Careful measurement is recommended to ensure that your bar stools meet the height requirements necessary for comfortable seating at a counter or bar. For standard bars ranging in height from 40 to 44 inches, a 30-inch-high stool is needed. If your counter measures between 34 and 38 inches high, look for stools that are between 24 and 26 inches high.
The bar stools of the '50s were often fastened to the floor for ease of cleaning and ready accessibility. Seating customers side by side made ordering and serving easier for patrons and staff alike. A common footrail ran along the base of the bar for stationary stools, or movable models were fitted with individual ringed footrests for customer comfort. Most stools were swiveled so that patrons could be seated close together but could enter and exit with minimal disruption.
Stools were often backless, so padded seats were needed to keep the customers comfortable enough to enjoy a drink or simple meal. Most stools were covered with vinyl, making them durable and easy to keep clean. Chrome-plated steel bases gave the stools of the '50s a shiny, clean appearance and the ability to stand up to daily physical stresses and wear and tear.
Stools to outfit your '50s-themed room are available online from several web-based vendors. Some suppliers offer product-themed upholstery that was often used in the '50s to advertise the beverages that might have been offered. Other options might include double-ringed footrests and stools with padded backs. Check your area for furniture, big-box or nostalgia stores that might stock the stools and counter you need to take you back to the '50s in style.