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In today’s fast-paced world, it’s often difficult to get everyone to sit down in the dining room together. This has led to a more casual dinner experience for many families. If this describes your style, you might be wondering what type of furniture to get for your space. There are many options, and what’s right for you will depend on your typical mealtime routine. Here are three dining furniture options you might consider and some details about what type of lifestyle or living space is best for each.

Pub Table

Pub tables are often referred to as bar tables because they are the same height as tables you sit at when you sit in the bar area of a restaurant. They are 42″ high, compared to standard dining tables that are 28″ to 30″. These can be a great choice for outdoor patio seating, a small nook in the kitchen, or for those who are taller and require more leg room when seated. Keep in mind that you’ll also need bar height chairs or stools to match the height of your table! Nobody wants to be trying to eat their dinner at shoulder height!

Kitchen Table

The classic choice for most families is a full-size kitchen table. These often seat four to six, though many styles can be expanded as your family grows or when you have guests over. Although often thought of for a formal dining room, a kitchen table can also be a more casual option, especially since they are often used for more than just eating! These can be used in the kitchen itself, or to make the dining room into a more casual space if that happens to be your style preference. Finish the look with a rug underneath the table or a fabulous centerpiece on top to celebrate the seasons.

Dinette Set

A dinette set is the ideal choice for a small home because they tend to take up less space than the more traditional kitchen table. These often seat two to four people, so they are perfect for couples or small families. You can often find a dinette set in a corner of the kitchen for quick meals, or on a deck or patio for dining al fresco. Due to their smaller size, they tend to work well for casual environments which makes them the ideal choice for kitchen seating instead of a formal dining room.

Find Your Perfect Dining Furniture Today!

California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes has a wide selection of different styles of dining furniture. No matter your lifestyle or the size of your living space, we can help you find the perfect solution. We have two Bay Area locations: San Jose and Pleasant Hill. You can also shop online to start getting ideas! If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, feel free to stop in, give us a call, or send a message online and we can guide you through the selection process to find the perfect pieces for your home!

The dining room is an important area of your home since it’s one you use every day. From eating a meal with family, to doing the kid’s homework, or sharing a drink with guests, it’s second only to the kitchen! Make the time in your dining room more enjoyable by bringing in a new dining set or dining room chairs. Even if you’re not an interior design pro, you can still make it look classy and comfortable by mixing and matching different pieces to get a whole new look. Here are a few of our top tips for making sure your dining room brings you joy and not frustration every time you use it.

1. Try Bench Seating on One Side

Bench seating has become a popular trend for dining sets over the past few years thanks to the resurgence of the rustic and farmhouse style aesthetic. It tends to feature standard dining room chairs at the heads of the table and along one side, with a bench on the other. This is ideal for large families, especially those with school-aged children, because it allows you to seat more people at the table than with standard seating. A side of the table that would normally fit two or three people, can now fit four or more.

2. Consider Upholstered Head Chairs

It’s your house, and your table, so why not make your seat a priority? Consider adding upholstered dining room chairs to the heads of the table, while the other chairs remain more simple. This brings a level of class to your dining room without making it seem too formal thanks to the contrast of the simpler chairs in the middle. You also don’t have too worry about crowding your dining room with eight large, upholstered chairs or trying to fit them all around a table meant for six. You can still look sophisticated in a smaller space.

3. Mix Modern with Vintage Styles

The trick to mixing modern and vintage styles of furniture is all about the materials. When mixing and matching from different eras, pay attention to the details. Do they both have wooden legs? Are they in the same color palette? Are they both minimalist or ornate? Also consider the silhouettes. If one chair is thick, short, and heavy, it might not match well with something that is lighter, taller, and more leggy. Finding common ground between the two pieces is how to make them look classy together, not crazy.

4. Find Your Perfect Dining Room Set with Us!

Is it time to upgrade your dining room? You’ve come to the right place! Shop with California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes for a wide selection of dining room chairs and dining sets to match any style. We have two convenient locations in San Jose and Pleasant Hill, or you can shop online and contact us with any questions! If you need help making the right selection, please don’t hesitate to ask! We love helping our customers design the perfect rooms for their homes.

With people spending so much time at home these days, it can be a little hectic. Your spouse needs help with the chores, and your kids are asking for help with homework. When all that’s done, we know that guys may need their own space to retreat to for a little R&R at the end of the day. Here are some of our best tips for designing the perfect man cave for you.

1.  Design for Your Interests

The best part about this space is that your man cave can be completely customized to you. Do you love movies? Install a giant movie screen, projector, and plenty of comfy seating. Do you want somewhere to go for peace and quiet? Sound-proof the walls and maybe store some headphones. Do you like to have a drink while you watch sports? Build a home bar with bar stools and pub tables in front of the big screen TV.

2.  Make a Statement

Whether the space is just for you or you plan to invite guests over, build a statement piece that will make anyone say “wow!” right when they walk in. You might choose an elegantly designed bar with backlighting to highlight all the best drink choices, an aquarium wall swimming with colorful fish, or a well-lit display of your rare baseball cards from childhood hanging on the wall. Whatever it is, make it personal to you and make it amazing.

3.  Choose the Best Textures

The man cave is just for you, so you want to make sure you choose materials that are comfortable for you. Maybe you like the sleek look of shiny, laquered wall units and rich leather. Maybe you want a soft and cozy microfiber couch for endless hours of binge-watching. Maybe you like the feeling of outdoors and want a lot of exposed wood pieces. Whatever makes you feel the most relaxed and comfortable is the right choice.

4.  Get the Right Lighting

You’ll probably get up to a variety of activities in your man cave. From watching a movie to playing cards with friends. Consider how you’ll most frequently use the room and install the lighting to match. Dimmer switches are a great choice because you can go from light to dark for any activity. Add pendant lighting above the pool table to easily line up your next shot. Bring a floor lamp over your favorite arm chair for some quiet reading time.

5.  Shop with California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes!

One of the easiest choices to make when creating the perfect man cave is to select your furniture from the wide variety of options at California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes! No matter what your personal taste preferences are, we’ve got the right furniture for you. Start your design inspiration by shopping online or come visit us in one of our stores! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and get you set up for the perfect place to relax and get away from it all.

 

Getting married is incredibly exciting but many people are choosing to delay this big life event for a variety of reasons. This means they also are more likely to already have plenty of furniture on their own, and then when you combine that with your new spouse, you may be thinking that you need to get rid of some, not add it to your registry! Although that may be true for you, there are still a few reasons to include furniture on your wedding registry.

1.  Something Special

The gift of furniture may seem like a practical and emotionless choice, but it can actually be quite the opposite! When you consider that dining room sets will get used every day by you and your spouse (and maybe some little ones in the future!), it will be a constant reminder of the love and care you receive from the person who gifted it to you.

2.  Time to Upgrade

Throughout college and your early years in your first apartment or starter home, you likely collected a lot of hand-me-down, thrift store, or just plain cheap furniture. Your wedding registry is the perfect time to upgrade to higher quality pieces! Consider picking out bar stools that actually match or pub tables that don’t wobble when you set a glass of water on them!

3.  Ideal for Group Gifts

Furniture can quickly get expensive, so you might think it’s not appropriate to put on your wedding registry. On the contrary, it can make the perfect gift for a group of people to go in on together! Something like kitchen sets, bedroom sets, or other higher-priced items can be the ideal option for your aunts and uncles, cousins, or work friends to each chip in on together.

4.  Will Last Forever – Just Like Your Love!

The furniture you bought in college or got from a family member probably wasn’t meant to last you forever. When you start a new life together, what better way to symbolize your love than a sideboard that will grace your entry way for decades to come?! High-quality furniture is a great investment in your home because of its longevity.

5.  Decorate New Spaces

Your first apartment likely didn’t have a home bar, but now that you’re older and can afford more, this might be an option to consider! Add some bistro tables to the area to really make it cozy and you’ll have a fun new place to share a happy hour drink with your spouse.

Build Your Wedding Registry with Us

At California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes, we feature a wide variety of high-quality furniture pieces that you can add to your wedding registry. Shop online today or visit us in-store to see the options We can help you build a registry and make it easy for your guests to shop, no matter where they’re located. Call us in San Jose at 408-294-7353 or in Pleasant Hill at 925-825-6888 with any questions!

 

A barstool is a tall chair crafted with a footrest supporting your feet, their height and narrowness make them suited for use in bars, pubs, or at home in the kitchen/ bar zone. The history of barstool can be traced back in the 20th century. During the early days, a barstool was designed to accommodate more people at the commercial bars at a lower cost.

While there have been numerous styles and types of the barstool, there are only three designs. Are you wondering how these designs have evolved? Stay put. This article is designed to inform you how various barstool designs have evolved and their functions.

Three Designs of the Barstool

1. The barstool with a seat at the base only

It is the earliest form of furniture to be invented. During the Roman Empire, barstools were the primary seat people used in their daily lives at home and in a social gathering. While a stool in the West was used for commoners, it served as a royal seat in several kingdoms in Africa. In Ghana, the golden stool of the Asantehene is an excellent example.

Functions

• It served as a seat for commoners in the West
• In Africa, it was commonly used by the royal family
• It was used at home and in commercial gatherings

2. A barstool with a seat as the base with a low back

Are you wondering which is the best barstool for your bar area at home? A barstool with a seat at the base and a low back is the way to go. It is an advancement of the seat only stool. The purpose of the low back is to offer support and comfort. It exhibits the modern chair but retains the traditional touch of a stool. It is an advancement of the traditional stool that has a seat only. While furnishing your home’s bar area, this design of a barstool is the best choice for you. While the earliest form of a chair was only limited to various places, this kind of barstool is more profound and offers both traditional and modern taste.

While pub tables and stools have always been tall, stools have shown great changes in terms of additional features and material.

Functions

• At home: It’s the best choice for your bar zone at home. It will offer support and comfort for relaxing after a tiresome day.
• At the pub: In a public pub, this kind of stool is the best option as they occupy less space while offering a great experience to the customers.

3. A barstool with a seat at the base, low back, and short arms

Are you wondering about the best kitchen stool for your lovely home? Worry not. This design of a barstool may be the best choice for you. While the previous designs can still be used as kitchen stools, a barstool with a low back and short arms is the more commonly preferred for comfort.

Functions

• It is commonly used in the kitchen at home
• It can also serve as a barstool at home or in a pub or a public bar

These designs are the most noticeable evolution of a barstool. Pub tables and stools are usually of the same color tone. Today, these designs can be made of wood, metal, or plastic. However, for durability purposes, it is recommended to go for wood or metallic ones.

 

When you need new kitchen furniture for your home, having kids around means you’ll need to make this decision carefully. From safety concerns to spills and stains, there are different factors to consider while you weigh your options. The following tips can help you choose the best kid-friendly furniture for your kitchen.

Choose Materials That Are Easy to Clean and Maintain

Kids can accidentally spill milk, juice, and other beverages on your new kitchen table or chairs, so it’s important to choose furniture that’s easy to clean and maintain. Otherwise, you could end up with unsightly stains on your new kitchen furniture.

When choosing kitchen tables, consider the material they’re made from. With wood tables, you’ll need to quickly clean spills and stains, so they don’t set in or cause moisture damage. These tables can also end up with chips and other signs of damage, which mars their appearance. Having a finish on your wood table can help protect it from stains, spills, and other damage, although you might need to refinish it from time to time.

Kitchen sets with laminate tables might be a better option for homes with kids. Laminate tables are typically easier to clean than other materials, and they don’t require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking as good as new over the years.

When choosing chairs or stools, you might want to avoid upholstered ones. Upholstered chairs and stools can be harder to clean if kids spill juice, sauce, or other foods or beverages on them. With bare chairs or stools, you don’t have to worry about stains and spills setting in as much. You can always place removable cushions on them for added comfort if needed.

Consider Safety Concerns

Your new kitchen furniture should be safe for kids to use, whether they’re sitting at the kitchen table for a family meal or perched on a stool at your kitchen island. While you’re comparing options for kitchen chairs, tables, and stools, keep safety concerns in mind. For example, choose chairs or stools that are sturdy and won’t easily tip over, such as ones made from metal or wood.

When you’re choosing kitchen stools, opt for ones that have a back on them rather than backless models. Stools with a back provide kids with some extra support while sitting, which can help reduce the risk of falls.

While chairs and stools that swivel might be fun for kids to sit on, they could make it easier for younger kids to fall. If you have older kids, swivel stools and chairs for your kitchen can provide a safe seating option. However, you might want to avoid choosing this type of chair or stool if you have younger kids that are fidgety.

If you’re ready to start choosing kid-friendly kitchen furniture, visit one of our San Francisco area locations in San Jose or Pleasant Hill. At California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes, you’ll find a wide selection of high-quality kitchen sets for your home.

Breakfast nooks became an architectural feature of many homes during the early 20th century. In a 1923 edition of the Woman’s Weekly Supplement, “nooks” were said to be “perfect for housewives who did not have servants”. The location near the kitchen meant the housewife could enjoy breakfast with the family while remaining close to the kitchen. How times have changed!

Today, breakfast nooks are designed for casual dining. They aren’t just used for breakfast. These nooks can be multi-purpose, serving as a child’s play area or a homework station. They are comfortable spaces that encourage conversation and calm the chaos of hectic mornings. Breakfast nooks are a great space to show off your decorating style.

Built-in Benches

The original nooks were designed with built-in seating, usually two benches on each side of a rectangular table. If the nook included a bay window, a window seat was added for booth-like seating.  Benches had hinged tops for added storage. These spaces were ideal for organizing children’s toys or rarely used items. In the early 1920s, even the table was built in. With today’s choices of kitchen tables in all shapes and sizes, there’s no need to restrict your style. You may decide to go from a 1950s diner to a French-country motif with a change of bench coverings and a kitchen table.

Bistro Tables

Nothing says relax like a bistro table. Whether it’s a morning cup of coffee or an evening glass of wine, the intimate environment of a bistro set makes for an enjoyable start or finish to your day. Bistro tables aren’t just those shown in French cafes. They can be made of materials such as glass or wood. They can be square or round. Some bistro tables are drop-leaf to fit nicely into smaller spaces.

Although windows were a part of the original design, breakfast nooks can be just as cheerful with the right lighting and colorful focal points. Floating shelves with hand-painted pottery can brighten any space.  No space is too small for the right bistro table.

Kitchen Sets

From the beginning, breakfast nooks have been used for casual family dining. It was simpler to set the table and serve meals with a dining space closer to the kitchen. As life became more hectic, the breakfast nook became a home’s gathering place.

Today’s kitchen sets can be incorporated into breakfast nooks, making them extremely versatile. They come in a variety of sizes, with seating from four to eight or more. An expandable kitchen set means not only having the right size for daily dining but also having room for those unexpected guests. With styles ranging from traditional to modern, kitchen sets can fit any decor.

Breakfast nooks like kitchens often serve as the heart of a home. That’s why finding the right furnishings is an essential part of creating a space that reflects your style. Whether you’re looking for a traditional kitchen set or a sleek bistro table, we have the kitchen furniture you’re looking for at our two Bay Area locations.

With the birth of the open concept, the dining room appeared to fade into the rearview mirror; however, there has been a resurgence of the importance of the dining room table in 2020. Much of this has been driven by the pandemic, which has forced many people to spend more time at home. As people were looking for a way to entertain, the dining table became a popular option. With the dining room making a resurgence in 2020, how is it going to be changed? What should people expect? There are a few key tips to keep in mind.

The Dining Room Table Is a Place of Entertainment

First, the dining room is seen as a place to entertain. While this might involve meals, this could also mean a place to sit down, talk, play games, and more. The dining rooms should reflect this placement of entertainment to the best degree possible. Therefore, people should try to make sure they add extra seats around the table. This means thinking about expandable dining rooms sets that include leaves, extra chairs, and more. In addition, dining room tables will have to be more durable. Nobody wants to be the host that is worried about a small spill here or there!

A Versatile Dining Room Table Is Better

Of course, the dining room table should be able to handle a meal; however, it should also be so much more than that. The dining room table will be asked to be the jack of all trades. In addition to a place for meals, the dining room table may have to perform triple duty! This is a place for people to do arts and crafts. The family will want to come together to play games at the dining room table. Kids will be doing their homework on the dining room table. Therefore, a durable wood or laminate dining room set with a table that can handle these tasks will be important. The addition of a comfy chair will make the perfect dining room set!

Formality and Structure Are Trends of the Past

Finally, many people have dining room tables that reflect a formal structure that has long since passed. While these are solid tables that might still find use today, it is better to find a dining room table that has a flexible style that can go with just about anything. Rolling dining room chairs, barstools, and even loveseats are not unusual in the dining room today. Some people even pull up log benches to the dining room table. Formality is simply a structure of the past. Today, many people are looking for dining rooms that are flexible and malleable because they feel more inviting. This is going to be a defining feature of the dining room table in 2020 and beyond.

Find the Right Dining Room Table

These are just a few of the ways that the dining room table is making a resurgence in 2020. If you are looking for the right dining room table for your building, visit California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes today!

As summer has arrived, many people are looking for ways to make an outdoor bar on the patio. The good news is that even in the era of social distancing, there are ways to bring an outdoor bar to life! This is the perfect place to entertain family members and friends when the weather heats up. Why not take a look at some of the top ideas?

Create a Tropical Paradise

One of the most popular outdoor bar ideas right now involves creating a tropical paradise outside. There are many people who have had their vacations canceled due to the pandemic; however, why not bring the tropics home? In order to set up a tropical outdoor bar, it is important to have the right décor. This includes some creative bar stools and tropical-infused pub table! Don’t forget to have the right music and the proper drinks! Then, bask in the glory of the tropics right at home!

A Feeling of Elegance on the Porch

Another top outdoor patio bar this summer involves a feeling of elegance. It is important to relax in comfort and style. Therefore, why not invest in some handsome, a beautiful set of iron stools, and finish it off with some stately wood for the serving station. To complete the look, be sure to bring in some greenery to add a sense of authenticity to the bar itself. This setup will have everyone talking!

Go For the Rustic Feel under the Patio

Minimalism and sustainability are all the rage right now. This is why many people are turning to reclaimed wood to make their bar. Use wine barrels for the base of the bar and then use a piece of reclaimed wood for the countertop. Finish it off with a few plants and the serving station is complete! This is the perfect place to crack open a fresh bottle of wine while feeling at home with nature!

The Bar for a Family Night Out

Finally, those who have space should consider crafting a bar that has been designed for a night out for the whole family. To build this bar, incorporate a beautiful fire pit in the center with some durable metal that can be used to make smores. Then, try to have an open wall on the house for a movie projector. This might even include a pull-down screen to cover up windows that might be present. As the adults sit back and relax with their adult beverages, the kids can make their own desserts and enjoy a movie! It doesn’t get much better than this!

Contact California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes Today!

While the era of social distancing has forced everyone to change their plans, there are still great ways to enjoy an outdoor bar under the comfort of a patio. This is where a home bar can be helpful. If you are looking for help creating your perfect outdoor bar on your patio, visit one of our two Bay area locations. We have a wide selection of home bars, pub tables and barstools that will help you bring it all together!

With summer right around the corner, many people are trying to figure out what they are going to do with their vacation time. Given the current global environment, it is likely that people are going to be staying close to home. This means that everyone should think about ways to entertain themselves in the comfort of their own homes. This is where having an arts and crafts area is a great idea. While some people might be thinking about using their kitchen tables to do arts and crafts, craft tables that use pub tables and bar stools are actually better. There are a few reasons why.

More Storage Space Underneath the Table

First, when someone uses something that sits at counter-height, such as pub tables, there is more room to store items underneath. One of the biggest challenges of arts and crafts is figuring out where to store everything that is needed to make a beautiful art project. It would be annoying to have to get up constantly to get more materials. With a taller workstation, such as pub tables, this is no longer a problem. There is plenty of space underneath the table.

The Option To Sit or Stand

It can be annoying to sit at the table for hours on end. People can get sore after a while. On the other hand, standing up next to a kitchen table for arts and crafts is just not convenient. With a taller table, people have the option to either stand at the counter or use bar stools as seating. This type of flexibility makes it easier for people to stay comfortable when they are working on a project. This also allows people to work for longer periods of time, providing them with the ability to focus on what they’re doing.

Not Having To Clean Up Immediately

Finally, few people use their counters to eat. While people might use their counters to cook, there are probably other counters available to do this. This means that people who are in the middle of an arts and crafts project using a pub table will not have to clean up immediately. They will be able to leave the project out there and return to it later. This type of flexibility is not available with the kitchen table. They might have to move their project to make room for others to eat. Every time the project is moved, there is a chance that it might get damaged. Make sure the arts-and-crafts project has a dedicated area using a pub table.

Fun Materials for Arts and Crafts Projects this Summer

Summer is coming up quickly and people will probably have to stay close to home this year. Arts and crafts projects are a great way to stay busy. Anyone who is looking for material for craft tables should be sure to visit California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes today! There is a great selection of items to choose from!