The Evolution Of A Barstool

2008-09-30 Word Count: 552 Category: Interior Design

Over the years, barstools have taken an expanding role in furniture. No longer are the days of the common household, run-of-the-mill barstool. Designers have reinvented this piece of furniture to what some may call a work of art.

If you look at a barstool, what are some things you may notice? For one, you may see it made out of either wood or metal. For another, it may have a backrest, though most do not. You may also notice a footrest. But what sets the stool apart from other common seating furniture? The answer, put simply, is its height. A barstool's seat height can range from anywhere from 26" to 36, " the most common measurement being 30".

Why are barstools popping up in homes across the nation? Barstools, like any other piece of furniture, can say a lot about a person's home or business establishment. Unlike any other piece of furniture, stools are relatively small in size allowing owners to say what they want to say even if given a small amount of space.

Before we take a look at what's new and exciting in the world of stool design, let's flash back to stool designs that are better left alone. Retro stools are popular and wonderful, but we're not talking about those kinds of stools. No. We're talking about the kind you find at Grandma's house- you know, the ones with the plastic wrap still on them? They seem to come in a standard form with little varying. Namely, they are made out of wood and they have neutral-colored cotton fabric upholstery. This used to be the norm in homes across America. What did those stools say about their owners? Not much, at least, not much of anything good.

Moving on to the positive, let's look at some of the designs currently available on the market and what they might say about the person who purchases them. Take the LEM piston stool, for example. This stool is simple in design and is flexible in its height. The LEM Piston Stool can tell the viewer that its owner values simplicity and multi-functionality. Now lets take a look at another design, called the Bertoia Wire Barstool. Like it says in its name, this stool's main feature boasts of an interconnected lattice of silver metal. A wide pillow placed on the seat provides the stool's padding. This stool emanates its roots in the modern movement. Though it doesn't have a piston to adjust its height, this stool may still fit the owner just right. One may derive that whoever purchases this stool values the finer things in life with a zest for freshness.

Want to spice up a room? Well, if you've been reading this far, you should know by now that barstools are the new way to go.

Which stool is right for me? Think of the things that you want said about you. Do you like things simple or do you have a taste for flare? Do you want to tap into the modern world of furniture or do you want to rock it out with retro?

Whatever you decide, know that even the most unassuming piece of furniture can leave a lasting impression.

This free Interior Design article is brought to you by http://www.articlevista.com