Counter Height Dining Sets: the Romans, the Saxons, and Your Decor

What's in your dining area?

It's hard to believe that counter height dining sets can be traced to the Romans and the Saxons, but it's true in an evolutionary sense. When the Romans conquered Britain in 43 A.D., they brought with them their expertise in road-building. The roadway system encouraged the Saxons to travel; travelers needed a place to sleep and eat. And so public houses sprung up to meet the needs of the time. Public houses--pubs--pub tables--you get the idea. Pubs were run out of personal homes. Space was tight, so smaller, higher tables were introduced to accommodatec visitors in a limited area .

Along the same lines in France, bistros arose from rental properties in which the owners would serve their tenants meals in the basement. Again, small space, lots of people. Smaller tables on higher frames could accommodate more folks. They could even eat standing up so they wouldn't linger too long. Are you getting the idea of where the counter height dining concept came from?

If you're changing your home dining area, setting up a game room or deciding what to do with your backyard entertaining spot, take the time to consider counter height dining sets as a way to save space and money, and add a touch of cozy, old-world flavor to your decor.
Counter height dining sets, also known as bistro tables or pub tables, are a delightful way to transform an eating area into a designer statement in your home. They come in rich wood or painted finishes as well as metal frames. They even come in wrought iron for backyard or pool-side use. They also have a variety of tops including solid wood, glass, marble or ceramic tile.

Let's talk about the dimensions of counter height dining sets. Standard dining tables are between 27" and 30" high (68.6 cm to 76.2 cm), with chairs between 18" to 20" (45.7 cm to 50.8 cm) off the ground. Counter height dining sets, as the name implies, are counter high--in the U.S.A, that means 36" (91.4 cm). Stools range from 24" to 26" (61 cm to 66 cm). (European counters may vary in height because of the use of adjustable hardware for cabinets and the like.)

You can get different round-top diameters if that's what your space allows. Or, you can get different dimensions for a square top or a rectangular top. There are also half-moon or even triangular top designs to choose from. Tradition speaks to smaller measurements, but you can actually find full dining room-sized counter height dining sets.

Bar tables and stools are sometimes confused with counter height dining sets and pub or bistro tables, but they're actually a little higher. Bar tables can be between 40" and 42" (101.6 cm to 106.7 cm) off the ground. Their stools are between 30" and 32" (76.2 cm and 81.3 cm).

So, in your search for the right counter height dining set, it's better to know what dimensions you want or need. As you can see above, the heights and measurements have ranges, so there's not a hard set rule--which is what makes them such fun. Be careful, though, because some stores use the terms counter height, pub, bistro and bar interchangeably so you may be thinking one thing and they're talking about another. Again, it's best to know what dimensions, color, shape, etc., you want and need before you go surfing the web.

A retired friend was furnishing his new house when he ran into a real space issue. Picture this open floor plan: the living room to the north, the galley kitchen to the south, a newly-added doorway to the east (which was where the dining table used to be), and double-exterior doors to the west. The only space he had was a 4' (121.9 cm) wall segment between the new doorway and the living room transition strip.

Enter a 40" wide (101.6 cm) counter height dining set. He purchased one for $400.00 that had four stools that fit neatly under the table when not in use, which was necessary given his space restrictions. Also, it had a table top that folded in half to 20" (50.8 cm) if he needed more space. It was an awesome find!

Hopefully you're getting the idea of the choices available in counter height dining sets. The other great thing about them is that they tend to be more economical than a standard dining set. Some are listed for as little as under $200.00. That includes two chairs. Of course, if you want, you can you invest more. You can get some really nice sets between $300 and $500.

As for seating, you can get chairs, stools, or even benches with counter height dining sets, depending on your want or need. The rule of thumb is this: your stool should be about 12" (30.5 cm) below the surface top. This is especially important if the table top has an overhang. You want to make sure you have room to move your legs under the table. Pick a seat too high and your thighs will be pressing against the underside of the table.

The other thing great about counter height dining sets is that since the seats are higher, it's easier to get up and down from them. This is particularly appreciated if you have back problems and have trouble getting up from low angles. Plus, they're not too high for kids to use them, too.

So, if you're re-doing your dining area, setting up a game room, or if you're sprucing up your outdoor entertainment area, take the time to shop for counter height dining sets. They have tons design options, they save space, and they're more economical in many cases than standard dining sets. Whichever style and finish you choose, it will add a look to your home that is priceless.