Month: February 2020

It’s hard to name a gathering that doesn’t involve food. From hosting Thanksgiving dinner to inviting the girls over for wine and gossip, there always seems to be a reason to be in the kitchen. Whether you’re chatting away together while preparing a big meal or just grabbing a casual snack, the kitchen is the place to be when entertaining.

Because of this, kitchen islands have become one of the hottest trends in kitchen designs over the past several years. Since they’ve become such a major focal point in the home, the islands have gotten bigger with more room for seating. Whether it’s a place your kids do their homework after school or a casual seating option for when you’re dining alone, it’s important to select the right chairs for your island. Here are three things to consider when matching the right chairs to your island.

Your Design Aesthetic

You’ll want your kitchen island chairs to match the overall tone of your decor’s vibe. If you’ve got a lot of classic, clean lines, you may want to try chairs with metal frames. For a darker, heavier style, wood chairs might suit you better. Also keep in mind the color of the metal or wood, as well as any upholstery you may include and stitching or buttons that accent the chair’s fabric.

How They’ll Be Used

If you will be frequently using the kitchen island chairs, consider more comfortable, upholstered options. However, if your chairs will be tucked underneath the island to save space, backless chairs will work well to keep the visual clutter to a minimum. For a kitchen that fully wraps around the island or an island that stands between the kitchen and dining or living room area in an open concept floor plan, chairs that swivel are a nice option so your seated guests can take full advantage of their surroundings. For an outdoor kitchen with an island, you’ll want durable chairs that can withstand sun, rain and wind, without showing signs of aging.

Your Island Style

Simple, single level kitchen islands are often primarily used for cooking with occasional dining or entertaining. Kitchen islands with two levels allow for the appropriate counter height for cooking on one side, but an elevated level on the opposite side for dining and entertaining guests. For chairs that suit this higher level, consider 34″ kitchen island chairs. These will help to elevate the guests seated on one side of the island so they have a better view without disrupting the flow of the kitchen.

Visit California Stools, Bars and Dinettes!

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, we invite you to stop by our San Jose or Pleasant Hill locations to view our kitchen island stools. We can help you make the perfect selection and have them delivered right to your door!

With a new decade comes new and updated trends, especially in interior design and home furnishings. If you’re looking to spruce up your space, you may need a few inspired ideas for your home.

Dining and kitchen furniture are always evolving and becoming more stylish and functional to make a house feel more like home, while also reflecting your personal style.

Below are a few of our favorite trends for your kitchen and dining space this year that will remain in style even beyond 2020.

Large Statement Dining Tables

With homeowners putting much of their savings into building their dream home, this leaves them wanting to spend more time at home and less time spending money dining out. Family dinners and dinner parties with friends means that you need a great space for entertaining. Don’t skimp on a small table; large dining tables seating six or more people in a dining room are coming back in style for quality time at home.

Mismatched Chairs

Although this isn’t a new trend, it’s one that will never go out of style. Pick up different styles and colors of chairs in similar heights and sizes for your dining room seating. Not only does this give you more bang for the buck, it also makes your dining space pop with an eclectic and distinct space that is truly yours.

Bold Monochrome Rooms

Monochrome is really having its moment right now and can look great in your kitchen and dining spaces. Aligning the colors of your walls, artwork, tables and chairs within the room can make this space stand out in a way that is not only beautiful, but also photographable. Instead of gray on gray or tons of tan like we’ve seen in the past, the newer monochrome trend tends towards bolder colors. Think cobalt blue, mustard yellow or hunter green.

Combine the Old With the New

Who says that you can only entirely decorate with antiques or all new furniture store-bought styles? Mixing old pieces from local shops with newly purchased pieces helps to showcase your individual style with statement pieces. Try finding an antique sideboard to pair with your dining room table, chairs and bench for a modern farmhouse feel.

Bring the Outdoors Indoors

Hanging plants, living walls and other big potted plants belong in your common spaces, especially in kitchens and dining areas. Some of our favorite beautiful and low-maintenance indoor plants are Ficus trees, the Spider Plant, Pothos plant, Philodendron, and of course the easiest of all if you live in a dry climate, cacti and succulents. Plus, studies show that feeling more connected to nature and greenery sparks more creativity, so get those plants in your kitchen and start creating new recipes in your kitchen!