Oak Bar Stools - Important Considerations + How To Care For Them

Oak bar stoolsare the perfect complement to any kitchen or other area of the house with a bar or a pub table. Many kitchens have a short bar separating the kitchen area from the dining area. This is a perfect place for a couple of bar stools. There are also people who have basements or recreation rooms with short bars or even pub tables. These stools give guests a place to sit where they can reach the table and feel comfortable at the same time. You can choose to buy a stool with or without a back.

Things to consider

If you are looking to buy some oak bar stools, there are several things you want to consider:

1. Where are you going to put the stools? If you are putting them in the kitchen area, you are probably going to want to look for something that can easily be tucked away. You will also want to make sure you get something sturdy to withstand a lot of use and movement but also something comfortable because this will be a popular place for guests to gather.

2. How tall do you want the stools to be? Be sure to measure carefully, and when you go to buy the stools, ask for assistance in choosing the correct height. If you get stools that are too tall, you will find your knees bumping into the counter, and you might find that you cannot stow away the stools when they are not being used. However, if the stools are too short, you will find yourself unable to reach the counter or at an awkward angle to the counter. This will make you and your guests uncomfortable when sitting on the stools.

3. What color do you want? Even though you have chosen to buy oak bar stools, you still have some variance in color to deal with. If you choose a natural grain, there are a wide variety of shades to choose from. Most products made from oak are on the lighter side, but many sellers will stain the items before they sell them. This gives you a choice in oak shade. In addition, you can opt to have the stools painted. If you do that option, you will be able to choose from any shade of paint at all.

4. Do you want a padded seat? Some stools come with padded seats already built in as part of the stool. For example, Bob's Discount Furniture sells a small bar and two stools as a set. The set is darkly stained oak, and the stools are round and backless. The stools also come with a padded leather attachment at the top to make the stools comfortable. You can also make or buy cushions to fit on stools. It is an easy task to make your own cushion. You can find directions online at the Free Online Library or Ezine Articles websites. All you need, besides sewing materials like needle, thread, and scissors, is some fabric and stuffing material. The online directions will tell you how much fabric and stuffing you will need. Then, the materials—as well as the tools—can be purchased at any crafting store like JoAnn Fabrics or Hobby Lobby.

5. Do you want your oak bar stoolsto have backs? Stools without backs are good for places here people will not be sitting for a very long time. These are difficult getting comfortable on. They are best suited for short-term sitting. Stools with backs are better suited to places where people will be hanging out or sitting for extended periods of time.

6. Do you want your stools to swivel? A swivel stool is one that can turn side to side. If your stools are close together, a swivel stool can make it easier for your guests to get in and out of the chair. Swivel stools usually have a stationary four legged base. Then, attached to that is a swivel mechanism on which the actual chair sits. Some swivel chairs have a stop, so they can only be turned so far each way. Others do not have the stop, so they can be turned all the way around instead of just side to side.

Where to buy

You can find oak bar stools in stores at discount retailers like Target, Kmart, or Walmart. At these places, you can pay anywhere between $35 and $300. For a simple, rectangular stool that can easily be pushed under the counter or against the wall, you can expect to pay in the lower range. The fancier you get with the stool, the more you can expect to pay. On the higher end of the spectrum, you will find stools that swivel, have backs, have leather padding, are major brand names, etc. IKEA has several selections of stools. The two most popular are the Franklin and the Hendriksdal. The Franklin is a foldable bar stool than folds completely flat for storage. It is actually on a medal frame, but it has an oak seat and an oak back. These stools cost only $25 each. The Hendriksdal costs a little more, at around $100 each. These are larger, sturdier stools—they are basically tall chairs. The solid construction makes them more suitable for larger spaces. The stools are simply constructed, just a solid square shaped seat with a strong back to support any person who sits there. You can also find oak bar stools at furniture stores like Ashley or Wolfe Furniture. At these places, you are most likely to find the stools come in a set. Usually it is either a set of two bar stools or a set that includes, in addition to two bar stools, a small bar area. A set like this would be great if you were looking to add an additional seating area to your kitchen, game room, or porch.

There are also many places online to find oak bar stools.Look for websites like Top Furniture, a British website. This site carries nice stools with backs and leather padded seats. Here, you can expect to pay about $200. Countryside Cabinetry is an Amish company that makes high backed swivel stools. Each oak stool costs just under $200. The Hawke's Bay website offers hand crafted and customized stools that start at about $200.

How to care for your stools

If you are spending a couple hundred dollars on a set of stools, you are going to want to take good care of them. Be sure to keep them well oiled, especially in the drier months of the year. This can consist of using a product like Murphy Oil Soap. This both cleans and oils the chair to keep the wood looking brand new. Do not use harsh chemicals on your wood. If the stool needs cleaning, try a distilled white vinegar solution. If you notice your wood beginning to crack or splinter, you should take immediate action. Preventative maintenance will stop problems before they start, so hopefully you will be able to avoid any issues like this.

If you choose a swivel stool, you will also want to be sure that the swivel mechanism stays lubricated so it will continue to swivel well. One common probably people have with bar stools is the issue with crumbs. They get lodged in the most inconvenient places, and they are sometimes difficult to remove. Owners of oak bar stoolsrecommend the Murphy line of products for cleaning and maintenance. Of course, you can also choose a homemade method like a solution with vinegar, water, and baking soda. There are also other brand names on the market.

If you are need something to complement your bar or kitchen counter, oak bar stoolsfit the bill. There are so many options when trying to choose a stool that you are sure to find exactly what you want. By taking into consideration the list mentioned earlier in this article, you can pinpoint what you are looking for in a bar stool. Additionally, if you want bar stools but do not have a specific place to put them, remember that you have the option of buying stools that come with an accompanying bar. Just be sure you have space for it in your home! After picking the color, swivel, back, and padding options, the main decision you will have left is how many you should buy to suit your needs.