Coastal farmhouse style is the perfect marriage of breezy nautical elements and rustic farmhouse charm. This delightful blending of beachy and vintage designs creates a casual, welcoming look that is ideal for laid-back entertaining. When outfitting your coastal farmhouse bar or kitchen island with seating, bar stools are a natural choice. But with so many options on the market, it can be tricky to find the perfect coastal farmhouse bar stools to suit your space.
In this complete guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the ideal bar stools to complement your coastal farmhouse aesthetic. From determining the right height and size to selecting comfortable and durable materials, we will cover all the key factors that go into crafting a cohesive look that is equal parts seaside cottage and homey farmhouse.
Defining the Coastal Farmhouse Style
Blending Beachy and Rustic Elements
Coastal farmhouse style skillfully combines elements of traditional farmhouse decor with the casual elegance of coastal living. Farmhouse styles are characterized by vintage charm, with an emphasis on practicality, comfort, and natural materials. You’ll often see galvanized metals, whitewashed wood, and textured, distressed finishes. Coastal styles take inspiration from the sea, with a color palette of soft blues, tans, and whites. Natural fiber rugs, weathered driftwood, and subtle nautical motifs are hallmarks of the coastal aesthetic.
When these two styles join forces, the result is a soothing, welcoming look perfect for relaxed entertaining. Natural woods meet weathered whitewashes, woven sea grass blends with cozy textiles, and vintage touches mingle with subtle nautical accents. This harmonious blending allows you to create a space that feels lived-in, comfortable, and eternally summery.
The Look and Feel of Coastal Farmhouse
The coastal farmhouse look is casual, airy, and steeped in texture. The color palette tends to be light and neutral, with shades of white, tan, beige, pale blue, and weathered natural wood tones. You’ll see plenty of natural fibers like rattan, sea grass, jute and soft woven textures. The materials reflect the blending of coastal and farmhouse, with driftwood, rope accents, galvanized metals, and distressed woods.
Signature decorative touches include anchors, shells, and subtle nautical patterns. Aged surfaces like chippy paint and distressed wood add vintage charm. The overall feel is weathered, welcoming, and designed with relaxation in mind. This makes the coastal farmhouse aesthetic perfectly fitting for bar and kitchen areas meant for casual gathering and easygoing entertaining.
Choosing the Perfect Height and Size
Consider Your Counter Height
One of the most important factors in choosing comfortable and usable bar stools is getting the height right. You’ll want your stools to fit seamlessly up to your counter or bar height while also allowing enough leg room and overhang.
Standard kitchen counter heights range from 36-42 inches. For a 36″ counter, aim for bar stools around 24-27″ in height. A 40″ counter pairs well with 28-30″ stools, while a 42″ counter calls for bar stools 30-33″ in height. If your counters are an unusual height, measure first before selecting. For extra flexibility, choose adjustable height stools.
Pick the Right Seat Size
Bar stool seats generally range in diameter from 12 to 20 inches. Larger seat widths around 18-20 inches tend to be more comfortable for longer periods of sitting, but take up more space. More compact 12-15 inch seats can allow you to fit more stools around your counter or bar area. Consider how much space you have available to get the right balance of comfort and fit.
Also look at whether your desired stools have an overhang or clean counter fit. An overhang means the seat extends past the base, allowing you to tuck them under counters more easily. However, this does steal a bit of counter space. Clean counter fit stools save space with seats sized perfectly to the base.
Allow Enough Leg Room
It’s not just about seat height and width. You also need to account for enough leg room between your desired bar stools. Measure the space you have available and leave at least 10-14 inches between the center of each stool. Swiveling seats can help maximize leg room, allowing you to turn toward the counter while seated.
Also consider the base width of your stools. Bulky bases encroach on leg room more than slender tapered legs. Prioritize slender bar stool frames and seats to allow guests to sit comfortably side-by-side.
Selecting the Right Materials
Wood Types for a Coastal Farmhouse Look
Wood bar stools are a natural choice for the farmhouse elements of this style. To keep things coastal, stick to weathered whitewashed oak or ash wood tones. Unfinished light oak also pairs well with the coastal palette. Driftwood-inspired finishes add authenticity.
Reclaimed and salvaged woods like oak or acacia can provide charming patinas that instantly look coastal farmhouse. Just avoid woods like mahogany or teak that read more tropical or traditional.
No matter what wood you choose, aim for weathered, wom-in finishes that feel collected over time. Natural grain peeking through whitewashed surfaces helps reinforce the breezy style.
Weave in Natural Textures
While wood bases anchor coastal farmhouse bar stools, opt for woven or rattan seats to incorporate natural textures reminiscent of the sea. Abaca, water hyacinth and banana leaf weaves look stunning with their subtle organic patterns and provide comforting softness.
Steer clear of highly variegated wicker textures, which can read cluttered. Cleaner woven looks like sea grass and abaca result in a more tranquil vibe. Just be mindful of durability based on how much use your stools will see.
Metallic Accents
Touches of metal provide contrast to natural woods and textiles in coastal farmhouse designs. Matte silver, antiqued brass, and galvanized tin finishes allow you to incorporate metals seamlessly. Galvanized tin barstool bases or saddle seats provide vintage character and reinforce the farmhouse side of this look.
Use metal judiciously as accents, bases or leg details. Too much will make your space feel more industrial than coastal farmhouse. Aim for metals to make up no more than 30% of the overall design.
The Importance of Comfort
Cushioning and Padding
Since the farmhouse ethos prioritizes comfort, cushioning and padding are key factors for coastal farmhouse bar stools. Look for seat cushions at least 3 inches thick and dense enough to maintain their form over years of use.
Backless stools are common in kitchen counters and bars, but add a backrest for dining counters where you’ll sit for longer periods. Prioritize removable, washable cushion covers to keep things looking fresh.
Find the Right Seat Shape
The shape of your stool’s seat impacts overall comfort. Rounded barrel or bucket seat shapes allow for freedom of movement and provide lumbar support as you lean back. Contoured saddle seats offer ergonomic comfort with their curved form.
Flat or squared seats tend to be less forgiving for long stretches of sitting. However, some prefer the clean look and minimalism of flat seats from a design perspective. Ultimately, choose seats based on personal preference.
Test Out Swiveling
Swiveling capability makes reaching things and pivoting easier in kitchen and bar settings. However, since farmhouse style leans traditional, many farmhouse stools have fixed non-swiveling seats. If mobility matters, look for casters or swiveling mechanisms on the base.
Keep in mind that swivel functionality becomes less stable at taller bar stool heights. For standard 36″ counter height, swiveling and non-swiveling bases both work well. If your stools will be very tall, fixed non-swivel seats may provide better stability.
Achieving the Signature Coastal Farmhouse Look
Whitewashed Wood Finishes
Nothing says coastal farmhouse quite like whitewashed wood. The technique of washing wood with a white pigmented finish results in a weathered, beachy look when done right.Aim for multiple thin layers of whitewash rather than one heavy coat for the most natural effect.
Whites ranging from a rich bright white to weathered smokey grays work beautifully on coastal farmhouse bar stools. For a splash of color, try soft blue or green hues which align well with the coastal palette. Let the natural wood grain show through for contrast and texture.
Incorporate Subtle Nautical Touches
Infuse a dash of nautical spirit into your coastal farmhouse bar stools with thoughtful details. Jute rope wrapped around a stool’s legs adds artisanal texture while referencing ships. Antique brass anchor embossings or hardware provide a subtle maritime touch.
Use navy blue fabric accents in small doses – a pop of color on the seat back or stitched trim on neutral upholstery. Just take care not to go overboard on literal nautical themes or embellishments. The goal is understated, not kitschy or costume-like.
Weathered and Worn-In
Farmhouse styles rely on the beauty of natural materials aged over time. Recreate this effect when selecting coastal farmhouse stools by seeking out weathered, chippy finishes.
Unfinished teak or oak stools will develop a worn patina. Choose materials like abaca and rattan that gain character as they age. Avoid anything that looks too highly distressed, as too rustic a vibe will clash with the breezy coastal elements.
Where to Shop for the Perfect Stools
Finding the ideal bar stools to match your coastal farmhouse kitchen or entertaining area takes a bit of persistence. Look to leading online furniture retailers like Wayfair and Overstock, which offer vast inventories with plenty of coastal and farmhouse styles.
Specialized coastal and farmhouse decor sites like Serena and Lily or Shabby Chic Couture curate selections perfect for this look. For more unique vintage-inspired finds, browse local boutiques or family-owned furniture workshops.
When researching options, look for specific mentions of whitewashed woods, woven textures, and distressing in product descriptions. This helps narrow the field to stools designed to fit the coastal farmhouse aesthetic.
Choosing complementary bar stools is key to nailing this blended style. Mixing and matching helps reinforce the collected look central to coastal farmhouse decor. Consider pairing reclaimed driftwood stools with woven rattan seats, or try integrating galvanized farmhouse designs with lighter whitewashed stools.
Keep your existing color scheme and finishes in mind. If your coastal farmhouse kitchen features blue tile backsplash and brass hardware, bring in those hues through navy seats or metallic accents. Whatever your combo, ensure your stools coordinate in terms of finish, color family, and overall aesthetic.
When arranging your stools, position them to promote easy conversation. Allow enough leg room for seating to feel relaxed and comfortable. Complete the space with farmhouse lanterns overhead to cast a welcoming glow. With the right stools as your foundation, your coastal farmhouse bar area promises to be a favorite gathering place for years on end.
