When you think of a bar, what images do you think of? A seedy dive bar with worn upholstered stools, dark lighting, and a discolored counter? A modern bar with futuristic-looking bar stools and a metal or glass counter, with rows of bottles of alcohol rising behind the bartender like a glass pipe organ?Regardless of what kind of drinks are being served, from standard beer to specialty martinis, the design and décor of a bar is part of its character. Whether you want to build a small bar in your home or you’re planning to remodel a commercial bar or pub, the furniture you pick is essentially the foundation for the atmosphere. And, if you are creating an updated sports bar or a lounge, the furniture is going to be different for both.
To start, are you aware of how many different kinds of bar stools exist and how even where the customers will be sitting makes a significant difference? Bar stools are often made out of wood or metal and often are upholstered. Some even come with arm rests. Depending upon the height of the counter depends on the height of the stool, although most bar stools have a height of 24 or 30 inches. Some modern designs of bar stools have adjustable height and can be used for various counter heights. In addition, stools can come with a back or be backless.
But, in some cases, chairs can be more appropriate, particularly if your bar has table seating. Bar chairs come in the same types of materials as stools and can also have a swivel top and arm rests.
Wood bar stools or chairs can be made with most types of wood, although more higher-end bar stools can be made from Italian beech wood. Depending on the manufacturer, the Italian beech can even be customized to be a certain color or stain of wood and can be made with or without nail heads. Online retailer, Alfa Bar Stools, for example, will customize the shade of the wood, as long as you provide a sample of the color.
Metal bar furniture is as almost as common as wooden furniture, but the style can differ if you’re going for a retro 1950s bar look or a somewhat modern or futuristic look. Metal bar stools and chairs come in aluminum or chrome-style varieties. Chrome-style is typically aluminum based but plated to look like chrome. Standard aluminum is best for outdoor bar seating and, if upholstered, should have PVC seating.
As far as the actual seat is concerned, bar stools come in such varieties as swivel, no swivel, and memory swivel. Memory swivel is more recent, as the chair seat doesn’t move all around and will lock in place. The seat can be upholstered or not, and, in some cases, can have a “scoop seat” design. The back of the seat – if the bar stool has a back – can have a straight or S-back, which has a more appropriate curve design for the back.
Whether you’re choosing to create a bar in your house or make a commercial bar, many bar and restaurant retailers have several styles and designs to choose from.
