Whether you’re curling up with a cup of coffee at the breakfast bar or hosting friends for late-night drinks, the perfect set of bar stools can make all the difference to your kitchen or entertaining zone.
Finding your perfect set means balancing aesthetics and practicality; they should be comfortable and practical for everyday use, but also elevate the look of your space like a great piece of décor. And luckily, Australia’s interiors market is brimming with options that suit every home, height and budget.
The best bar stools in Australia, 2026
- Best short counter stool: Bethan Wooden Bar Stool in Walnut, Interior Secrets
- Best tall bar stool: Mellila Bar Stool, FREEDOM
- Best bar stools for outdoors: Rio Outdoor Teak Bar Stool Set, Castlery
- Best bar stools for a pop of colour: Eisha Velvet Bar Stools x2, Luxo Living
- Best woven bar stool: Cuba Woven Bar Stool, Lounge Lovers
To save you hours of browsing, I’ve rounded up the very best bar stools available locally and compiled a list of my best tips to help you choose the perfect ones for your space.
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Counter-height bar stools
Designed to sit comfortably beneath standard kitchen benchtops, counter-height stools are slightly lower than bar stools, making them ideal for everyday use. Their height allows for easy sitting and standing, which is why they’re the go-to choice for kitchen islands, breakfast bars and family-friendly spaces where comfort and practicality matter just as much as style.
Eisha Velvet Bar Stools x2
$399 at Luxo Living
Chaney Natural Frame Bar Stool$595 $510 at Interior Secrets
Gilles Linen Arched Bar Stools x2
$199 at Luxo Living
Bethan Wooden Bar Stool in Walnut x2$798 $760 at Interior Secrets
Alondra Barstool in Full Black$235 $155 at Interior Secrets
Zara Beech Wood Bar Stool$229.99 $179.99 at Temple & Webster
Dunlap Indonesian Oak Wood Bar Stool$289.99 $249.99 at Temple & Webster
Tiramisu Counter Stool
$650 at Trit House
Bar-height bar stools
Designed for elevated bars and entertaining spaces, bar-height stools bring a relaxed, cocktail-lounge feel to the home. Taller and often more sculptural in form, they’re ideal for home bars, raised breakfast counters or spaces where entertaining is front and centre.
Mellila Bar Stool$479 $383 at FREEDOM
Cuba Woven Bar Stool
$499 at Lounge Lovers
Ollie Bar Stool
$449 at Lounge Lovers
Kallisto Swivel Barstools x2
$199 at Temple & Webster
Malone Beige Counter Stool$299.99 $179.99 at Adairs
Rio Outdoor Teak Bar Stool Set
$1200 at Castlery
Bassel Cross Back Counter Stool$255 $223 at LivingStyles
Edith Cane Bar Stools x2
$718 at Castlery
What to look for when shopping for bar stools
Choosing bar stools isn’t just about picking a pretty seat; it’s about finding the right fit for your space, lifestyle and style aesthetic. Start by measuring the height of your bench or bar so you know whether you need counter-height (usually around 65–75 cm seat height) or bar-height stools (around 75–85 cm). Allow 25–30 cm of clearance between the stool seat and the underside of the surface so legs fit comfortably.
Next, think about how you’ll use them: are they for daily breakfasts and homework sessions or occasional evening drinks? If they’re in heavy rotation, comfort becomes paramount, so look for supportive backrests, footrests and perhaps some padding. For smaller spaces or open-plan living, stools with slim profiles or armless designs help maintain flow.
Bar stools generally come in two standard heights: Counter-height stools, which are designed for kitchen islands and benches around 90 cm high, with a seat height of approximately 65–75 cm, and bar-height stools, which suit higher bars or breakfast counters around 105 cm, with seat heights closer to 75–85 cm.
For a comfortable layout, allow around 60 cm per stool along the length of your bench.
This gives enough elbow room for dining and prevents the area from feeling crowded, especially in open-plan kitchens.
Bar stools with backs offer more support and are ideal for everyday meals, working from the bench or entertaining for longer periods, whereas backless stools have a sleeker profile and can be tucked neatly under the counter, making them a great option for smaller spaces
Timber, powder-coated metal and wipeable faux leather are practical choices that stand up well to spills and daily use. Upholstered stools can add softness and luxury, but it’s worth choosing stain-resistant fabrics if they’ll see heavy use.
Footrests aren’t essential, but they do make stools far more comfortable, especially for extended sitting. They also help protect stool legs from scuffs and add to overall stability.
