24 " Bar Stools

24 " bar stools are becoming very popular bar stool option.

Historically all bar stools were a standard 30" height. These are the typical stools found in pubs and bars. In general the older 30" bar stools were made of a dark stained hardwood. There wasn't a lot of variation amongst the older models. Some bar stools had spindle back rests and some had swivel seats but that was generally the extent of the variations.

As bar stools made the transition from commercial use to residential use, more variety was introduced. The biggest change was likely in the height of the stool. Designers and manufacturers decided to introduce a shorter 24" bar stool to the marketplace. The popularity of this shorter barstool was enormous. In my opinion there were two main reasons the 24" barstool is so popular and they are:

1. Accessibility: Unless you were really tall the older 30" bar stools required a bit of a jump to get on and off . Small children found it impossible to get on the older and taller models. The taller barstools actually posed a danger to children who attempted to climb on them. When a child stood on the rungs and tried to pull themselves up onto the seat on their stomachs, the stools could lose balance and tumble on top of the child. Children and taller barstools do not mix. The taller bar stools were also inaccessible to older folk who might have mobility problems. The 24 inch bar stools are much more accessible for children and adults with mobility limitations.

2. Visual impact: The older and taller bar stools are big and take up a big space. I found that they were often visually obtrusive. The shorter barstools have a slightly smaller base of support and visually take up less space. The 24" stools can fit into smaller spaces and not look all jammed in. Kitchen bar stools are often this height. A backless bar stool also helps create an airier feel to a space.

With the advent of the smaller 24" inch barstool came an enormous amount of variation in design, materials, and finishes. The shorter bar stool quickly became commonly purchased residential furniture and therefore quickly became available in a wide range of models. The stools are available in wood, metal, plastic, and resin. The stools are often upholstered in fabrics or colors that match the other furniture in the room. The is an enormous amount of variation amongst these more modern bar stools.

The newer 24" bar stools took the stool out of the bar and into the home.