4 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Bar Stools

Having been in the industry for many years, it’s fair to say we know a thing or two about buying bar stools. We understand it’s an exciting purchase that’s more about the style, fun and social opportunities the stools bring than their actual functionality. 

For these reasons alone, many people get more carried away with their purchase than they ever would with, say, dining chairs. But there are 4 common mistakes you need to avoid to ensure you’re making a savvy, long-term investment with your furniture. In this article, our expert shares their top insider tips to keep you on track.

#1. Don’t Pick the Cheapest Bar Stools

It's tempting, when shopping for anything really, to opt for the cheapest option or best deal. It can be a good idea with items like branded household goods and groceries. But when it comes to buying bar stools, you should always put quality first. 

We're not saying buy an expensive bar stool for the sake of it, but don't just go for the cheapest one to save some pennies! Chances are, you'll end up replacing it further down the line as it won't stand the test of time. It’s especially important if you enjoy hosting parties or have kids and animals that might cause inevitable damage. 

Good quality bar stools don't have to be the most expensive, but they'll always cost a little more than the budget, breakable versions.

#2. Shop Around and Compare Your Options

With online shopping accessible from your fingertips, it’s never been easier to shop around and see all the options open to you. So, when buying bar stools, we urge you not to just pick the first set you come across. 

It can seem like the easiest route, but you’re potentially missing out on a better offer, better customer service and a better investment in your furniture. For example, at Lakeland Furniture, we offer competitive prices, strive to deliver the best customer service, provide next-day delivery and you benefit from a no-quibble 30-day return policy on all bar stools from our extensive collection. So get those tabs open and get comparing!

#3. Choose the Right Size Bar Stools

Before committing to a purchase, you need to measure first! Ordering the wrong size bar stool is one of the most common mistakes people make.

Stools come in different sizes, much like dining chairs and office chairs. However, bar stools are much more varied in height than any other piece of furniture. Take a look at our bar stool size guide for the full details of the best size for your home. 

In short, you'll generally need to pick from counter height, bar height, extra-tall and adjustable height. Make sure you are aware of how tall your kitchen counter or breakfast bar is, and how tall the stool you're about to buy is to avoid any disappointment down the line.

#4. Don’t Get Carried Away With Colours and Styles

If you’re ready to buy kitchen stools, you’ve probably got a style and colour in mind. Now, we pride ourselves on having the largest selection of bar stools available in the UK, but we don’t want you to get carried away! Just because you’ve fallen in love with a dark green velvet bar stool with chrome legs doesn’t mean it will suit your country-chic kitchen style!

When buying bar stools, think about the overall style of your room and what's going to look the best. Need some inspiration? Check out our guide to this year’s best bar stools. 

What Should You Consider Before You Buy Kitchen Stools?

Now you’re clued up on the mistakes to avoid, let’s cover the top tips of what to consider when buying bar stools.

Bar Stool Style

We’ve touched on this briefly, but just to reiterate: the style of your bar stools makes a huge difference! From chic vintage velvet to rustic wood seating, find the best style to match your decor. Bar stools aren’t just a practical seating option, they’re also a way to add your own personality to your home. 

The Comfort of Your New Bar Stool

How comfy do you want your bar stools to be? Are they designed to be a short-term seating option for coffee and pastries on a Sunday morning? Or do you want to sit in it all day while working from home at the kitchen island? 

For some people, style wins over how comfortable the stool is. For others, comfort is key. Only you know the answer to this. But trust us when we say some bar stools offer a more luxurious seating experience than others. For total comfort, think soft fabrics, padded seats and back/armrests for a more ergonomic set up.

The Size You Need

We can’t emphasise this point enough! How big is the room for your bar stools? Are they going at a kitchen counter? Island? Table? How many people do you need to seat? These are all incredibly important considerations to help you find the right bar stools for your home. 

Make sure you leave enough space in between the seats for people to get on/off them. And make sure there’s enough space for your legs. You’ll find all the specifications you need on each of our products to help you buy the perfect kitchen stools. 

Extra Features

Finally, what features are you looking for from your next bar stools? For example:

• Footrests
• Backrests
• Armrests
• Swivel or stationary
• Adjustable height
• Easy to clean

You’ll find a mixture of all of these features when buying bar stools. Only you know which ones are important and those you’re willing to compromise on. 

Buying Bar Stools With Lakeland Furniture

We make it our aim to deliver a positive shopping experience from a fantastic selection of bar stools to outstanding customer service and fast delivery. 

Shop the range of bar stools today to start taking advantage of all the perks of being a Lakeland Furniture customer.