Bar Stools vs. Counter Stools

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that sometimes I use my Instagram Stories to point out design mishaps. More recently, I went to pick up lunch and ran into the most uncomfortable seating situation.

Exhibit A

As I was waiting for my food order to be completed, I decided to sit at a table near the pick-up area and I quickly realized they didn’t think this seating situation through (this is what happens when you don’t hire a designer, folks). The client clearly had the table custom made—it’s made out of piping and has a concrete top. 

Well guess what, nobody ever sits there. Because they can’t. There’s no space to actually fit your legs under the table! If you really pay attention, you’ll see this in interior photographs all over Pinterest as well. Or you’ll see the opposite problem, the stool is way too low. 

Where to Use a Counter Stool

Counter stools are used at counters that are at the same height as all the main work surfaces in the kitchen. This includes all your countertops and island which are typically 36” high. So if you have a large island with base cabinets on one side and seating on the other, this is where you would use counter stools. 

If you used bar stools in this situation, the user wouldn’t have enough leg room (see Exhibit A).

Where to Use a Bar Stool

It’s best to use bar stools at high-top tables, bars, and split-top islands that have higher counters at the seating area. Countertops at “bar height” are typically 42” high, so you need higher stools to accommodate that height difference. 

A general rule of thumb is to have a minimum of 10 inches between the stool seat and the underside of the countertop. The maximum space you want is about 12 inches.