Perfect breakfast bar stools (Ikea Ingolf Bar Stool)

Member Name: i_am_joy

Product:	Ikea Ingolf Bar Stool
Date:	24/02/09 (601 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Look great, comfortable to sit on, perfect height, metal footrest guard

Disadvantages: The white ones aren't as visually appealing

When my son in law built me a breakfast bar in the kitchen I went on a hunt for the perfect stools to use with it, I've never bought anything like this before so wasn't sure where to look in the first place as all the stools on Ebay and other online stores were too modern or too retro for my rather country cottage style kitchen.

My daughter suggested a ride out to Ikea as they generally have a big choice of traditionally styled wooden kitchen furniture, the choice there was excellent but I was immediately drawn to the Ingolf Bar Stool which is made of solid pine, comes in two sizes and a choice of antique wood stain or white finish. After consulting with my son in law I bought the taller of the two sizes which has an overall height of 102cm and would be perfect for my breakfast bar which is 115cm off the floor, I chose the antique stain as frankly I thought the white looked very cheap and of the sort of finish that would mark easily and not stand the test of time appearance wise.

The stools are flat pack but looked rather easy to put together, she says after watching three 6ft men cussing and yelling at the various pieces! The first stool probably took half an hour to assemble and the following three around 10 minutes each, which just goes to show that if you read the instructions BEFORE starting on the first one then it will make the job so much easier.

Once assembled these stools look great, the colour compliments the mottled grey of my breakfast bar top and the stools look really substantial and attractive. They're a rather basic design, which is just what I was after, but have an understated rather than boring appearance. The stain and design of them puts me in mind of church chairs, obviously minus the hymn book holder, and they do have quite a gothic appearance when arranged together along my breakfast bar.

These are comfortable stools to sit on, the seat isn't shaped in any way but is kind to your bottom even when sitting for long periods of time. The height from the floor to the seat is 74cm which I think is ideal, even short adults such as myself (5ft 2in) can easily tiptoe to push ourselves into the seat while taller people just have to lean into the seat and make themselves comfortable. My granddaughters' love the fact that they are higher than usual, even the baby is happy because we're all at sort of the same level as her while she's sitting in her high chair now!

There's a footrest between the front two legs which is strong enough to help a child clamber up, and at just the right height for its correct purpose of resting your feet while eating your lunch. The footrest has a metal guard across the top which is a nice black colour and doesn't not detract from the good looks of the stool whatsoever, this protects the wood from countless bangs and the pressure of people putting their feet on it so often. I think this is a great idea as the metal will not scuff or mark as the wooden footrest would over time, it also adds some extra strength to the already solid wooden footrest.

I think these bar stools are great; they look fantastic, are comfortable and appear to be of extremely high quality. I have no doubt that these chairs will last me for many years as they are well made and have a classic design which will always be in fashion. Each chair costs £25 from Ikea, this was rather more than I expected to pay (especially for flat pack) but am so impressed with them that I don't begrudge the mark up in price one little bit.

Summary: A wonderful set of kitchen stools which look great and won't break the bank.