big demand for 24" bar stools these days. I don't believe I had ever seen such a bar stool until 5 or 6 years ago. When I first started buying bar stools for different commercial ventures in the late 80s I never came across such stools. Barstools were generally a standard height and were generally for one purpose which was for sitting at a bar to drink. More often than not, bar stools were most commonly found in bars and pubs. However, times have changed. Stools can be found in numerous residences and now comes in different heights. Now days 24" bar stools are everywhere.
Admittedly, most pubs and bars don't use a 24 inch bar stool very often and when they do they tend to order only a few for some bar that has to be lower because of a window or something like that. For most commercial purposes the bar stools remain at the old standard height. The biggest source of demand for these shorter bar stools has come from the residential sector, particularly families with children.
In the 60s, 70s and even into the 80s the residential use of bar stools was generally limited to rec rooms or possibly the edge of a very large living room. If in the rec room, they tended to be wooden stools with a dark stain and high sheen varnish. The idea was to replicate pub bar stools. If in the more formal area such a living room, they tended to be metal bar stools with a hard seat or sometimes metal bar stools with a cushion seat. These stools were invariably 30" barstools to suit a regular 42 inch bar. Perhaps most importantly, these stools were designed for use by adults.
In the mid-90s kitchen renovations were becoming a big deal. People were beginning to realize that the kitchen was an integral part of the family home. Kitchens were used for socializing and watching TV. The parent who generally was responsible for meal preparation didn't want to be cut off from the family. Even clean up after meals isn't so tedious when the rest of the family stays in the room to talk about their days or when the TV gets flipped on after the meal. As kitchens gained more status, kitchen design became more popular. Historically kitchen were about function. Today kitchens are still about function but they have to look good and have a certain style. Today is about granite counters, marble back splashes, and breakfast bars and breakfast bar stools. Modern kitchen include entertainment areas with music and TVs and home offices with computer desks and filing cabinets. Many kitchen have ares for sofas or lounge chairs. In short, the purpose of the kitchen has changed from an area for food preparation and consumption (although remember: food was consumed in the dining room in the pre-50s) to an area for family living.
As people became more interested in kitchen design they started creating new ways to use the kitchen. It soon became apparent that families rarely sat down for breakfast together as breakfast was generally done in shifts depending on the availability of the bathroom or shower and or the hours at which a family member had to be at work or school or volleyball practice. At some point it became obvious that a breakfast bar was the perfect place to accommodate shift eating. It also was a perfect place for a family member to sit and chat with someone preparing dinner or washing up after dinner.
People didn't want their children climbing on to backless bar stools that were bigger than them. In the interests of safety the stools needed to be shorter. It became clear that if the breakfast bar was the same height as the counter then when not in use the breakfast bar would become coveted extra counter space. So in combining the accessibility of table height chairs with the functionality of creating extra counter space the breakfast bar bar stool or the 24 inch bar stool became needed.
As with any stool, a number of factors (over and above bar stool height) must be considered. Will the stools be upholstered? Is is easy to wash the upholstery? Remember food and drink will invariably get spilled. How many stools can easily fit in the space. Most breakfast bars have 2 or 3 stools at a maximum. Will these stools need to swivel? Having a swivel seat bar stool saves the wear and tear on the floor under the stool. The money you save on replacing your carpet or refinishing your floor sometimes can make buying the more expensive swivel bar stools very attractive. Will the stool need a back? Stools with backs are clearly safer for children. Finally, do you want a wooden bar stool or a metal bar stool?
As with buying furniture for any part of your house the purchase of these stools should be carefully considered. They only way you are going to get the ones that truly suit your needs is by giving the entire issue a great deal of thought. Try to think about the purposes of these stools. Are they really for breakfast or are they for another purpose? Will the kid do their homework there? Will you read the paper there? Will it be a spot for your best friend to have a glass of wine while you prepare some cheese and crackers. Do you want to watch the game and have a beer and chips there? I could give another dozen of examples of potential activities to consider. When you think of the purposes you most want to achieve you will be able to choose the stool that is perfect for you and your family.
There are plenty of things to think about before buying. Remember not all 24" bar stools should be considered the same.
Admittedly, most pubs and bars don't use a 24 inch bar stool very often and when they do they tend to order only a few for some bar that has to be lower because of a window or something like that. For most commercial purposes the bar stools remain at the old standard height. The biggest source of demand for these shorter bar stools has come from the residential sector, particularly families with children.
In the 60s, 70s and even into the 80s the residential use of bar stools was generally limited to rec rooms or possibly the edge of a very large living room. If in the rec room, they tended to be wooden stools with a dark stain and high sheen varnish. The idea was to replicate pub bar stools. If in the more formal area such a living room, they tended to be metal bar stools with a hard seat or sometimes metal bar stools with a cushion seat. These stools were invariably 30" barstools to suit a regular 42 inch bar. Perhaps most importantly, these stools were designed for use by adults.
In the mid-90s kitchen renovations were becoming a big deal. People were beginning to realize that the kitchen was an integral part of the family home. Kitchens were used for socializing and watching TV. The parent who generally was responsible for meal preparation didn't want to be cut off from the family. Even clean up after meals isn't so tedious when the rest of the family stays in the room to talk about their days or when the TV gets flipped on after the meal. As kitchens gained more status, kitchen design became more popular. Historically kitchen were about function. Today kitchens are still about function but they have to look good and have a certain style. Today is about granite counters, marble back splashes, and breakfast bars and breakfast bar stools. Modern kitchen include entertainment areas with music and TVs and home offices with computer desks and filing cabinets. Many kitchen have ares for sofas or lounge chairs. In short, the purpose of the kitchen has changed from an area for food preparation and consumption (although remember: food was consumed in the dining room in the pre-50s) to an area for family living.
As people became more interested in kitchen design they started creating new ways to use the kitchen. It soon became apparent that families rarely sat down for breakfast together as breakfast was generally done in shifts depending on the availability of the bathroom or shower and or the hours at which a family member had to be at work or school or volleyball practice. At some point it became obvious that a breakfast bar was the perfect place to accommodate shift eating. It also was a perfect place for a family member to sit and chat with someone preparing dinner or washing up after dinner.
People didn't want their children climbing on to backless bar stools that were bigger than them. In the interests of safety the stools needed to be shorter. It became clear that if the breakfast bar was the same height as the counter then when not in use the breakfast bar would become coveted extra counter space. So in combining the accessibility of table height chairs with the functionality of creating extra counter space the breakfast bar bar stool or the 24 inch bar stool became needed.
As with any stool, a number of factors (over and above bar stool height) must be considered. Will the stools be upholstered? Is is easy to wash the upholstery? Remember food and drink will invariably get spilled. How many stools can easily fit in the space. Most breakfast bars have 2 or 3 stools at a maximum. Will these stools need to swivel? Having a swivel seat bar stool saves the wear and tear on the floor under the stool. The money you save on replacing your carpet or refinishing your floor sometimes can make buying the more expensive swivel bar stools very attractive. Will the stool need a back? Stools with backs are clearly safer for children. Finally, do you want a wooden bar stool or a metal bar stool?
As with buying furniture for any part of your house the purchase of these stools should be carefully considered. They only way you are going to get the ones that truly suit your needs is by giving the entire issue a great deal of thought. Try to think about the purposes of these stools. Are they really for breakfast or are they for another purpose? Will the kid do their homework there? Will you read the paper there? Will it be a spot for your best friend to have a glass of wine while you prepare some cheese and crackers. Do you want to watch the game and have a beer and chips there? I could give another dozen of examples of potential activities to consider. When you think of the purposes you most want to achieve you will be able to choose the stool that is perfect for you and your family.
There are plenty of things to think about before buying. Remember not all 24" bar stools should be considered the same.
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