Rush Seat Bar Stools

Emily Hilton Interior Design Expert

Emily is a young, talented designer, whose professional interests gravitate towards kitchen and dining spaces. She prides herself on her attention to detail, obsession with functionality, and appreciation for craftsmanship.

Updated 25/04/2021

Getting away from the traditional bar stools, rush seat bar stools are a nice way to give yourself and your guests a more comfortable bar stool experience. They are sturdy, well made, and designed with the finest attention to craftsmanship in mind. You will love seeing these attractive bar stools in your home. If you are in the market for some new bar stools, see collection for all our options.

Buying Guide

Rush seat bar stools come with a unique look, which makes them very appealing to a lot of people. A rush seat is an old type of art, but it's still trendy even to this day. In fact, due to the demand, the industry has spawned several varieties.

As a shopper, the abundance of choices is a good thing, but it also brings confusion. This is especially true if you don't know what to look for in a rush seat bar stool. To make the task more enjoyable, this article is going to be a rush seat bar stool buying guide.

How to determine the right height for bar stools?

A bar stool is different compared to a sofa or regular chair. Hence, the height requirements are also different. This might sound surprising, but the most critical measurement is the height of the bar or counter. Below are the basic guidelines for the right stool height in relation to the bar or counter height.

If the bar or table height is:

35 inches to 37 inches (typical height of a counter) - The right stool height would be 23 inches to 28 inches.
41 inches to 43 inches (typical height of bar tables) - A stool that's between 29 inches to 32 inches is advisable.
44 inches to 47 inches (typical height of extra high bar tables) - You'd want the bar stool height to be 33 inches to 36 inches.

What are the typical sizes of rush seat bar stools?

Most stools come in three sizes. There's the 15-inch, 17-inch, and 21-inch diameter stools. Generally, the bigger the diameter, the better. Since the larger size will consume more space, you also need to consider how many stools you'd want to place.

What types of weaving are used in rush seat bar stools?

Since you are buying a rush seat bar stool, the primary material of the weave will play a significant factor especially when it comes to the cost and durability.

Cattail Rush - This is the "genuine" weaving material for a rush seat. It also goes by the name of bullrush. Manufacturing the cattail rush takes a lot of resources. Hence, a genuine rush is typically costlier. On the upside, you'll have something that is authentic and very durable.
Seagrass - This one looks very similar to a cattail rush. And, it's less labor intensive compared to the genuine cattail rush which requires a lot of hand-twisting. Hence, this material looks genuine and economical.
Paper Rush - As the name suggests, the weaving material is crafted mainly from paper. It's perhaps the cheapest choice. On the other hand, it's less durable than seagrass and cattail rush.
Synthetic - Although far from being genuine, a synthetic weaving material comes with its own unique look and appeal. It's also durable and relatively cheap. Hence, it's an option that you should not discount.

There are other factors that you may need to consider when purchasing rush seat bar stools like budget and style. Feel free to further refine your choices by considering other factors. However, the height, the diameter, and the weaving material have a significant impact on how the stool performs. Hence, never forget these factors.