When you’re shopping for stools for your home, you’ll likely run into two terms: counter height bar stool and bar height bar stool. If they’re both bar stools, how big is the height difference? If you choose the wrong size, you may end up slouching down at the counter or straining to reach the bar.

This swiveling bar stool creates conversation all around. It comes in a dark espresso finish with plush upholstered seat backs and bottoms. View more bar stools.

Here’s all you need to know to understand the difference between counter height and bar height stools. Don’t forget to browse Fine Furniture San Diego­™ for a curated selection of bar stools and counter height chairs.

Counter Height Bar Stools

Counter height stools are designed to fit the average-sized kitchen counter. This is pretty clear from the name of the item, but what are the nitty-gritty details? How tall is a counter, and how tall should the stool be to fit it comfortably?

On average, a kitchen counter will measure between 34”-39” tall. To sit comfortably at a counter, your stool should measure roughly 10 inches below this. That means a counter height bar stool will measure between 24-29” top to bottom. This will give you enough space to sit cross-legged if you want. It also ensures that your torso is at the right height to eat or drink comfortably.

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Do you want to add organizational space to your home, but you’re not sure how? Maybe you already have plenty of bookshelves and storage bins, but you’re running out of floor and surface space to put them on. Where should you go from here?

Here are 10 helpful tips for adding more organizational space to your home, no matter its size. Think of how you apply these tips to organize your home this weekend.

This coffee table is functional with a lifting top to bring your tabletop close to you and has added storage directly below to keep your items neatly tucked away. Evans Lift Top Cocktail Table

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Handling Home Office Decor

Whether you’re an aspiring architect just out of college or an experienced professional, the home office is one of the most important parts of the home. Work seems less stressful if it’s being completed in a comfortable environment. Balancing style, cost, space management, and comfort can be difficult, but putting in some effort to visualize your ideal workspace can make a big difference in how much you’ll enjoy the end result.

Space is a Factor

If you don’t already know the exact dimensions of the room that is to become your home office, you should first take the time and note the measurements. Nothing is worse than buying a lot of office furniture, only to get home and realize that not all of it will fit. Know what you have to work with, then list the items you want to buy in a list in order of importance. Having both of these things in mind will help you make the right decisions when you begin purchasing.

This Porto Corner Desk can make a big difference in smaller rooms.

The modern or contemporary style of home design and interior decoration has become an increasingly popular topic in recent years. Some, however, might not know exactly what it means to have a “modern” style. Simply put, the aspects typically associated with the style accentuate simplicity, usefulness, and minimalism, all while giving the onlooker a sense that all of the separate parts come together, breathing refinement and genius.

Colors

While the “modern” style has been around for decades, there have been some slight changes in the evolution of color usage. Contemporary modern interior design focuses on stark contrasts of darks and lights, with highlights of loud color. Much like the concept of yin and yang, the contrasts add to each other to create balance.

Neutral colors can also be useful in floors, carpets and wall paints, but they shouldn’t be used for things like large sofas, which function more as “main attractions.”

This Black Pierre Sofa Set captures the eye with its bold black color against the white background; a staple of modern design.

Read our article on Basic Color Coordination here!

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CC0 Creative Commons via Pixabay

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of arranging one’s dwelling to promote the flow of life energy (chi). The feng shui philosophy supposes that inhabitants derive much of their personal chi from their surroundings. If the energy flow within the environment is enhanced, it will create positive energy within the inhabitants. Home and office transformations based on feng shui principles are said to make occupants more productive, creative, happy, and healthy.

The ancient Chinese recognized five main types of chi energy, each of which served to inspire a different response in occupants of a space. These various types of chi forces are named: tree, fire, earth, metal, and water. Much of these life forces enter a room from the external world, depending on the position of the sun and a building’s windows and doors.  Chi can also be introduced into a room in the form of objects and colors. Occupants can, thus, manipulate a space to inspire a certain frame of mind they hope to achieve.

Below is a chart that shows the five chi energies, how they can be brought into an office space, and the corresponding states of mind they may induce in occupants. It also displays which energy each chi supports or bolsters. Altering an office area in accordance with some of these feng shui principles may enhance a worker’s sense of contentedness and creativity, and, thus, render him or her more productive.

Chi Addition Chart

Just as a person can choose to add different types of chi energy to a space, he or she can also cancel out or diminish various chi energies. When one starts to factor in diminishment, feng shui principals can get kind of complicated. For instance, bringing in too much water chi is going to destroy the effects of fire chi, and it’s going to calm the effects of a metal chi. The chart below illustrates which chi forces cancel out or diminish other chi forces.
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