Counter height stools are chairs that are purposely made a little taller than ordinary table chairs. They are usually placed along the kitchen counter and the kids can sit on them while grabbing a quick bite to eat before they dash off to school. But they are not only for the sole purpose of the kitchen some families even modify their own counter height stools to be used as temporary baby seats while the family is sitting down and having a meal together. These counter height stools can be used for a lot of purposes and depending on design or material they can easily blend in with the design of the home. Be it modern, contemporary or classical a good quality stool can be a chameleon but when the time comes for entertaining guests, it is always nice to have an extra chair in the house.
There are different kinds of counter heights chairs, there are chairs that differ in material, use, height, and even the ones that swivel and those that do not. The different kinds of material used are usually either wood or steel. Wood counter height stools are light and add a rustic appeal to the home. They are easy to clean and do not easily stain. Wood chairs may also have a swivel seat but they tend to break more often as wood, even after a thorough lacquering may still breathe and the screws that support the seat can corrode. Steel or stainless steel counter height stools are also lightweight and are used in some homes, they can be painted accordingly or there are different styles out in the market that can suit the style of your home. Stainless steel chairs do not corrode as easily but it does not tend to absorb shock well, as the foot of the chair may bend (not necessarily break) should it fall over. They also offer swivel seats for these counter height stainless steel chairs.
Most counter height stools usually have seats that are cushioned or upholstered in leather or synthetic leather. These are durable and need only minor repairs every few years, having a young one with a pair of scissors though is another matter. Most seats that do not have upholstery however, like most wood chairs, carve out a comfortable shape for seating. They are cured, carved and curved to the desired shape so that seating on them will be a relief and not a sore to the derriere.
Most counter height stools are available from 24 to 36 inches in height. It is suggested that you measure your counter top before going out to buy these stools so that they will be neither too short nor too high for you. Also, try to visualize what kind of stool would suit your kitchen as you would like them to complement and not stand out like a sore thumb. There are many uses for a counter height stool; you can use them as a step ladder when reaching for objects in high places in your home of kitchen.