Whether yours is an entertainment space or somewhere to feed the kids, there are kitchen bar stool ideas for every type of décor under the sun. Though they serve the same function, there are many different types of home bar stools to choose from – it all depends on your space and style.
Let’s go over some of the classic bar stool designs to suit your kitchen island or bar area.
Contents:
- Bar stool height recap
- Bar stool features
- Kitchen bar stool style ideas
- Purchase considerations
- Summary
First things first: bar heights
Kitchens are one of the most popular rooms for home renovations, whether that involves updating your kitchen cabinets or adding an extension. Either way, it poses a great opportunity to revamp your kitchen furniture and style.
Before you go choosing your bar stool, however; you need to consider the space it’s going to be in. How big is your kitchen island? Will your stools be slotted underneath a table or on display for all to see? So begins the argument for counter stools versus bar stools – once we know what kind of countertops we’re dealing with, we know what bar stool styles we can choose.
Measurement rundown
As a quick reminder, counter height seating is ideal for young children, while bar height seating is for bar spaces that are elevated over the food prep area itself. You should choose up to a 70cm stool for bar height, and up to 82cm for a raised breakfast bar. To jump this hurdle entirely and make your setup a tad more accessible, adjustable height barstools are also a great option.
Bar stool design features to consider
While there are simply thousands of styles to choose from along the spectrum of traditional to quirky, let’s first take a look the features we need to consider:
Non-swivel or stationary bar stools
Most favoured by homeowners looking for a blend of simplicity and functionality, stationary stools come in a variety of heights, sizes and styles. But more often than not, you’ll find that bar stools of the non-swivel variety are usually minimalist in style.
Although it’s more difficult to turn around in your seat than in a swivelling stool, they certainly study and get a gold star for versatility.
Swivel stools
Onto the opposite: swivel stools. These handy barstools allow you to turn 360° C in your seat without so much as flexing a muscle. Be careful when you integrate them into your planning; you’ll want enough clearance to allow your guests to swivel around without bumping into anything. This is particularly true if you’re working in a cramped space or with an awkward kitchen layout.
Height adjustable stools
Height-adjustable stools are very handy if convenience is at the top of your kitchen design list. Ideal for your shorter guests, they can provide an exceptional height range, usually between 6 to 10 inches or 15 to 25cm. And they come with and without back support.
Bar stools with and without backs
Speaking of back support, there are several options to choose from, all coming with their own pros and cons. Let’s take a look.
Full back
For maximum back support, full-backed bar stools are the most ergonomic choice, and by far the comfiest. We’d recommend this bar stool design if you have children as the full-back will reduce the likelihood of any accidents from leaning too far back.
Low back
A compromise in terms of space and comfort, stools with low backs feature a subtle backrest designed to follow the shape of your body for healthy support. These take up significantly less space than full-backed stools as they are usually shorter, but they aren’t quite as ergonomic.
Needless to say, they’re a good choice for those who want the option of hiding their stools away under the bar and like the security a half-back can provide.
Backless
A beautiful accompaniment to an ultra-modern or classic kitchen setup, backless barstools take up the least space. Although they don’t offer any support, they can be easily pushed out of sight and don’t take up too much of the limelight in your overall design – the perfect space savers!
While many of these feature sturdy wood finishes, others have a more retro chrome design, and some rely on extras such as upholstery for comfort. But what’s most important to you?
Kitchen bar stool style ideas
We’ve talked design, but now it’s time to delve into style. Sometimes the furniture you pick can make or break a room, so take care researching which looks both suit your kitchen interior and reflect your personal style. Here are 12 bar stool ideas.
1. Barrel
Barrel bar stools are an excellent idea for introducing some unique style into the mix. With a round base and a square top, they provide ample comfort and an interesting sense of harmony into the room.
2. Classic
For those looking for something more timeless, classic backless round stools with traditional carved legs and an upholstered seat are a comfy and obtrusive choice. Match the upholstery with other features in your kitchen such as cabinets or curtains and you can really make things POP.
3. Coastal
Coastal-style barstools make a lovely feature in a themed holiday home. Featuring backs and arms with a rattan finish, they blend seamlessly into biophilic or japandi interiors.
4. Country
Rustic-inspired are hot right now if the cottagecore trend is anything to go by. These stools are more traditional wooden dining chairs and come in a range of gorgeous wood colours from the golden tones of mango wood to airy oak.
5. Modern
These tend to be moulded designs with a pedestal base, usually boasting a sleek bucket seat. Designed to cup the occupant’s back for extra snugness, modern bar stool style ideas don’t have to compromise comfort for a stunning look.
6. Retro
Retro can mean a whole lot of things from art deco to 1950’s glam, but opting for stools with rounded seats and chrome frames can inject a sense of old-school mystique into your interiors.
7. Rustic
Similar to the country style barstool, rustic stools have been popping off in the last few years. Typically a wooden bar stool with a small round top and Western in influence, they offer a timeless appearance and buckets of versatility.
8. Saddle
Saddle barstools feature wooden legs and upholstered seats – sometimes even an actual saddle! One of our favourite saddle bar stools would have to be the vintage tractor seat bar stool. Made from a reclaimed tractor seat, it’s certainly a crowd-pleaser!
9. Scandinavian
With the greige trend reaching its peak, barstools showcasing lighter woods and curved seats are all the range. Not only do these provide a calming organic feel, but they are oh-so versatile and will match a whole number of lighter colour palettes.
10. Barrel
Barrel stools offer a solid seating option packed into a compact design. While traditionally found in a wine cellar, who says you can’t bring those barrels indoors for a bit of eclectic flair?
11. Dark academia
If you’re on TikTok, it’s likely you will see this bookish, classic-inspired design trend. Combining imagery of antiquity, old libraries and autumn colour palettes, leather and Harris tweed barstools fit right into this aesthetic and create a cosy ambience perfect for eating your breakfast with a book in hand.
12. Modern maximalism
Maximalism is all about self-expression through building layers of colour and texture throughout your home with different furnishings and curiosities – and bar stools can become part of this vision. Whether it’s interesting, asymmetrical shapes or bold patterns, the more visually stimulating the better!
Which barstool is right for you?
Functionality, price, style and users all come into play when it comes to well-thought-out kitchen bar stool ideas. Before you buy, consider:
Comfort
Is your stool somewhere for people to rest on while they’re briefly stopping by, or will they be using it for longer periods? If it’s the latter, you’ll want a supportive backrest – like this Vintage Stool with solid Mango wood. You might also consider other bar stools with a footrest for additional comfort.
Users
If it’s a stool for little ones or folks with limited mobility, always choose a counter height or something adjustable. Likewise, look for armrests and back support to prevent hazards. You may prefer a soft upholstered style bar stool (that’s also wipe-clean!). Equally, you might prefer a backless stool that you can slide into from a wheelchair.
Pricing
Naturally, the more you pay for a stool, the higher quality you expect it to be. Ask yourself if it’s going to be a long-term fixture or something more temporary. We offer everything from this budget-friendly Adjustable Bar Stool to luxurious leather bar stools or Kuba styles with built-in cushions.
Overall décor
Last but by no means least, we have the overall style of your kitchen to consider. Is it a modern, Scandinavian feel, which lends itself to lighter styles like this Solid Wood bar stool? If so, you should look to the undertones of your colour scheme to pick a stool that will really enhance the décor. Think: matching airy colours with a cooler backdrop or warm tones with earthy colours.
Are you working with more of a country to rustic kitchen theme, which would suit a style like this Elite Bar Stool? As would be applicable to any country or cottagecore style room, finding inspiration in rustic decoration or the natural world is an excellent place to start.
Now, for those wishing to create a powerhouse of a kitchen, you might instead consider a cutting-edge industrial style featuring metal bar stools. We think reclaimed materials such as this old bicycle work particularly well in an edgy, industrial-look dining area as your guests will experience an environment that embraces both old and new – in the most stylish way.
Whatever direction you sway, make sure you haven’t skipped past our bar stool style ideas above – we wouldn’t want you to miss out!
Tick off all four at Evelyn Lily
If you want comfort, style and functionality, get in touch with the team or browse our range of kitchen bar stools and home decor design ideas at Evelyn Lily Interiors.
