The concept of the “expanded” kitchen that has gained ground during the last few years offers a wealth of options for an imaginative rethink of the furniture layout. For example, the new spaces happily accommodate interesting alternatives to traditional seating. We mean the standard chairs around the kitchen table, where family meals are eaten. But nowadays this is not all people do in the kitchen: lots of people use them every day for a pre-dinner drink with friends or a quick snack together, and with this in mind they add casual “corners” with kitchen stools of more and more attractive design.
Anyone with a kitchen that includes an island is well aware of it: apart from making space for hobs and sinks (if equipped) or handy storage for pots and pans, these modules can also serve as “bar counters”, where people can sit even just to chat with the person doing the cooking. One or two high stools are ideal for this purpose: just make sure there is enough legroom if there are storage units underneath the counter.
Those who like the idea of a snack corner but don’t have enough space for an island, or even a peninsula, can always use a piece of wall or empty niche within the room; fitting a wall-mounted top, perhaps with a set of shelves above it, is a great idea, and it can always be combined with kitchen stools, just like an island. Here again, leaving enough legroom is important, but there is more freedom when it comes to choosing the height of the top than in the previous case.
Even within the classical style, design becomes simpler and reflects a new way of conceiving and using even a kitchen with more traditional lines.
Preferably in wood, in delicate colours and with upholstered or straw seats, stools become an excellent solution, even for more classical kitchens.
Both country and traditional styles may also include an island or peninsula in the kitchen/living area, to be completed with stools in which wood predominates.
