They come in all different shapes and sizes…. it can be hard to know which height, style or material is perfect for your island bench. No matter what your island bench looks like there is a perfect stool unique to you and your space!
The options can seem endless with so many beautiful furniture suppliers out there, both in Australia and internationally! Well as always we are hear to help!
In today’s blog we will be going over some of our essentials when it comes to making the right selection, from materials to height. Hopefully this equips you with the right tips to consider when you’re choosing your next stool!
CORRECT HEIGHT IS ESSENTIAL
Ever sit on a seat and think… something doesn’t feel right? The height of your seats is one of the most important parts in ensuring you are comfortable at your island bench. When purchasing your stools, its important to remember that heights vary from bar height to counter height. Bar height stools are the higher of the two which typically have a seat height of around 800mm, whereas the counter heights sit around a 650mm seat height and it is crazy how much difference 200 – 300mm can make!
So be sure that you know what height you need for your bench height to create a comfortable seating space in your kitchen.
CREATING A STYLE RELATIONSHIP
Many island benches have a bench top overhang that allows seating to tuck nicely underneath. Stools can be an ideal seating option as they don’t occupy too much space and will sit seamlessly within most kitchens. So if you have an island bench with dedicated seating space, it would be a shame to not utilize this area for the injection of style that it can be! Your stool selections is where you have the opportunity to add a furnishings layer to the design!!
Often there are two ways you can go with this selections – a) choose a piece which seats cohesively within the space by drawing out colours or materials which link the chair to the built elements in the design. Just as we have done in our Redland Bay Residence, opting for tan leather stools which draw from the rich tones of the timber floating bench feature. Or alternatively b) select a stool which completely contrasts the kitchen through colour and/or material! So who’s to say you can’t have some fun with it?! Picking a bold upholstered piece to sit against a monochrome palette, or rich coloured leather to justapose against your timber.
BALANCE THROUGH QUANTITY
The amount of stools you need with vary from person to person, depending on the number of people living in your space, what other seating areas you have in your home and how much space your island bench allows for. It’s important not to overcrowd your island bench with seating as your seating must fit your island bench with ease, allowing for efficient space around and considering any nearby thoroughfares. When it comes to exactly how many, some believe there is a lucky number and although most often opt for odd quantities we believe each space is unique! It’s more about working out the usable space you have and how many stools can sit there before things get too busy.
So whether it’s 3, 4 or 5, it’s all about balancing the built elements with the furniture elements.
SELECTING THE PERFECT MATERIAL
Upholstered? Timber? Steel?
Have you gone with more seating around your island rather than a typical dining space? If you know you will be using your bench seating most if not all of the time, it can always good to go with an upholstered finish for that extra level of comfort! Upholstered seats add a lovely softness to the room and contrast solid built elements typically used around island benches. Or do you have kids and need to mess proof the house? In this case a polypropylene could be a great option as it is highly durable and stain proof, while the molded form hosts great ergonomics. A single material finish such as all timber can also be a great way to add texture and warmth to your island bench whilst keeping it simple enough to sit seamlessly within the design of the kitchen.
A great place to start when it comes to narrowing down your material is to take ques from the materials featured in the space – just as you can see in our Gordon Park Residence where the materiality of the chairs links directly to the rattan feature pendant.
