In a Nutshell:
Little Flash Furniture does it again, offering an impressive, if somewhat basic, durable indoor/outdoor stool. Not the most comfortable thing you’ll ever sit on, but it gets the job done and is built to last.The Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Barstool is recommended for anyone weighing up to 500 pounds who’s’ in the market for a simple, functional indoor/outdoor stool.
Value for the Money
Comfort
Brand Reliability*
Aesthetic Flexibility**
Overall Rating
3.7/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Are you looking for a sturdy, reliable indoor-outdoor barstool with an industrial aesthetic? Are you a heavier person, or do you regularly entertain guests who are?
You’ll like what you read in this review if you answered yes to either of those questions.
Finding good quality furniture capable of supporting many user weights can be challenging, no matter what type of furnishings you’re looking for. Most big-name brands have decided to steer clear of that market segment, preferring instead to market to the mainstream, making furniture capable of supporting between 250-300 pounds for the most part. Sure, big, mainstream brands offer more robust options, but they’re the exception rather than the rule.
Fortunately, that fact has created an opportunity for smaller brands, and Flash Furniture and many others have stepped up to the plate.
We readily admit that we’re biased in favor of little Flash Furniture. They’ve been in the game for a long and know how to make top-quality furniture. Although they’re only a fraction of the size of big, national brands, their products regularly steal the thunder from the big brands, winning spots on several roundup reviews we’ve done in the past.
The Flash Furniture Metal indoor-outdoor barstool may be designed with some shortcomings, but It’s a serious competitor. If you’re a fan of the industrial aesthetic this model brings to the table, you will be impressed.
In the following sections, we’ll tell you everything it offers, and we won’t pull any punches when describing the stool’s shortcomings. That way, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if it’s the one you’ve been looking for. If that sounds good, read on, and let’s look closer.
Key Features of the Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Bar Chair
The Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Barstool is a mostly steel barstool with an unmistakable industrial look and feel. That’s the first thing you notice about it. At first glance, you may think that since it’s made mostly of metal, it would be a poor choice for outdoor use.
Not to worry, though. It’s been coated to help it withstand the elements and prevent rust. Since they’re fairly lightweight, moving them indoors is easy when you’re not actively using them.
Chair Specifications
Before we go further, let’s take a quick look at the core stats that define the model. Here are the basics:
In general, these are good numbers. We’re impressed by the amount of weight the stool can support, and we love that you can buy either a 24” or a 30” high model, depending on your specific needs.
The seat dimensions are a bit underwhelming, and if you weigh close to the maximum supported limit of the chair, you’re likely to be somewhat uncomfortable trying to squeeze yourself onto the small seat. On the other hand, most people don’t invest in barstools to spend the whole day lounging in them. They’re meant to serve as occasional seating; in that regard, the seat dimensions are acceptable.
If you want one (or more), you can buy this stool individually or in packs of four, which is convenient if you’re buying several at once.
Color Options
Also note that you can get yours in a wide range of color options, including:
There is a good mix of color options here, ranging from subdued, which allows these stools to blend politely into the background, to bold, eye-popping colors you can use to turn them into the centerpiece of your outdoor entertaining space if you prefer. There are lots of different options here, and we love that.
Adjustability and Comfort
The Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Bar chair is not adjustable, though again, note that when you place your order, you can select either a 24” or a 30” height variant, depending on your needs.
Comfort-wise, these are solid metal stools, so they’re not luxurious. If you place them in the hot sun, they’ll get uncomfortably hot quickly.
The good news is that it’s easy to make them as comfortable as you like by introducing a seat pad of whatever thickness you desire. In theory, you could also add a seatback pad, though it may be difficult to get it to stay in place because the back is mostly open.
Again, though, given that these are designed for occasional seating, we don’t have any serious complaints about comfort.
One final thing to note is that the seat is slightly indented to help water flow to the center. A handful of small holes in the center of the seat allow any water that builds up on the seat to drain away. It’s a small touch, but we appreciate the attention to detail on display.
Minor Assembly is Required
Most furniture you can buy online today arrives in a box and unassembled at your door. These stools are no exception. Fortunately, Flash Furniture’s production quality is fairly high, and the instructions are clear. Getting the stool out of its box will probably take longer than preparing it for first use, which is very good.
Pros and Cons of Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Barstool
These stools are almost entirely self-selecting. You’re either going to be in the market for an all-metal, industrial-looking barstool, or you’re not. If you are, this one is offered by a good company with a reputation for making good quality, long-lasting furniture. If you’re not specifically looking for a stool with this aesthetic, you won’t be impressed, no matter how many fun color options are available.
Final Thoughts: Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Barstool Review
Given all of the above, we can only give the Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Barstool a provisional recommendation. If you decide to buy one or more of these, they’ll serve you well and last you for years with proper care.
Recommended Reading
Renovoo Aluminum Saddle Seat Counter Stool Review
We evaluated the Renovoo Aluminum Saddle Seat Counter Stool, a great choice for indoor and outdoor counter spaces.
Triple Tree Folding Stool Review
Our examination highlights the Triple Tree Folding Stool, a sturdy, affordable, and functional alternative to folding chairs.
References & Resources
- Flash Furniture, Official Brand Website.
- Flash Furniture Metal Indoor-Outdoor Barstool User Manual.
- Selecting Metal Furniture, Utah State University.
- Defining A Style Series: Industrial Design? The Perfect Blend of Old and New, Freshome.