Rich's for the Home

Bar Stool Fashion Show

I strolled the showroom floor at Rich’s Lynnwood store and counted over two dozen models of bar stools, plus another 15 or so models on clearance for 50% off the retail price. 

Rich’s carries bar stools from three manufacturers: 

1. Pastel
2. Bermex
3. Lawrenceville

At Rich’s, you can order any stool these manufacturers sell  in your choice of finish and fabric.

Popular finishes include:

• Wood – a classic favorite, in colors ranging from ebony to cordovan, mocha, amber (cherry, mahogany, walnut)
• Iron – elegant
• Wood and iron – classic, yet sturdy
• Brushed steel – a contemporary, titanium-like feel

When I test-drove Rich’s bar stools, I particularly liked those with suede upholstery. Suede is cushy and comfy, plus it’s durable and easy to clean.

If you’re planning to decorate (or re-decorate) your eating area or outdoor room, you can build your décor around new bar stools. Here’s a “fashion show” of several of the models I found on Rich’s showroom floor:

When you’re shopping for bar stools, make sure you get the right height.

Standard bar stool heights:

• Counter height
• Bar height
• Chair height
• Vanity height
• Spectator height
• Hydraulic (adjustable from 24 ½ to 32 ½” – hair salon chair)

In addition to height, finish, and upholstery, you need to consider the following:

• Casual or formal
• Swivel vs. stationary
• Arms vs. armless
• Arm height
• Back vs. backless
• Seat padding
• Upholstered seat height vs. wood seat height
• Maximum width and depth

The Best Bar Stool Posts

We've written most everything about bar stools already and yet some of you still need to come in and pick some out. So I thought that I would help you along the way with that goal. Click on the links to read more about each topic.

Pictures- Taking pictures of your space gives you something to take along with you to choose the best style of bar stool for the area you are decorating.

What to Consider- Here is a handy list of what you should consider when choosing bar stools.

Swivel and Sit- Swivel bar stools might be the perfect choice for you. Here's why.

Custom-Designed- If you can't find what you want, Rich's for the Home has some availability for specialty designed bar stools that will be perfect for you.

Storage- Learn what to look for if you want to stack your bar stools and how to do it with ease.

Caring for your bar stools- Caring for them properly will make them last the longest. Here's tips on how to clean and take good care of your investment.

Pictures for your bar stool selection

Bar Stools are an eclectic lot. In spite of that, there is a style to meet every need and decor. Only you can decide what works best with your decorating already in place. Should you add more wood, some chrome or some metal? Should you have padded seats or curved backs? Should you choose the swivel style or not?

I recommend that you take some pictures of the bar and area that you are outfitting to Rich's for the Home. Our people there are trained to assist and can help you choose styles and colors that best match your needs if you need help. Even if you don't, other opinions are always good, right?

Pictures will help you remember the details of your decor and reduce your chances of having to return the bar stools because they just aren't close enough to what your room needs. You can even stick them all side by side on a large piece of card-stock so that you can see all of the pictures at once.

Here are some of the many options available to you:

• Wooden
• Metal
• Curved Backs
• Padded Seats
• Swivel Seats
• Full Backs

No worries-you can still bring them back if the ones you choose do not work. But taking pictures of the area you are trying to match is a good start to limiting the need for that.

Go click!

Specially-Designed Barstools from Rich's for the Home

Rich’s for the Home has a multitude of great bar stools available made of both wood and metal. It wasn’t too long ago that woods were very big in interior home design. More recent home designs still have wooden floors, but more metal in kitchens, etc. I find the metal bar stools from Rich’s for the Home to be both elegant and functional. And yes, some even blend the wood and metal elements.

 

Since bar counters often border on a kitchen and another room, it can be a challenge to decide what to make the bar stools a part of, as far as coordinating design. Many homes blend their design when rooms are open and right next to each other but not all of them do. And ideally of course, the bar stools should pull in elements from both rooms. 

 

So when there is a question, I think you should blend the bar stools with the room that the bar stools face—usually the kitchen. Think of it as a picture. When people gather and sit and face the kitchen—it means the kitchen is the picture—not the room behind the bar stools. It just works better that way.

 

If you can’t find what you want, Rich’s for the Home can actually design bar stools for you! I know—isn’t that the coolest thing? This is really a handy option for picky people like me. If you would like to design your own or have Rich’s assistance with this, feel free to call your nearest store or visit them today.

(Pictures 1-4 are bar stools made by Pacific and available from Rich's for the Home)

The Care and Feeding of Barstools

If your barstools are put away for the winter, you can skip this post. If however, you have indoor barstools or some outside still, you should consider taking a few minutes with them a few times each year so that they last longer and so that everyone who sits on them is safe.

 

CLEANING

1. For leather barstools, clean with a damp cloth. Now is a good time of year to add a little leather conditioner to the seats.

2. Vinyl can also be cleaned with a damp cloth as can plastic. When in doubt, check with manufacturer.

3. Take off any fabric coverings on the cushions and wash them. Make sure you check the label first. They are also easy to re-cover if the fabric needs changed out.

4. If cushions are removable, do so and clean underneath them.

5. Any wood can be wiped down with a wood polish for conditioning and gleam.

 

MAINTENANCE

1. Check all nuts and bolts to insure that nothing is loose and fancy-free.

2. If barstools swivel, swivel them around a few times to make sure they go smoothly. If not, or if they squeak, they may need oiled.

3. Check the feet on the bottom of the barstool legs for any loose pieces. Tighten if needed.

4. Wiggle the legs of the barstool and tighten if needed.

5. Wiggle the back and bars of the barstool and tighten if needed.

6. Finally, pick up the full barstool via the seat and wiggle to see if the seat needs tightening.

Stacking Your Barstools

How to stack with ease:

~Choose a design that stacks well.

~Insure that your storage area is tall enough to place stacks in. Consider lockable storage if not in use all the time.

~Consider help from another person and/or a dolly. Height of barstools can be tricky and wheels will ease movement.

~Consider material for your barstools that will not scratch easily as when you stack, they will rub against each other.

~Consider folding barstools for ease in storage and less wear from stacking.

~Watch for other furniture and people anytime when lifting something and moving it.

~Watch for objects, walls, etc. at the end of the stool when lifting as the end you are holding can injure you if pushed.

~Practice safe lifting-bend your knees so the weight is on your knees and not your back.

Four-Legged Perch

"Four legs on the floor!" I announced, yet again, to my tween. He loves to sit in the bar stools, and then lean back on the back two legs, using the table as leverage. I try to remember that I also enjoyed doing that as a kid but as an adult and a mother, I can’t help but wince as I think of both the safety issues and wear on the bar stool when I see my own following in my footsteps. I guess I’m getting old!

An essential component for entertaining is sitting options for you and your guests and bar stools from Rich’s are ideal to meet this need. They offer a perching opportunity for both socialization and rest and come in a large variety of types and styles.

Here are the top four things to consider before purchasing your bar stools:

1. What style best fits the décor in area? Options from Rich’s include modern, stainless, country, designer, traditional, 50’s, American, French, Contemporary, Antique, Mission, Colonial and Pub.
2. When and where will they be used? Inside or outside? If outside in a cold or wet climate, you should consider storage options to prevent damage when not in use.
3. What is your climate like if they will be outside? If you are here in the Northwest, rain must be taken into account. If you are in a warm area, potential sun damage should also be considered.
4. How they will be used and with what table or bar? Various types of stools include Counter Stools, Bar Stools, Extra Tall Stools, Stacking Stools, Outdoor Stools, Swivels, Backless, Stools with Arms and Folding Stools.

Do you have a certain type of bar stool that you would recommend? If so, please comment and let us know.

Swivel and Sit

When I was young, my grandmother had unique chairs in her living room that I’ve yet to see anywhere else. They were round, upholstered chairs with backs, and they swiveled at 360 degrees. Well, you guessed our fun in life. When allowed, my brothers and I would go there first (after greeting Grandma) and spin away. We would brace our feet on the nearby brick from the fireplace as leverage and our little dachshund would bark away at us as we spun. Until the adults broke up the fun, of course.

As an adult, I see why my grandma placed them where she did. Faced one direction they were a part of the living room and faced the other, part of the dining area. The parameter of movement is a benefit of swivel stools and swivel barstools can feature this same function.

A swivel barstool from Rich’s allows ease of access. Instead of pulling it out from under the bar/table/counter to sit down, one can swivel and sit. Anyone with back/leg/knee pain will thank you for that. And it makes it easy to turn and face another person while talking as well.

Be aware that swivel stools do not make the best perch if using them to change light bulbs, reach a high shelf, etc. I recommend (from experience) that you get a safe step-stool instead.