Buying Outdoor Bar Stools

November 25, 2009 at 1:41 pm (Uncategorized)
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Can I buy outdoor bar stools?  The answer is yes.  There are now bar stools on the market that are specifically designed to be used outdoors and left outdoors.

Outdoor bar stools can be made from a number of different types of materials including wicker, wicker resin, cast aluminum, cast iron and wood.  I will deal with each type of material separately.

Outdoor wicker furniture is classic and lovely.  It always reminds me of sitting on my grandmother’s wrap around porch.  Wicker bar stools, although a fairly new to the market, still have that classic old world charm.  Most outdoor wicker bar stools are painted white.  Wicker furniture can last for decades but needs annual care.  If you want outdoor wicker furniture then you must also consider buying some good quality outdoor furniture covers.

Bar stools that appear wicker but are made from resin are also very popular.  Resin wicker furniture has gained a lot of popularity over the past 3 or 4 years and for good reason.  This material looks great and is very durable.  I love this material as I think it has a very exotic feel to it.  Add some gauze curtains and a pitcher of ice tea and you could be on the set of Out of Africa. Resin wicker bar stools are hot.

Outdoor metal bar stools are also very popular.  Generally these metal bar stools are either made from cast aluminum or cast iron..  The draw back to cast iron bar stools are that they are expensive and they are incredibly heavy to move.  However they are durable and can be repainted to look like new over many decades.  Cast aluminum outdoor bar stools are inexpensive, light weight and easy to move.  However, cast aluminum is less durable than cast iron and can break.  Once a cast aluminum chair or table has broken, it is impossible to fix.

Outdoor wooden bar stools are also an excellent choice.  For those that can handle the price tag, outdoor teak bar stools are simply lovely.  Teak is the wood that is used on sailboats for the hatch and handles etc.  It can withstand sun, salt and water and will not rot.  Teak needs to be cared for regularly and, absent excellent outdoor furniture covers, will need to be sanded and refinished every few years.  Cedar is similar.  Cedar bar stools will gradually change from the a lovely reddish yellow color to a dignified silvery gray as it is exposed to the elements.  If you don’t want your outdoor bar stools to change color you will have to apply a protective coat of sealer when they are new.  Regardless of the color, cedar will not rot and stands up to rain and snow.  Cheap outdoor wooden bar stools are made out of less expensive and less durable wood.  I have a lovely set of outdoor patio furniture that is made from pine but stained to look teak.  It has held up very well for me and I even leave the entire set of table and 4 chairs outside every winter.  The key to maintaining the furniture in good shape is to do some annual or bi-annual maintenance. The same would go for outdoor wooden bar stools that are made from a wood that is not teak or cedar.

Adding outdoor bar stools to your outdoor decorating scheme will add a little spice to your decor.  Whether the bar stools be wicker or metal or wooden.  Each material type has distinct advantages and disadvantages.  Furthermore, each type of material gives the bar stool a different feel.  Think about the feeling and setting you wish to create before you purchase your outdoor bar stools.

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Cheap Bar Stools

November 24, 2009 at 3:28 pm (Uncategorized)
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Yes, it is possible to find cheap bar stools.  Actually, it is pretty easy to find cheap bar stools that are also good looking and well made.  A good place to start is the internet.  A quick internet search for cheap bar stools or discount bar stools will result in thousands of results.  For those people who are still uncomfortable buying items off the internet will still be rewarded with an excellent research resource.

From your internet search you will be able to collect dozens of images that appeal to your sense of style and taste.  You will also learn about the vast myriad of bar stool varieties.  There are backless bar stools, swivel bar stools, leather bar stools, bar stools on a single post and the list goes on.  The internet is also an excellent place to get a good idea of bar stools costs.  From the privacy of your own home, you can choose the type of bar stool that suits your needs and know approximately what it might cost to purchase said stools.

It’s also a good idea to visit the web sites of various large vendors in your area.  These vendors include stores like Ikea and Sears.  Often these large stores will not rank very high on the internet search and therefore might be missed.  Most stores have their entire catalog online so you will be able to see most everything they offer.

After you are satisfied with the research you have done on the internet, take a half day and go to visit different store show rooms.  Often stores will have sales that are not advertised on the internet.  You very well may stumble across a sale on cheap bar stools.  Also visiting the stores gives you a chance to try out different types of bar stools.  Some stools look great but can be awfully uncomfortable to sit on for any period of time.

The key to finding cheap bar stools is to not be in a hurry.  Take your time and search thoroughly.  Be prepared to abandon your search, if need be, and to resume the search 4 or 5 weeks later.  Inventories change and specials change so be patient and wait for the best deal to present itself.

Remember it is possible to find a great deal.  You don’t need to compromise on quality either.  It is possible to find an excellent quality bar stool that fits your budget and decor.  Cheap bar stools do exist.

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When to Consider Backless Bar Stools?

November 23, 2009 at 10:11 pm (Uncategorized)
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There are a few times when it makes perfect sense to buy backless bar stools.

Backless bar stools are smaller and lighter than regular bar stools.  The size of such a stool gives it a less cluttered and lighter feel than a stool with a back and arms.  This is important if you are placing the stool in a place that is restricted as to size.  If the stool is too large for the location, you will achieve an unwanted cluttered feeling.  Also, this type of stool conveniently tucks away under the bar when not in use.  They are also easier to move (because they are lighter) when cleaning.

Bar stools without backs are marginally narrower than ones with backs and arms.  The general rule of thumb is that 4 backless bar stools can comfortably fit in the same space as three stools with full backs and arms.  If you have 3 children and you want them all to be at the breakfast bar at the same time then you might consider backless bar stools.

There is also a price difference between the two different types of stool.  Often a store will have the exact same stool in a backless and backed model.  You will invariably find that the backless bar stool is less expensive.  The cost difference just makes sense as there is less material in the backless version and less labor was required to build the same. The costs are even less if you buy a fixed seat backless bar stool.

All of the aforementioned could almost be seen as reasons that backless versions are preferable.  However, the backless versions do have a major drawback.  These stools are less comfortable.  If you are looking for comfort you should likely only consider buying bar stools with a full back.  Back support is very important to comfort levels.  Without having a full back, you will notice that your guests are starting to fidget and wiggle.  Backless bar stools are good for only short periods of time.  They make for perfect seating at a breakfast bar as the time it takes to eat breakfast is limited in duration.  They are a less than perfect options for longer, more leisurely, meals.

As you can see from the above, there are clearly times when backless bar stools are the optimum choice in bar stool.  However, there are times when this choice would not be suitable.  think carefully about where you wish to place your new bar stools.  Carefully consider the size of the space.  Also carefully consider the “comfort factor”.  think about the duration of the average seating.  No matter how young and fit you are  good back support is always appreciated.  There may well be times when backless bar stools are the perfect answer but there are other times when they are not the perfect seating solution.

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Bar Stools

November 23, 2009 at 9:12 pm (Uncategorized)
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Make a splash!  Include some bar stools in your new decorating scheme.  Bar stools are hot this year.  We have been seeing them at home shows all across the country.  Bar Stools with small bistro sets, bar stools for a breakfast bar, bar stools for the home bar just to name a few.  Artists and musicians are ordering single bar stools from which they can play music or paint.  Residential bar stools are hot.

Commercial bar stools is where you see the most innovation each year.  This is where you see things like croc leather, silicon, and chrome used in funky ways.  There are always some new crazy-ass bar stool designs introduced to the commercial market.  After a few years, these cutting edge stool designs begin to get knocked off and they then make an appearance on the residential markets.  The real difference between the commercial markets and the residential markets being price.  The commercial markets can handle the costs of custom design.  The residential markets better handle the costs of mass produced products.

Bar stools come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  With some searching there will be bar stools that suit every decor and every budget.  There are two general bar stool heights.  The standard bar stool has a seat that is 30 inches off the floor.  This is the original bar stool found in the old English Pubs.  For centuries this was the only bar stool made.  In the past few decades, we have seen the introduction of a shorter 24 inch bar stool.  These shorter bar stools are primarily designed for lower kitchen bars.  The shorter bar and bar stool still has the same feel but the height is better suited for use by children and those people with mobility issues.

Below is a partial list of some of the bar stool variations that exist.  These variations are as common across 24 inch bar stools as they are across 30 inch bar stools.  Before shopping for a set of bar stools think about the following possible options.

1. There are backless bar stools, bar stools with full backs, and bar stools with a half back.  Some stools have backs with arms and without arms.

2. There are bar stools with swivel seats and bar stools with fixed position seats. Swivel seat bar stools are very popular but more expensive.

3. These stools can be made from all sorts of different materials such has wood, metal, resin, hard plastic or combination of one of the aforementioned plus leather or fabric.

4. Some stools have an adjustable seat. Adjustable seat bar stools are good for those who want to use the stool while working at an easel or drafting table.

5. Hard seat and soft seat stools are both equally common.

6. There are outdoor bar stools as well as indoor varieties.

As you can see from the above paragraphs, there are literally 100s of different types of bar stools on the market.  There are pros and cons related to each of the above factors.  There is not one perfect bar stool but there are a lot of excellent stools on the market.  Think carefully about your needs and the needs of your family and guests.  Think about your space restrictions.  Bar stools take up a larger amount of vertical airspace.  If your quarters are tight, you might want to consider a backless bar stool to maintain an uncluttered look.  There are many options to choose from.  Take your time when looking for a set of bar stools that best suits your needs.

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