I believe that 24 inch bar stools are a fairly modern development in the area of bar stools. Historically, there were only 30 inch bar stools. The 30 inch bar stool dates back hundreds of years. The standard height was set based on sitting at old English style pubs. When I first got into the bar design business all of the stools were generally standardized. They were the same heights, and for the most part one of only a few styles and designs. You would walk into just about any pub and not be able to tell them apart if you only had the bar stools to go by. Now there are hundreds of different types of bar stools that are manufactured and commercially available.
There are two standard heights for bar stools these days. There are 24 inch bar stools and 30 inch bar stools. The 30" bar stools are generally limited to commercial use while both the 24 inch and 30 inch bar stools are found in residential settings. Spanning the different heights are a variety of other factors such as use of material and upholstering, fixed or swivel seats, color, etc.
Historically, the use of bar stools in private homes was generally limited to basement family rooms or possibly the main floor at the edge of a large living room. Often if used on the main floor the bars were portable. Those stools used in the basement tended to be wooden and were stained a natural color. The whole concept was to recreate an old English pub in your basement and these bars needed pub style bar stools. Those stools found in the more formal areas of the residence tended to be made out of chrome or resin. All of these older style bar stools were designed for use by adults. The stools were invariably 30" high to suit a standard 42 inch bar.
In the mid-90s kitchen renovations were really becoming popular. Kitchen renovation shows were popping up on TV. New glossy kitchen renovation magazines were being launched. It was beginning to dawn on people that the kitchen was an integral and very important part of the family home. Today kitchens are still about function but they are also about style and lifestyle. Today, it is all about granite counters, stainless appliances, cappuccino makers, marble back splashes, and breakfast bars and breakfast bar stools. Breakfast bar stools are generally 24 inch bar stools.
The idea of the purpose of a kitchen changed radically. A kitchen wasn't just about making food or doing the dishes. A kitchen became a place to enjoy family time. This concept came to fruition just as we all realized a bigger kitchen with more counter space was needed if the food preparation and clean up was to be shared with other activities. The breakfast bar became the ideal place to read the paper or do homework.
There are a number of good reasons the 24" bar stool was created. Not the least of which was that the older taller chairs seemed too big for the kitchen. However, likely the most important reason was child safety. If children were to use these stools then the standard height stools were simply too high and posed a danger to children. The shorter 24" bar stool was perfect as it blended into the kitchen and was safe for use by children. - 30543
There are two standard heights for bar stools these days. There are 24 inch bar stools and 30 inch bar stools. The 30" bar stools are generally limited to commercial use while both the 24 inch and 30 inch bar stools are found in residential settings. Spanning the different heights are a variety of other factors such as use of material and upholstering, fixed or swivel seats, color, etc.
Historically, the use of bar stools in private homes was generally limited to basement family rooms or possibly the main floor at the edge of a large living room. Often if used on the main floor the bars were portable. Those stools used in the basement tended to be wooden and were stained a natural color. The whole concept was to recreate an old English pub in your basement and these bars needed pub style bar stools. Those stools found in the more formal areas of the residence tended to be made out of chrome or resin. All of these older style bar stools were designed for use by adults. The stools were invariably 30" high to suit a standard 42 inch bar.
In the mid-90s kitchen renovations were really becoming popular. Kitchen renovation shows were popping up on TV. New glossy kitchen renovation magazines were being launched. It was beginning to dawn on people that the kitchen was an integral and very important part of the family home. Today kitchens are still about function but they are also about style and lifestyle. Today, it is all about granite counters, stainless appliances, cappuccino makers, marble back splashes, and breakfast bars and breakfast bar stools. Breakfast bar stools are generally 24 inch bar stools.
The idea of the purpose of a kitchen changed radically. A kitchen wasn't just about making food or doing the dishes. A kitchen became a place to enjoy family time. This concept came to fruition just as we all realized a bigger kitchen with more counter space was needed if the food preparation and clean up was to be shared with other activities. The breakfast bar became the ideal place to read the paper or do homework.
There are a number of good reasons the 24" bar stool was created. Not the least of which was that the older taller chairs seemed too big for the kitchen. However, likely the most important reason was child safety. If children were to use these stools then the standard height stools were simply too high and posed a danger to children. The shorter 24" bar stool was perfect as it blended into the kitchen and was safe for use by children. - 30543
