 |
POOL TABLES
|
|
Barstools
|
|
Billiards Bar Stools
Got a billiards table? A full game room in your home? Well, then you need
some bar stools! No game of pool is complete without a few stools to
lounge on while your opponent runs the table on you.
There is actually a surprising range of cool billiards bar stools on the
market today. The standard stool is backless and has a cushioned vinyl,
leather, or fabric seat that swivels. It's meant to be simply a resting
place while you wait for your turn on the table. They vary in height, but
are often a bit taller than regular bar stools. This facilitates the
unique kind of "leaning/sitting" style many billiards players like to
employ during play.
If you're looking for bar stools that are fancier, many billiards stores
sell beautiful stools with very intricate designs and scrollwork on the
legs and seatbacks. These are often made of wood and have arms and leather
seats. They're costly, but can really make your game room complete!
Another popular style of billiards bar stools are those with themed seats.
The fabric might show images of pool balls, cues, tables, or related game
room accessories. These stools are particularly attractive if you have
similar themes in other furniture, the bar, or on the walls.
If you entertain larger groups in your billiards room, a good seating
solution is the bench style bar stool. These convenient chairs look like
regular bar stools, only stretched wider to accommodate two or three
adults. Some of the more ingenious designs even have a handy drink table
built in between or on both ends.
If you fancy bar stools with arms, look into the models that have built-in
cup holders. What a great idea! When playing in your game room, more often
than not you and your friends will be enjoying some adult beverages.
Having a convenient holder for a bottle, glass, or cup is a terrific idea.
More importantly for you as the homeowner, cup holders hold drinks more
securely, reducing the chances of accidents that might ruin your carpet or
the billiards table.
Furniture Bar Stool
A furniture bar stool differs from a standard bar stool in that it's made
to be used like a typical chair in the living room or at the kitchen
table. Some restaurants are also using them, especially more upscale
establishments. The growing popularity of furniture stools reflects the
overall trend toward more versatile uses for bar stools.
The construction of a furniture bar stool tends to be more involved than a
standard stool. In fact, it's easy to look at one and assume that it is a
chair and not a stool. In particular, the seat and seatback are solid and
thicker than other types of stools. While they can be used like other bar
stools, this chair-like construction makes them versatile enough for other
applications.
Furniture-style bar stools almost always have swivel seats and arms. They
always have seatbacks, and they are typically within the shorter range of
heights for bar stools (24-28 inches).
In terms of designs, there are a lot from which to choose! Just like other
furniture, a bar stool in this style is made with the many potential uses
in mind. Furniture manufacturers understand that their customers want a
stool in this mold that can be used in the living room, the game room,
kitchen, living room, or the dining table with equal ease. So, they design
them with this in mind.
You might consider adding a set of these bar stools so that they tie in
other elements of the rooms in your home. Neutral colors with natural wood
legs and arms are a good universal design to go with virtually any décor.
For game rooms, consider black leather or faux leather with chrome legs
and seat frames.
If you plan to use a furniture bar stool set in a commercial setting, get
a rugged design that will stand up to lots of physical abuse. You can
count on the stools getting scuffed and otherwise damaged. Anticipating
it, you should look for materials that can withstand repeated use and
rough handling.
Uses for a 24 Inch Bar Stool
Shorter bar stools, like the 24 inch style, are often a good all-around
choice. There are many uses for stools of this height, beyond typical
commercial use. Their short stature makes them ideal for kids to use in
their rooms to do homework or draw, for example. They can be used in the
kitchen as a convenient place to sit as you do time-consuming food
preparation. A 24 inch bar stool can even come in handy for various tasks
in your garage or basement workshop.
Kids sometimes find it awkward and even painful to use adult-size stools
or chairs while doing homework, using their computers, or just drawing and
playing. Seating of any kind is usually designed with particular uses and
body sizes in mind. Forcing a child to adapt to a taller stool is just a
bad idea. The 24 inch stool can be a good fit for kids age 8-11.
Artists are another group of people that find it difficult to get seating
that puts them in a comfortable position to do their work. Sculptors and
painters must often reach lower points than most bar stools will
accommodate. Having a seat as low as 24 inches is a good choice for this
kind of work, and a swivel stool makes things even more convenient.
For those who like to spend an evening or weekend day in their garage or
basement shop tinkering, a shorter bar stool is, again, a good solution.
Many of the machines and tools being used in these settings require a
sitting position that standard stools just can't provide. The 24 inch bar
stool is ideal for those lower positions, while investing in a
higher-than-standard stool is also a good idea for the jobs requiring a
taller position.
The kitchen is yet another place where a shorter bar stool can be quite
handy. A 24 inch stool allows for a seated position that keeps your feet
on the ground, ready to stand and fetch things or to move around more
easily while preparing a meal.
Why the 30" Bar Stool is Considered Standard
Bar stools come in many styles, including different heights. The so-called
'standard' height is the 30" bar stool. Why is that? There are actually
several reasons why 30 inches has been deemed the proper seat height
standard for bar stools. If you think of the typical adult human's body
dimensions and then consider the height of most kitchen counters and
restaurant bar tables, it begins to make a lot of sense.
Unless you're really short or really tall, having a 30"-high seat when
sitting on a stool is just about the most comfortable position. Most bar
stools have a foot rail about halfway between the seat and the floor. This
is to provide us with a comfortable place to rest our feet and take
pressure off the backs of our thighs. It's purely a matter of being able
to sit for extended periods in the stool without leg and lower back pain.
It works well for adults who fall within the average range of leg length.
Another reason why a 30" bar stool is considered standard is to match the
manufacturing standards for home kitchen counters. Those typically run
40-44 inches, so a 30" seat is just right for eating, sipping wine,
smoking, or just resting your elbows as you chat.
If you use the kind of counters that separate the kitchen from the living
room or breakfast nook, they often have overhangs to extend the surface
area. This is another reason why 30" stools work so well. Most adults have
about 8-12 inches of thigh on both legs that must fit between the stool
seat and the bottom of the overhang of the counter. A 30" stool is just
right for a snug fit that doesn't pinch.
In restaurants, many bars have a few tables for patrons who wish to drink
alcohol and enjoy a meal. These tabletops sit higher off the ground than
regular restaurant tables, so they require bar stools or tall chairs. The
tables are, just like kitchen counters, generally about 40-44 inches high,
so 30" bar stools are, again, a good fit.
34" Bar Stool - Perfect for Tall Counters (and Tall People)
Most kitchen and bar counters stand about 40 inches high. However,
builders are now producing 45" models with increasing frequency. This has
thrown a bit of a curveball at new homeowners and bar owners who find
themselves needing bar stools that are a bit higher than standard models
(but not a lot taller). Enter the 34" bar stool! This height is ideal for
use with the slightly taller counters.
It is possible, of course, to use the standard bar stool height of 30" in
conjunction with higher countertops. Nevertheless, doing so will put
people sitting in them and trying to eat comfortably in a slightly awkward
position. It just won't feel right to them.
Have you ever eaten at a restaurant where the table seemed either too far
away or too near your face? This happens a lot in establishments that use
booths with seats that have lost their resilience and cause you to sink.
You suddenly feel like the tabletop is right in your face.
Sitting in a 34" bar stool at a 45" counter or table is the correct
combination. Not too close, not too far away. As Goldilocks would have
said, "Just right."
Another use for 34" stools is for tall folks who will be sitting in them
without being at a counter or table. Standard bar stools have seats that
rise 30" from the floor. This is a good sitting position for people who
are in the average range of heights. However, for those who are a bit
taller, especially men, this presents a bit of a quandary. The stool is in
that in-between position, where it's uncomfortable to place your feet on
the foot rail, but you're still too far away to place them on the floor
without straining the backs of your thighs.
The 34" bar stool is ideal for taller folks. They are to six-footers what
30" stools are to those of average stature.
French Country bar stools
If you're looking for a touch of elegance in your home, French country bar
stools are an excellent choice. These stools feature curved legs with
fluted ends, rattan or rush seats, and seatbacks with highly stylized
designs. They are among the most beautiful wooden bar stools on the
market.
The artisans in the French countryside have made some of the finest
furniture in the world for generations, stretching back hundreds of years.
Their unique designs have been much sought after and adorn some of the
most elegant palaces and estates throughout Europe. This has been
especially true of their chairs and bar stools.
French country furniture design has its roots in several periods in
France's history. These include during the reigns of Louis XV, Louis XVI,
and Louis Philippe in the 18th and 19th centuries. The emphasis is on
relaxed comfort, soft, rounded corners and edges, and most of all,
intricate scrollwork carved into the wood. This design focus has been kept
intact in bar stools being manufactured in the French country theme today.
This style of barstool works extremely well in rooms that feature neutral
earth-tone colors on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Other furniture should
also be made from hardwood and finished in earthy colors. The idea is to
mimic country homes in the farming and wine regions of Central and
Southern France.
You can tie in all of the elements of the room
in which you place French country bar stools by including the right kind
of artwork on the walls. If you choose neutral colors (paint, wallpaper),
you can liven things up a bit by adding French period paintings or prints
that feature nature scenes. The Impressionist period is a good choice.
Look for prints of the works of Claude Monet or Pierre Auguste Renoir.
Of course, bar stools in this wonderful French style are also functional.
They tend to be shorter, so they work well with short tables, writing
tables, or counters. In fact, these bar stools go exceptionally well with
tables that are also in the French country style.
Why the 36 Inch Bar Stool is Gaining Popularity
Extra tall bar stools are beginning to gain a following as uses for them
have expanded in recent years. Not so long ago, a 36 inch bar stool would
have been comically tall and purchased more for the look than for anything
practical. Not so today! With bar tables and kitchen countertops being
built higher off the floor, 36 inch stools are not only practical, they're
preferable in more and more instances.
Actually, a 36 inch stool has always been useful for tall people. If
you're 6'3" tall or taller, standard bar stools (30 inches) are just too
short for you to comfortably place your feet. The foot rail is too high up
and the floor is still too far away. You get stuck in between and have to
constantly squirm around on the seat, changing positions in an attempt to
take the strain off your legs and lower back.
So, there has always been a small market for stools with higher seats. But
in recent years, that market has expanded significantly, thanks to a trend
toward taller bar tables and kitchen countertops. The standard has always
been 40-44 inches for both, but it's now becoming more and more common to
find heights in the 45-48 inch range. This has made 34-36 inch bar stools
suddenly very attractive, even for people of average height.
If you're in the market for bar stools, but the practical uses are not as
important to you as the style and esthetic properties, you have another
reason to consider extra tall stools. There are lots of different designs,
but they all have one thing in common - long, elegant legs. Whether you
choose backless swivel stools or intricately designed stationary stools
with backs, the long legs draw the eyes of even casual observers. They
look terrific in any home or business!
One note of caution about 36 inch bar stools - be careful not to buy them
if they're intended to be used with a counter or table of standard height.
It's easy to overlook the fact that there needs to be 8-12 inches of space
between the top of the stool's seat and the bottom of the countertop or
table. Thighs have to go somewhere, after all.
The Benefits of Choosing an Adjustable Bar Stool
Most bar stools are made specifically to fit a certain table or countertop
height. While that's fine for most applications, there are times when it
would be nice to have an adjustable bar stool for different uses. Whether
you use stools for a business or at home, chances are good that an
adjustable stool will beat a stationary one in almost every case that
calls for convenience and flexibility.
In restaurants and bars, the need for stools that adjust is not as
pronounced as it can be for home uses. Such businesses tend to have
stationary stools that match the bar or tables throughout the
establishment. Being adjustable isn't usually crucial (although this can
still be beneficial if the owner decides to change the bar or dining
tables later on).
Where adjustable bar stools really stand out is for home use, where the
same stool might be used for multiple purposes. When company is over,
adjustable stools can be used to accommodate dining and drinks at the
kitchen counter. For everyday use, adjustable stools can be used by anyone
in the family for any kind of work or play that involves sitting. Whereas
a stationary bar stool might be too tall for the kids, an adjustable stool
is flexible enough to be used by all.
Adjustable bar stools don't need to be changed when you decide to get new
counters or tables. In this way, they are superior long-term investments
and should last many years, even if your home's interior décor changes
regularly.
If you decide to shop for adjustable stools, look for models that not only
adjust up and down, but also forward and backward. This will further
increase the uses available to you. For example, a stool with a seat that
can be tilted forward may make the difference between a comfortable fit
and too tight a squeeze for a visitor who has large legs. Or, you may have
a family member or visitor who likes to lean back a bit as he or she chats
or sips wine.
The idea is to maximize a stool's usefulness in all kinds of situations
and with many different people. There's no doubt that an adjustable bar
stool makes good sense all around.
Aluminum Bar Stools - Light & Durable
Bar stools made from aluminum offer two advantages over wood or heavier
metal stools. Aluminum is one of the lightest metals and is being used to
manufacture all kinds of products, including furniture. It's an ideal
choice because, pound for pound, it's one of the strongest metals. It's
also a very durable alloy. An incident that might permanently gouge or cut
a traditional wood bar stool will probably bounce off an aluminum stool,
causing little or no significant damage.
Aluminum is also a good choice because it's rustproof. There's no need to
worry about the years to come, especially if the stools will be used on a
daily basis in a restaurant or bar. Spilled drinks and people tracking in
moisture from rain or snow outside would quickly cause the oxidation of
other metals, but commercial-grade aluminum does not rust.
Some bar stools, especially those with ladder or slatted backs, can weigh
a considerable amount when made from wood, stainless steel, or other
heavier materials. If you're using them in a business, this can make them
hard to move for your very young, very old, and injured patrons. It can
also increase your risk of having to pay an employee who pulls a muscle or
slips a spinal disk and has to take time off to get it fixed. Investing in
lighter aluminum bar stools decreases this risk substantially, and is more
considerate of your customers.
Stool manufacturers make aluminum models that are all metal or only
partially so. The advantage of all-aluminum bar stools is that they're
about as light as you can make a bar stool. The disadvantage is that
they're more uncomfortable to sit in compared to stools with padded
leather or wood seats. If you choose to go with 100% aluminum stools, look
for those with molded seats that have indentations to more comfortably
accommodate a pair of legs.
The Advantages of Aluminum bar stools
Over the years, furniture makers have embraced the use of aluminum in all
kinds of products, from patio furniture to bar stools. The advantages are
many. In a lot of ways, aluminum is the ideal substance for anything that
needs to be lightweight, strong, and easy to work with in the
manufacturing process. Compared to other metals and any kind of wood,
aluminum holds many advantages.
As with any product that has to be manufactured, the cost of materials is
a major factor contributing to the price consumers end up paying. On this
score, aluminum bar stools help consumers win in two ways. First, because
aluminum is relatively cheap to make and because it is so easy to work
with from a manufacturing standpoint, it does not unduly increase the end
product's price.
Also, because aluminum is so light compared to other metals and wood, bar
stools that must be shipped to the buyer cost much less. Any piece of
furniture that must be shipped will be costly (unless you're lucky enough
to find a free shipping deal), because the item will invariably be heavy.
With aluminum, weight is significantly reduced, so you get your bar stools
that much cheaper.
Another advantage that aluminum makes possible is its ability to mimic
polished stainless steel. Stainless steel is a considerably heavier and
more costly metal, both of which factors will mean higher prices on things
like bar stools. Since aluminum can be made to closely resemble finished
stainless steel, there's really no advantage in choosing the heavier
metal.
From the barstool manufacturer's perspective,
aluminum is an attractive metal for all the reasons listed above, but also
because it is more extricable and merchantable than steel. In other words,
aluminum provides the manufacturer with a lot more design possibilities
than other metals. So, you end up with more barstool styles from which to
choose, some of them very artistic and beautiful.
Bar stool Chairs for Home Use
If you have a home bar or kitchen counter separating the kitchen and the
dining area, you might consider adding some barstool chairs. These are a
kind of hybrid barstool that works like a chair but is taller. They have
seatbacks, cushioned fabric, leather, or wood seats, and often have
armrests. While primarily made to be used with home bars or tall counters,
they can also be used as stand-alone pieces of furniture in the living
room or study.
A fairly recent trend has been the introduction of ergonomics in barstool
designs. You'll find this is definitely the case with barstool chairs for
home use. Features like tilting seats and seatbacks, adjustable heights,
and added cushioning are being introduced in more and more chairs. This
trend gives you more options in terms of how you use the chairs in your
home.
Another clear benefit of this kind of barstool in the home is versatility.
Kids can use them for homework or watching TV. Adults can use them for
virtually anything that requires sitting for any length of time. Because
they blend the best of both traditional bar stools and regular chairs, you
end up with more comfortable seating that puts you in a taller position,
increasing the practical uses.
The materials used to make barstool chairs vary quite a bit, just like
other furniture. It's easy to find stools that match virtually any other
furniture you have in your home, making them a lot easier to shop for.
Wrought iron seems to be a popular material, as well as oak, pine, and
even cherry. You'll also find a lot of combinations, such as stainless
steel or aluminum frames around wood seats and seatbacks.
A good tip is to pay particular attention to the quality of the seat and
seatback cushioning in the barstool chairs you consider buying. This is
especially important if you know the chairs will get a lot of use. Look
for durable fabrics, vinyl, or thick leather and lots of stuffing in the
seats to make long-term sitting more comfortable.
bar stools - Shopping Tips
When shopping for new bar stools, it helps to have a guide to follow to
ensure that you get a great deal on high quality seating. With so many
choices out there, it's easy to become overwhelmed and settle for bar
stools that aren't quite what you wanted. That's totally avoidable! Just
follow these simple tips and the experience will be less stressful.
No matter what you're shopping for, the first two steps should always be
to figure out your own desires and what you can afford. Get those two out
of the way right up front and you'll eliminate a lot of options before you
even begin to actually shop.
When it comes to bar stools for your home, you probably have a good idea
of what types of materials and designs will look most appealing. Just by
looking around the room which the bar stools will occupy, you can get a
feel for what will work best. Get opinions from other family members and
trusted friends as well.
In terms of what you can afford, that's pretty cut-and-dried. Keep a
reasonable range of prices in mind, and fight the urge to rationalize
spending too much if you find stools that look great but are out of your
financial reach. Be sure to factor in shipping charges if you don't take
the bar stools home in your own vehicle!
As you begin to shop, pay close attention to the materials used in the
manufacture of the various bar stools that catch your eye. If you shop at
a local store, touch the stools, pick one up to gauge its weight, and sit
in it to see if it's comfortable. If you're shopping online or through a
catalog, be sure to get answers to specific questions by calling or
emailing the company's customer support. The key is to investigate these
important issues before you make a final decision. If you have to jump
through hoops to get answers, move on. You don't want to give that company
your money, no matter how nice their bar stools are!
As you narrow your list of choices, you might want to take some time to
research the bar stools on your list by using the Internet. There are many
websites devoted to consumer reviews. Spend some time seeing what others
who have bought the bar stools you're considering have to say about them.
This can be invaluable information as you make a final decision.
The Advantages of Upholstered Bar Stools
Many homeowners looking to add bar stools to their home décor are finding
that upholstered stools have a lot going for them. It's all about
versatility. The days of using furniture like bar stools only in the home
bar or game room are long gone. Today's owner wants a stool design that
will look great in virtually any room in the house.
An upholstered bar stool has one major advantage over traditional bar
stools for home use - it won't stand out like a sore thumb when placed
with living room furniture. It will look right at home next to your other
upholstered furniture. You'll get extra seating for parties or when your
kids' friends come over without ruining the coherence of the room's décor.
Another positive aspect of choosing upholstered bar stools is their unique
look. Standard stools look great in their intended environments, but put
them in another room and they can sometimes look completely out of place.
With upholstered stools, they're just as useful in the bar or game room as
tradition bar stools, but they give you the additional benefit of being of
use in your home's other rooms without looking odd in those settings.
When you choose upholstered stools, you get furniture that can change with
your own tastes over the years. When your "pastel" phase is over and you
decide to go with earth tones, you won't have to throw out the old bar
stools. Just reupholster them! Problem solved. If you're careful to pick a
neutral wood or metal frame color, your stools can move on with you for
decades.
The one potential downside to choosing upholstered bar stools is the
inevitable stains. You can count on spilled drinks, dropped dip, and other
accidents. However, if you're careful to pick fabric material that resists
stains - or to apply stain guards - this risk is minimal. One back-up
solution is to use inexpensive (but not cheap looking) fabric, so you can
reupholster the stool without crying over the cost.
|
|
[ home ] [ site map ] [ billiards articles ] [ pool tables articles ] [ billiards News ]
© COPYRIGHT 2006 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED POOLANDBILLIARDTABLES.COM