I'm looking at getting a "counter height" dining room set. Any opinions?

Question

Also, I'm interested to know if I would I be able to use the stools interchangably at my 41" counter or if they would be too low?

Answer 1

How coincidental!
We were looking for a similar situation and went to Home Depot and there a saleslady showed us what other people did with a little work on your part or you may have to hire a carpenter.
Anyway, she suggested putting together a group of cabinets back to back and putting a counter top on them. The cabinets already have the toe plate and everything. There would be just a little finishing of the counter top. The cabinets are the type that are under your kitchen counter top. The measurements were just right. Some details that I can't recall may need a carpenter or a handyman.
Good luck
John

Answer 2

My only opinion from my experience is they are very cute but if you will be entertaining or dining with elderly or "slower getting around" people or really overweight people then it's not going to be comfortable for them. When I waitressed there was no end to my fustration when the host would seat these people at the "counter height" tables. They often hestitate to speak up about their discomfort and sometimes are genuinely frightened to sit up that high.

My friend put some really cute "counter height" seating in her livingroom to encourage her husband not to eat on the couch but he could still view television while eating--didn't work he still sits on the couch and eats.

Test the height by make-shifting your new seats by putting stuff on top of any chair you have to bring it to the height of the "counter height" seating you will be getting and test it at the 41" counter. Take into consideration the size of the person--is it yourself who will be sitting there, children? large men? this makes a difference. The bigger person will need more knee room, so a lower chair. The children will do well with less knee room so a hight chair will work. My 31" barseats work well at the 42" counter but are a tad too high for me at the 37" island--but for the kids (6 to 9 years old) they are perfect height at the 37" island. Basically I think you need about 10" space between the top the the seat and the tabletop. that's my guess. good luck and have fun!!!

Answer 3

I bought a counter height dining table a couple of months ago, love it! Except, I only have four chairs that height. If I have friends over we have to sit at another table, which is a bummer sometimes. Someone told me I would get bored with this table quickly, not true. Also, My dogs hate it, They can't jump up on my lap for bites.