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7 coastal-inspired bar stools made for laid-back living

The epitome of island elegance.
Photography: Ess Creative / Styling: Jessica Bellef)

The bar stool is perhaps the epitome of laid-back seating. Lacking the formality of other types of chairs, the bar stool brings company and conversation into the kitchen—encouraging friends with a glass of wine and children finishing their homework, to linger while you cook.

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The relaxed nature of the bar stool also seems to be the reason they tend to fit so effortlessly into the coastal aesthetic—conjuring images of a Cocktail-like beach bar and holidays to far-flung locales.

Coastal bar stools.

With their rattan backs and seats, these bar stools bring a fresh coastal element into a contemporary kitchen in Brisbane. Photography: Mindi Cooke / Styling: Kylie Jackes

But despite its laid-back qualities, the bar stool can be a tricky seat to get right, requiring a discerning eye to look over its often overlooked but important features. Rattan for example, is a common material to find on coastal bar stools, but taking a seat on the wrong type or weave of rattan is guaranteed to result in more pain than pleasure.

Likewise, its worth considering whether you want your bar stools to have a back for extra support, and whether you prefer an upholstered or more rustic look.

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With these considerations in mind, we’ve compiled a guide to selecting the right bar stool for your space, as well as our seven favourite styles to buy in 2024.

2024’s best coastal bar stools

  1. Classic weave bar stool, $620, Highgate House (here’s why)
  2. Lola Swivel bar stool, $590, Highgate House (here’s why)
  3. Natalie bar stool, $199, Fantastic Furniture (here’s why)

The best coastal bar stools

A light rattan bar stool with a high back.

01

Classic weave bar stool

from $620, Highgate House

Best for: comfort

This classic coastal bar stool’s eyelet weave rattan and natural linen seat cushion are an elegant coastal addition to any living space. Plus, with its supportive back, foot rest and upholstered cushion seat, this bar stool doesn’t sacrifice comfort for style.

Sizes: 52.5cm x 54cm x 91cm

Colours: Natural/dark

Materials: Natural woven rattan, natural linen

Key features:

  • Eyelet weave rattan
  • Upholstered seat cushion
  • Outdoor Sunbrella fabric
Rattan coastal bar stool with back.

02

Lola swivel bar stool

from $590, Highgate House

Best for: vintage-inspired interiors

The vintage-inspired silhouette, intricate detailing and blonde white wash of Highgate House’s Lola swivel bar stool will set your coastal décor apart from other similar styles.

Sizes: 105cm x 57cm x 50cm

Colours: Blonde white wash

Materials: Natural woven rattan

Key features:

  • Neutral shade
  • 360 swivel seat
  • Indoor use only
Coastal style bar stool set.

03

Natalie barstool set of two

from $199, Fantastic Furniture

Best for: classic stool, affordability

Conveniently sold in a set of two, the contemporary coastal design and affordable price point of these bar stools make them a safe choice for almost all interior styles.

Sizes: 48cm x 48cm x 65cm

Colours: Brown, white

Materials: Rattan, rubber wood

Key features:

  • Set of two
  • Smooth edges for a refined finish
  • Sturdy leg brace for added stability
Coastal bar stool with back.

04

BANGALOW counter stool

from $369 (usually $499), Freedom

Best for: modern coastal

With its square design, supportive back and handwoven rattan, this Freedom counter stool will elevate any modern coastal aesthetic.

Sizes: 45cm x 56cm x 100cm

Colours: Natural

Materials: Ash, Pine, Rattan

Key features:

  • With back
  • Solid timber frame
  • Hand-woven rattan crafted using traditional techniques
A rattan coastal bar stool.

05

Bastion bar stool oak

$379, Early Settler

Best for: rustic interiors

The classic timber frame and curved rattan back and seat of this bar stool will bring a sense of island elegance into any home.

Sizes: 96.5 cm x 45 cm x 42 cm

Colours: Brown/white

Materials: Chinese oak with a woven rattan back and seat

Key features:

  • Sturdy frame
  • Handy footrest
  • Springy woven rattan seat and back
White coastal bar stool.

06

Laguna rope outdoor barstool

$379.99, Temple & Webster

Best for: outdoors, dining

With a white rope back, water resistant cushion and warm acacia wood frame, this bar stool brings comfort and style to your outdoor dining area.

Sizes: 94cm x 58.5cm x 57cm

Colours: White/green

Materials: Powder-coated steel wrapped with white polypropylene plastic rope seat, acacia wood legs, 100% polyester cushion cover, foam cushion fill

Key features:

  • Removeable seat cushion with zipper cover for easy maintenance
  • Ethically sourced & fast-growing sustainable wood
  • Lower back
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Coastal bar stool with back and footrest.

07

Marcus beech wood barstool

$269.99, Temple & Webster

Best for: contemporary coastal

With its woven paper rope seat and sturdy beech wood legs, this bar stool’s mix of traditional and modern coastal design makes it the perfect fit for most interior styles.

Sizes: 96.5cm x 46cm x 49.5cm

Colours: Light wood

Materials: Timber, beech wood with clear lacquer finish

Key features:

  • Curved backrest
  • Lightweight
  • Woven paper rope seat & backrest

How to choose the right bar stool height?

The height of your bar stool will determine both the chair’s comfort and overall look in your space. To find the right height, its important to first determine the height of the countertop, bar or table that the stool will be placed under.

The most common bar stool height is between 60cm and 68cm, which is a size that fits underneath most kitchen counters and benchtops. Taller bar stalls, which generally fall within the 85cm to 95cm range, tend to fit home bars and taller benchtops.

You also shouldn’t forget to measure the space between your bar stool’s seat and the countertop, with a 20cm to 30cm gap between the two generally providing the optimum amount of space for your thighs and legs to fit. comfortably.

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What type of bar stool is the most comfortable?

While comfort preferences do vary from person to person, bar stools with more support—with backrests, armrests and footrests—will generally be the most comfortable to sit on for a long period of time.

Its also important to consider the type of material your bar stool is made from, as some rougher and woven rattan materials will likely feel more uncomfortable on the underside of your thighs (especially if you’re wearing a skirt or shorts in the summer).

For this reason, it may be worth opting for an upholstered design or testing the seat before making a purchase.


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