Bar Tables, Fine Mod Imports

I've always loved bistro tables - you know, the tall, sometimes delicate tables that come to mind when you think of a Parisian cafe or maybe a trendy nightclub. They're the kind of tables you see when you go out, but not often in the home. I think it's a distinction worth breaking, so here are my top six favorite ways to use a bistro table or bar table in your own home.

Table For Two

[caption id="attachment_4747" align="aligncenter" width="345"] Mimosa Bar Table And Flick Bar Chair[/caption] Whether or not you're married, all couples can use a little together time, and there are few ways to eat or drink that are more intimate than puling up a pair of stylish Flick Chairs to a small, snazzy table like this Mimosa Bar Table from Zuo. If you've got a big family, your main dining table is a pretty busy place, from big meals to homework helping, and most of the childless couples I know tend to use their dining table as a junk mail graveyard. Eating together is an important element of closeness, and having a special, sacred place to eat together (even if it's only once in a while) is a great way to help strengthen your relationship.

Corner "Getaway"

[caption id="attachment_4748" align="aligncenter" width="365"] Xert Bar Table With Dalton Stool From Zuo[/caption] Because you don't often see bistro tables or bar tables in homes as often as you do in the "wild," having one in your home is a great way to bring a little of that setting into your home. Even a simple bistro table like this Xert Table is easily dressed up with the surrounding decor - put a few Parisian-themed prints on two walls in a corner, or a stylish pair of tall, modern chairs like this Dalton Chair and you'll be transported to a different place (without taking up too much space). A great place to drink your morning cuppa - you can even set up a themed space divider if you want a little extra privacy. Browse Bar Tables:

Add Seating To Odd Spaces

[caption id="attachment_4749" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Clyde Adjustable Table And Agnes Bar Stools From EuroStyle[/caption] The slim, svelte height of bistro tables and bar stools gives them the unique quality of being slightly see-through. What I mean is that while large dining tables can really dominate a space, bar tables and chairs like this Clyde Table and Agnes Chairs  from EuroStyle are tall but small and narrow, so they're easy to look past. That makes them an excellent way to add more seating (and surfaces) to odd "leftover" spaces in your home without making them look crowded. This also makes them.... Browse Bar Stools:

Entertainer's Delight

[caption id="attachment_4751" align="aligncenter" width="412"] Christabel Folding Bar Table And Marius Stackable Bar Stools From Zuo[/caption] Tall bar tables and chairs are as much a mainstay of bars as they are of bistros, and not just for the aforementioned reason that they don't take up a lot of visual or physical space. They also encourage interaction. Unlike sit-down dinner tables, with a bar table like this Christable Table, someone standing and sitting will be at about the same height. It offers an easy, compact place to put down or pick up a drink as you pass by, and a seat on a Marius Stool if you need it that won't force you to bow out of the party. For those with larger homes who do a lot of entertaining, a room dotted with a few of these will definitely encourage mingling. Extra bonus? The table folds away and the bar stools stack for easy storage between parties.

Table With A View

[caption id="attachment_4750" align="aligncenter" width="356"] Dimension Bar Table With Box Bar Chairs From Zuo[/caption] If you have a picture window, balcony, or patio with a nice view (even if it's just of your back yard), setting up a bar table like this Dimension Bar Table is a good way to enjoy it, a cup of tea, and a little vitamin D. Plus, bar tables and bar stools like these Box Chairs are lightweight and easy to move out of doors in nicer weather. While not all bistro tables and chairs are meant to be left outside, they're a great option for a small porch or balcony if you want to soak up some sun but not have to stow not-for-indoors patio furniture in the off season. Browse Zuo Bar Stools:

Dress Up Or Dress Down

[caption id="attachment_4746" align="aligncenter" width="407"] Chardonnay Bar Table And Soar Bar Stool From Zuo[/caption] One of the greatest things about bistro tables like this Chardonnay Bar Table is that their simple design makes them supremely flexible. They add a touch of personality, but depending on your backdrop, and on the chairs you pair with it (in this case, a simple but elegant Soar Stool) they can serve as anything from a cozy, intimate breakfast nook for two to a swanky cocktail-lounge style. And because the tables are small and usually made out of metal or glass, you don't need to worry about adornment (tablecloths, pads, place mats, or seat cushions) - just dress it up with a pretty vase and fresh flowers, and you'll have all the style you need. So whether you wish you had a sunnier spot to do your morning crossword, or want to impress a large group of guests, bistro tables and bar stools can bring some of the comfort, convenience, and style of cafes and cocktail bars into your home. Do you like the idea of having a tall table, or are you happy with your dining set?...