The Subtly of Bar Stools

Via Home DSGN

It was not until I started looking for bar stools of my own that I had noticed that bar stool are not typically used to make a statement, but rather to blend in to allow the kitchen as a whole to be the star of the show. Originally, I wanted my stools to be unique or to have pattern or pops of color, but upon further study, I realized that would have been distracting and even more so, given its location in my apartment.

Bar stools come in at least two different heights: bar height and counter heights. I’m finding that counter bar stools are becoming more of a standard as it’s nice and convenient in a kitchen to keep the counters all the same height. Although these measurements vary, depending on who you turn to as a source, typically counter bar stools measures 24″ to 27″ from the floor to the seat and bar height stools are 28″ to 33″. Here’s more details from Wayfair’s post.

Via BHG

Notice how these bar stools don’t particularly jump out at you? It’s a perfect fit for this kitchen as the white blends in with the counter tops, backsplash, and molding while the seat itself adds texture along with that tray sitting on top of the island. These bar stools have blended and become part of the kitchen as a whole

Via Apartment Therapy

Same thing here. The black stools with its chrome legs have blended in and are as one with the kitchen. It picks up the black accents  and the chrome(nickel?) hardwares of the kitchen. Although its texture is a little solid and comes off cold, its curviness adds soft edges to the sharp corners.

Via Elle Decor

I love how the bar stools pick up on the open wooden shelves and the trims of this fabulously huge windows (jealous!).

Via BHG

Although different in color, it follows suit from the ceiling and the floor as well as the island, adding an even more cozy feel with an industrial twist to this country kitchen.

Via House of Turquoise

Did you guys even notice the bar stools here? I almost didn’t. That’s the beauty of acrylic furniture. They visually take up practically no space and are particularly fantastic for small spaces or when you don’t want it to be a focal point.

Via Architectural Digest

The bar stools are a slightly different shade than the rest of the kitchen, but to me, they still blend. It’s all still blue.

Via Enchanted Home

This kitchen might be a different style than all the other pictures I’ve got here as examples, but it shows that bar stools being one (I know- it sounds so zen) with the kitchen spans across all styles from contemporary to traditional. So, it’s not particularly a rule to break with any style, but that’s not to say you can’t make a bar stool stand out. That’s more likely to happen in a contemporary home as oppose to a traditional home. Or transitional, for a traditional home with a fresh twist.

Photo by Jean Allsopp Photography – More traditional kitchen photos

Love the nailhead trim on the bar stools. It kept the stools from disappearing too much with the island. Sometimes you don’t want your seat to visually disappear like the acrylic stools. Like always, it all comes to personal preference and what you’re trying to achieve with the room

What are your thoughts on bar stools in the kitchen? Should they be a part of the kitchen or should they stand out?