Soda Fountain Stool

Buying Guide

Ah the vibrant 50s! Drive-ins, poodle skirts, color TVs, the King of Rock Roll and of course, the soda fountain. There’s no better symbol of the American Bandstand than the soda fountain. It was about friends, fun, malts, sundaes, rock music and an endless supply of fizzy drinks. But somewhere down the line, it became deeply ingrained into the pop culture of the era. Did we stir some retro nostalgia? Soda fountains have that effect on people.

The good news is that you can convert just about any part of your house into a 50’s styled old soda shop with soda fountain stools. These are the classic, mushroom-styled (we like to call them that) stools that made the drinks and the meals a lot comfier in diners and pubs. When paired with your bar counter or even your kitchen island, it offers an extremely aesthetic and functional seating surface. One that can blend into any existing décor theme.

If this is the first time you are shopping for soda fountain stools, then here are some of the key factors that you must consider.

What size soda fountain stools should you get?

Where do you plan to place the soda fountain stool? If it’s a bar counter, then you need a stool that’s 30 inches high because standard-sized bar counters are 42-inches high. This leaves about 12-inches of clearance for the knees.

Kitchen islands, on the other hand, are 36-inches high. The ideal stool height for a kitchen island is 24-inches. The kitchen island stool is also the perfect height for gaming rooms, basements, and bedrooms.

Height adjustable soda fountain stools feature a telescopic pedestal mechanism which allows you to adjust the height from 18-30 inches. These are better suited for a household with kids.

What are the design features of soda fountain stools?

Soda fountain stools have an unassuming, minimalistic design. Typically, it’s a backless and armless round seat with a pedestal base. It may or may not have an integrated footrest.

Some soda fountain stools also feature a swivel mechanism. There are some modern interpretations of this design which feature backrests and armrests. But if you are looking for a classic, then go for the simple one.

Due to the lack of armrests and backrests, the soda fountain stools normally had plush cushions that were at least 3-4 inches thick. Leather was the most popular upholstery material used in the 50s.

What is the best upholstery for a soda fountain stool?

If you are aiming for an authentic retro style, then go for full-grain leather upholstery. It is soft to the touch, hard to wear and very forgiving on liquid spills.
Pick leather in vibrant colors like red, yellow and purple and pair it with a chrome finished pedestal for the perfect soda fountain shop look.
If you are looking for something that’s gentler on the pockets, then vinyl offers almost all the features of leather at less than half the price.

What are soda fountain stool bases made of?

The pedestal or the base of the stool plays an equally important part in determining the aesthetics.

Most modern day reproductions have metallic bases in a shiny chrome finish. But that’s not the only style that the soda fountain stool is associated with.
Old diners and bistros had stools with porcelain bases. The use of metal if any, was limited to the frames.
Wrought iron bases add an antique, rustic feel to the décor.
Bar stools in the art déco period used bronze and copper casts for the bases.

Select a design that matches the overall tone of the décor. For best results, pair the stools with a soda fountain-styled bar counter.