Understanding the difference between bar and counter furniture is key to selecting pieces that suit your space and lifestyle. If you're not sure where to start, we're here to help.
With over 35 years of experience crafting beautiful outdoor furniture, we know a thing or two about bar-stool-height chairs, the benefits of taller dining options, the height of bar tables and chairs, and much more. Let us guide you through the nuances of these elevated styles. Explore our guide to make confident, informed shopping decisions—and browse a wide range of designs across all of our collections.
In This Article
What Is the Difference Between Bar Height and Counter Height Furniture?
Bar-Height Furniture
The tallest option of dining furniture available, bar tables typically stand between 40 and 42 inches tall, and bar-stool-height chairs range from 28 to 32 inches from floor to seat. For those searching for extra-extra-tall bar stools and tables for balconies, this is your best option.
Counter-Height Furniture
Counter furniture is slightly shorter—table heights measure 34–37 inches high, and their coordinating chairs stand around 24–27 inches tall. It's a great mid-range option for anyone seeking furniture for their outdoor kitchens or smaller dining areas.
The POLYWOOD Advantage: Enduring Style For Elevated Living
Crafted from Genuine POLYWOOD™ lumber, our bar and counter furniture will bring you season after season of lasting comfort and style—and we can prove it:
- Unrivaled Durability: Our lumber is engineered not to splinter, crack, chip, rot, or peel, ensuring years of safe and stable seating, even under heavy use. This is particularly important for bar-stool-height chairs, which bear more weight and stress.
- All-Weather Performance: Built to withstand the harshest conditions and climates, your POLYWOOD outdoor bar and counter furniture will stay beautiful and functional for the long haul.
- Fade-Resistant Colors: When creating our lumber, we blend in UV inhibitor compounds and other protectants. This locks in lasting color, meaning your black, white, or other colorful bar-stool-height chairs will stay vibrant season after season.
- Effortless Care: We did all the work so you don't have to. A little soap and water is all it takes to keep your furniture clean. Plus, you'll never need to paint, stain, or sand it—ever.
- Sustainable and Conscientious: We make our lumber from reusable plastics, which means it can be recycled in perpetuity. This reduces waste and promotes a healthier planet.
- Peace of Mind: All POLYWOOD products are backed by a 20-year residential lumber warranty, so you can be confident and comfortable in your investment.
Key Considerations for Bar and Counter Setups
Keep these factors in mind when deciding between bar-height and counter-height furniture:
- Space Type and Size: Bar-height sets stand tall, allowing you unobstructed views over balcony railings. Counter sets take up less floor space than dining sets, benefiting cozy alfresco areas.
- Existing Structures: If you have built-in outdoor kitchen counters, measuring their height will help you choose coordinating stools.
- Desired Atmosphere: Bar height promotes a casual, pub-like look, while counter height gives a more intimate feel similar to standard dining furniture.
- Comfort Preferences: Bar and counter stools give taller family members more legroom, but they may sit too high for children or individuals with mobility differences.
- Height Compatibility: Bar-stool-height chairs are too tall for counter tables and vice versa. Choosing incorrect furniture pairings can lead to smooshed thighs or difficulty reaching the tabletop, neither of which equates to a good dining experience.
Breaking Down Seating and Table Features
Compare bar and counter furniture design elements to determine the best fit for your lifestyle.
Chairs and Stools
- Back Design: Full-back options offer upper body support, while backless stools tuck neatly beneath tables for a space-saving, streamlined look.
- Seat Shape: Contoured styles cradle your hips and thighs, while flat seats bring a crisp, clean feel.
- Arm Options: Chairs with arms deliver extra comfort, while armless seats allow more elbow room.
- Movement Preferences: Stationary seats save precious space on small patios and decks, while swivel options add flexibility and easy movement, which is helpful for individuals with mobility concerns.
Tables
- Shape: Square and rectangular bar tables save space by fitting into corners or against walls, which is great for small decks and balconies. Round tables keep guests equidistant, allowing everyone to be part of the conversation.
- Size: The table should fit your space and leave enough room to walk by or pull out chairs, particularly when paired with extra-extra-tall bar stools.
- Seating Capacity: Consider how many people you typically entertain. Standard counter and bar tables seat two to four, but larger styles are available that can accommodate a crowd.
- Leg Style: Pedestal bases offer more legroom and flexible seating, trestle-style bases make it easier to slide stools underneath from all sides, while four-legged tables feel more stable on uneven surfaces.
POLYWOOD Bar and Counter Furniture Collections
Explore all of our available bar and counter designs to find styles that suit your space and taste.
Vineyard
Great for hosts who enjoy both fine dining and casual entertaining.
Elevate your alfresco dining space with bar- and counter-height furniture from our Vineyard Collection, featuring classic styles in a wide range of sizes and arrangements that serve as a blank canvas for inspired outdoor entertaining.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Chinoiserie
Great for serving elegant style and enduring comfort daily.
Brought to you in collaboration with America's favorite lifestyle and entertaining expert, bar and counter furniture from our Chinoiserie Collection is made to be treasured and passed down through the generations.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Braxton
Great for giving your outdoor dining room a refined-rustic refresh.
Braxton's bar and counter seating and sets offer a fresh twist on farmhouse style with their clean lines, curved profiles, and charming X-back designs.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Cottage
Great for imbuing a space with that cozy, home-sweet-home feeling.
The first of two collections brought to you in partnership with Country Living, Cottage bar and counter selections offer maximum style with minimal effort to keep up their good looks. The chairs' back slats and curved top rails offer timeless appeal, while the well-placed seat contours keep everyone comfortably content through the last round and final course.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Lakeside
Great for achieving laid-back, weekend-at-the-lake-house vibes.
This collection is the real deal with enduring styles at our most comfortable prices. Designed to be foundational pieces, these no-frill bar and counter sets are made to last, from first apartments to forever homes.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Nautical
Great for styling a marina-inspired dining space for the whole crew.
With two bar seating styles to choose from, this collection excels at versatility. The curveback Adirondack chairs (also available with swivel bases) offer casual staycation vibes, while the standard seats shine with their built-in handles, signature curved headboards, and linger-worthy recline.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
La Casa Café
Great for bringing an open-air bistro feel to your backyard.
Our La Casa Café Collection takes outdoor entertaining to a new level of sophistication. From happy hours to game nights, these bar and counter sets can keep up with their curved contours, chic style, and hardworking durability.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Signature
Great for simplifying outdoor dining and bar design.
Options abound with our Signature Collection, a suite of versatile designs that suit any decor or occasion. Choose from one of the preconfigured sets or design your own with the bar-height chairs and your favorite POLYWOOD table.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Coastal
Great for styling a resort-inspired look that's sure to make a splash.
Seas the day (or your next brunch event) with bar and counter furniture from our Coastal Collection. The chairs feature durable lumber frames and all-weather sling seats.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Chippendale
Great for adding quiet refinement to garden parties and weekend brunch.
Inspired by 18th-century pieces from England, our timeless Chippendale Collection shines with a subtle sophistication that's always in style. For ease, opt for a preconfigured set, or play designer by pairing bar or counter seating with a coordinating table.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Traditional Garden
Great for inviting classic beauty and timeless charm into your space.
Our Traditional Garden Collection blends seamlessly with any outdoor setting. This bar and counter seating is available in both arm chair and side chair styles that you can mix and match to your heart's content.
Photo credit: POLYWOOD customer Jonathan, May 2023
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
EDGE
Great for bringing sleek style to your alfresco spaces.
Our EDGE Collection offers a wide selection of bar and counter seating and tables featuring modern designs, clean lines, and minimal details. These pieces are available in a range of warm and cool neutral tones, with optional color enhancements in the chairs’ performance sling styles.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Modern Adirondack
Great for inviting minimalist style and laid-back designs to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The bar and counter styles from this best-selling collection reimagine the iconic Adirondack design in clean, symmetrical lines. Equal parts elevated and easygoing, they’re ideal for all your entertaining needs, from post-dinner happy hours to Sunday morning meals.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Modern Studio
Great for bringing comfort to cozy apartment balconies.
Add polish to petite patios and upper deck dinners with Modern Studio’s bar and counter designs. These all-weather styles deliver sharp, clean looks in space-saving footprints.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Savannah
Great for spreading Southern hospitality into your alfresco aesthetic.
Created in partnership with Southern lifestyle brand Draper James, this exclusive collection offers bar and counter styles with timeless beauty and charm. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to invite you and your favorite folks together outside.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Wovendale
Great for serving up rustic charm with a refined twist.
The second collection in our partnership with Country Living, Wovendale’s bar and counter furniture helps you discover joy in your alfresco spaces and invites loved ones to make new memories together.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Classic Adirondack
Great for enjoying an iconic design from a new point of view.
Invite everyone's favorite outdoor seat to the table with bar and counter furniture from our Classic Adirondack Collection. Sitting at an unexpectedly tall height, the bar chair maintains its familiar form and signature laid-back appeal, and the reclined backrest and wide arms are great for lingering over another round.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Palm Coast
Great for bringing a taste of the tropics to any outdoor entertaining space.
With chic Adirondack seating in several color options, our Palm Coast Collection always hits the spot. Designed with comfy contours, you and your guests can savor meals, sunsets, and late-night hangs in complete comfort.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Captain
Great for striking an easy balance of form and function.
Crafted for lasting durability, our Captain Collection features sleek lines and sturdy ladder-back frames, a balanced style that sets the course for beautiful, functional outdoor living.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
South Beach
Great for sun-kissed rooftop bars or lively poolside patios.
Inspired by long days and balmy nights, the Adirondack-style seating from our South Beach Collection nods to Miami's art deco design with shell-style backrests.
Bar and Counter Furniture
Mission
Great for infusing dining settings with simple yet striking style.
Mission bar and counter designs are clean-cut takes on Craftsman style, with simplified lines for a tasteful look that still makes a statement. Built to bring comfort to company, these styles are made for gathering, grilling, and good conversations.
Photo credit: POLYWOOD customer Ali W., June 2024
Bar and Counter Furniture
Studio
Great for maximizing narrow layouts for a cozy place to enjoy the scenery and time together.
Comfortable and compact, Studio’s bar and counter tables are designed to seat two on one side—perfect for enjoying the view from high-rise balconies and rooftop terraces.
Bar and Counter Furniture
Quattro
Great for mixing modern design and casual elements into your mealtime motifs.
These bar designs’ smooth contours and supportive silhouettes are made for season after season of unhurried meals and impromptu happy hours.
Bar-Height Furniture
Long Island
Great for putting an elegant spin on the laid-back Adirondack look.
Our Long Island Collection brings the Hamptons' effortless elegance to your space, creating an elevated getaway ambiance.
Counter-Height Furniture
Bar and Counter Stools
Great for taking your alfresco aesthetic to new heights.
These counter- and bar-stool-height chairs keep it classic with curved seats, splayed legs, and versatile neutral or vibrant single- and two-tone color options. Designed to endure the elements and exceed your entertaining expectations, they’re dependable seating for slow sips and long conversations.
Bar and Counter Furniture
Counter and Bar Tables
Great for anchoring your alfresco spaces with elevated focal points.
We crafted counter and bar tables in a range of shapes and sizes to suit any setup and pair perfectly with seating from all of our collections. Resistant to harsh weather, wine spills, and sauce stains, these designs meet all the demands of outdoor entertaining year after year.
Bar-Height Furniture
Counter-Height Furniture
Accessories
Great for putting the finishing touches on your dream outdoor dining destination.
Stay cool on sunny days with our bar-height umbrellas, and add comfort with outdoor pillows and seat cushions hand-sewn from performance fabrics that stand up to life’s little messes.
Accessories
Elevate Your Outdoor Living Today!
Choosing between bar-height and counter-height furniture depends on your style, space, and how you envision enjoying your outdoor area. With POLYWOOD, you're not just choosing a height; you're choosing unparalleled durability, year-round convenience, and a commitment to a healthier planet.