Kitchen

The best bar stools to elevate your kitchen

Take a seat! These striking bar stools will add a finishing touch to your kitchen
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An integral piece of furniture, the right bar stool can make or break your kitchen design.

If the kitchen is the hub of the home and the island bench central to its functionality, the perfect line up of bar stools will bring your whole look together.

An ideal piece to make a style statement, invite comfortable chatting and service the daily breakfast onslaught, many a homeowner has been stumped by the quest for the best bar stool.

Here are our top 5 tips for stool success.

1. Getting bar stool height right

The correct height for your stools will depend on the height of your island bench. Before you go shopping, measure from the floor to the underside of your island bench and take this measurement with you as you shop.

Ideally allow approximately 25cm between your seat and the top of your table – but ensure there’s plenty of clearance for your legs if you have a thick benchtop.

2. How wide should your bar stools be? 

If you are building a kitchen from scratch, start by considering how many stools are ideal for your family and ensure your island bench provides enough room to accommodate them.

Ideally allow 50-75cm for each bar stool, plus another 12-15cm per stool for arm room and access. Bar stools with backs tend to take up more room than those without.

If you’ve inherited an island bench and are buying bar stools to go under it, work backwards from the existing bench width and find stools that fit with the additional 12-15cm of space per stool.

3. Bar stool feet width

Make sure you measure the width at the base of your bar stools if the feet are wider than the seat, which is often the case. The seats may have room underneath the bench but if the legs and feet are getting tangled, it’s not a comfortable fit.

Marble and timber kitchen with mid-century inspired style
Choosing the right kitchen bar stool can lock in your decorating style. The American oak and leather with brass detailing work perfectly with this kitchen scheme. (Credit: Photography: Simon Whitbread)

4. Bar stool material choices

The sky is the limit – or perhaps your budget is. This is one case where you definitely get what you pay for. The build quality in a bar stool is reflected in its price and your investment will be rewarded with a long and sturdy life when you spend more.

If opting for upholstered bar stools, consider removable bar stool covers which will give you more flexibility when choosing fabric. You might like to get more than one set to rotate for cleaning and options to switch out for a more seasonal look.

5. Test run your bar stools

A bar stool is one item you should definitely try before you buy. It may be easy to buy bar stools online as there are hundreds to choose from, but doing so without sitting on it to test for comfort, finish and build quality is taking a risk.

Coastal style kitchen with concrete island bench
Reclaimed timber bar stools work with oversized rattan pendant lights overhead for a coast vibe. (Credit: Photography: The Palm Co)

Our pick of the best bar stools

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