Bar chairs: what are they and how to choose?

Bar chairs can be called interesting design elements in the interior of the kitchen, living room, home mini-bar. Ditching the traditional indoor dining area is increasingly seen as a way to save space. In studio apartments, country cottages, open-plan housing, the possibility of replacing a table with chairs with a bar counter looks very attractive. It's just that the seats for such an element of the interior need very special ones.

A semi-bar chair for the kitchen and a soft high chair on wheels for the home, semi-chairs with a disk back and other models - all these options can be harmoniously combined with modern minimalism and other interior styles.

A bar chair is a piece of furniture that allows a seated person to sit comfortably. Initially, such furniture should have a deeper, more comfortable fit than a chair. In addition, there are numerous models of semi-chairs equipped with armrests for additional support. The classic bar position provides for the height at which a person's chest is against the counter.

According to the distance from the floor to the seat, all bar chairs are of 3 types.

• Compact. A height of 60–70 cm is considered relevant for bar chairs combined with small counters. Usually their countertop is flush with the kitchen set.
• High. With legs from 90–95 cm, they are relevant for full-size bar counters. At home, such models are rarely used.
• Foldable or transformable. Their height indicators can be varied, adjusting to the height of the person who is to sit. This is a universal solution, usually you can choose from 2-3 positions.

Among the popular varieties of bar chairs, the following can be distinguished.

• Semi-chair. This includes models with a backrest up to 35 cm high and armrests. They will provide a fairly comfortable fit for a short time.

• High chair. White, red or black, soft, leather upholstered. This chair looks respectable, looks good with radius bar counters, wooden legs.

• Semi-bar chair on wheels. A versatile option, more like classic upholstered furniture for the kitchen or living room. It can be used in the living room if it is equipped with a minibar.

• On legs. There can be 2, 3 or 4 of them, depending on the design features. The more supports, the more stable the chair.

• On disk. This is the most popular bar furniture format. These chairs are equipped with footrests, low backs, rounded or square seats.

Among the popular materials used in the design of bar chairs, you can find natural and synthetic options. The base structure is most often made of metal, wood or plastic. The frame can also be made of polycarbonate. In this case, the chair model will be translucent, with overhead soft pillows or liners. Solid wood is well suited for decorating furnishings in the style of country, scandi, provence; chrome steel - for high-tech interiors.

Seat upholstery can also be quite varied. In a budget version, an armchair or a half-armchair is made of fabric - cotton, linen, velor, silk. The more respectable upholstery made of genuine leather and suede also looks interesting.These armchairs are combined with marble bar counters and are made in a classic and avant-garde design. If the budget is limited, an affordable substitute is used - eco-leather.

When choosing a bar chair for the kitchen, it is important to pay attention to the following points.

• Design features. The elbow-resting half-chairs are really comfortable for long sitting. You can also spend time with a cup of coffee and chat with friends on an armchair that does not have armrests at all.
• Design. Modern design bureaus offer to consider a variety of exclusive solutions. You can choose a model of an armchair with a car seat from luxury brands of transport, choose an option with a barrel or rim support, give preference to soft plush versions in retro style.
• Materials. In a high-tech interior, the most interesting look are chrome-plated supports on the disc, metal parts of the armrests, natural or artificial leather. Wooden armchairs with 4 or 3 legs with upholstered backrests and seats look spectacular in a classic or retro style of space design.
• Interior style. Bar chairs fit especially well with the aesthetics of hi-tech, loft, minimalism. In a Scandinavian interior, this type of furniture is most often found in the living room space. In country aesthetics, it is common to use hardwood chairs with a hard seat and overhead cushions.

For information on how to choose the right bar chairs, see the next video.