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Bar Stools: A Guide to Finding the Right Size for Your Space

At Furniture Row, we know there’s nothing more frustrating than taking home brand new bar stools only to find out they are the wrong size for your space. Unfortunately, this furnishing faux-pas is becoming increasingly common in today’s day and age. Why? It really comes down to the fact that some bar stool basics aren’t exactly common knowledge. But don’t worry, we're here to help you navigate through all the different different sizes of bar stools available so you can find the perfect fit for your home.

3 Standard Bar Stool Heights

Bar stoolsare designed to fit beneath countertops and tables of various heights in any given home. What most people don’t know is that countertops and other dining surfaces come in three standard heights: Counter Height, Bar Height, and Dining Height. Almost all bar stools on the market today are designed to fit beneath one of these standard countertop heights.

But how do you know which bar stool is designed for which type of table or countertop? It all comes down to about 10” inches. Bar stools are designed to fit beneath tall surfaces, but they are designed to leave about 10” of space between the seat and the dining surface so your legs can fit comfortably. So, if you’re looking for the right type of bar stool, you just need to check your measurements! Make sure you find a bar stool that measures about 10 inches less than your countertop or table! Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the different types of bar stools.

Counter Height Bar Stools

  • Height Range:22”- 26”

Counter Height Bar Stool - A counter height bar stool is a tall dining stool that is intended to be used alongside counter height tables, kitchen countertops, and kitchen islands. The seats of standard counter height bar stools usually range between 22” - 26” in height because they are designed to fit comfortably beneath standard 36” countertops. Check out all of our counter height bar stools right here in our Counter Height Bar Stool Collection!


Bar Height Bar Stools

  • Height Range:27”- 33”

Bar Height Bar Stool - A bar height bar stool is the tallest type of bar stool. Bar height bar stools usually range between 27 - 33” in height as they’re intended to fit comfortably beneath 42” bar tables (sometimes called "pub tables") and bar height countertops. Check out all of our bar height bar stools right here in our Bar Height Bar Stool Collection!



Dining Height Bar Stools

  • Height Range:15”- 21”

Dining Height Bar Stool - A dining height bar stool, often called a “dining stool”, is a small stool which is intended to replace a side chair at a dining table. Dining height bar stools range anywhere from 15” - 21” in height because they are intended to fit comfortably beneath standard dining tables, which are about 30” tall. Check out all of our bar height bar stools right here in our Dining Height Bar Stool Collection!

With Furniture Row, finding the right fit has never been easier. Start browsing our selection today and discover the perfect bar stools for your space - or shop ourmodern, contemporary, and farmhouse furniture collections and create a comfortable and stylish seating area that you'll love for years to come.

If you found this furniture guide helpful, be sure to check out our Sofa Buying Guide series for everything you need to buy the perfect sofa for your home!