Whether you’ve got a big kitchen with a dreamy kitchen island standing pride of place, or a small corner repurposed for personal happy hour cocktails, adding the right seating serves to up the comfort levels.
Shopping for bar stools, the extra addition to your countertop, home bar or breakfast bar, is part of the fun of kitting out the home.
There are designs in every style you can think of, from industrial chic to farmhouse and high-backed upholstered styles that offer heightened comfort for longer periods of sitting. You can even use them to lean or perch on beside your standing desk when you want to take the weight off your feet for a bit.
Before you start your search, it’s key to measure the height of the table or area you have in mind. Though bar stools are taller than regular chairs, their heights do differ, so consider if you want to be able to tuck the stools in when they’re not in use and how much legroom you’d like, especially if you’re sitting on them for a lengthy period.
To help inspire your purchase, we’ve found the most stylish options to get your hands on right now.
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Cult Furniture Wish Wooden Bar Stool, Natural Weave & Black
Height: 109cm
Modelled on the highly coveted 1949 Hans Wegner design, interiors fans haven’t failed to notice versions of the Wishbone chair doing the rounds. This reproduction of the most-wanted Danish design literally elevates the look for breakfast bars, kitchen counters and home bars with the curved Y-shaped back sitting 109cm high. Made with black-stained beech wood and a contrast natural paper cord seat, it’s an easy way to bring style points to your interiors.
Buy now £259.00, Cult Furniture
Swoon Editions Ollie
Height: 91cm
A stool with support in the form of a backrest is ideal for sitting in when you’re wolfing down toast or enjoying a tipple after a hard day. The spindled backrest and tapered legs offer an elegant vintage design element, perfect if you’re into the mid century modern look. This purchase is for a pair of acacia wood stools.
Buy now £349.00, Swoon Editions
Dunelm Rockport Pipework Bar Stool
Height: 78cm
Fan of the industrial aesthetic? This no-nonsense stool looks like it’s been pinched straight from a Hackney bar with a flat round elm veneer seat and copper-effect frame that can slide straight under countertops thanks to the lack of backrest. The seat can swivel 360 degrees and is height adjustable too.
Buy now £119.00, Dunelm
Blue Elephant Caneghem Height Adjustable Swivel Bar Stool
Height: 114cm approx
With a leather-effect seat and curved seat on a powder coated frame, this bar stool screams modern chic. The PU upholstery is easy to clean in case of spills or drips while the attached footrest offers extra support, helpful if you’re sitting for extended periods. The height adjustable seat adds to its versatility, whether you’re enjoying a leisurely weekend breakfast or hosting drinks for friends. Choose from a white or black coloured seat. Some assembly is required.
Buy now £139.99, Wayfair
PS Global Lyon Velvet Barstool
Height: 103cm
Inspired by stately wingback armchairs, this stool brings the comfort of traditional seating to your countertop. The ergonomically shaped velvet seat is sumptuous to rest against and will work best in a contemporary kitchen. There is a small level of construction on delivery, but with all the nuts and bolts provided the company claims it won’t take longer than five minutes.
Buy now £179.99, Amazon
Cult Furniture Sylvia Bar Stool, Blush Pink Recycled Velvet & Brass
Height: 109cm
Art Deco fans will fall for the Sylvia stool, available in a range of muted tones including this blush pink version. The padded seat with a mid-rise back and fan stitching sits on a brass frame with a built-in footrest to stop legs from dangling uncomfortably. It offers a green element too - that velvet is made from 100 per cent recycled PET yarns, giving new life to waste in the most sumptuous way.
Buy now £129.00, Cult Furniture
Dunelm Nirvana Rattan Bar Stool
Height: 90cm
When it comes to interiors, rattan isn’t going anywhere. Bring boho summer vibes to your home year round with Dunelm’s Nirvana stool. While the handwoven back and armrests provide enough comfort as is, adding a seat cushion will mean you can sit comfortably for hours. Also available in a lighter neutral hue.
Buy now £129.00, Dunelm
Bay Isle Home Charlie Bar Stool - Black
Height: 97cm
Rattan makes a return on this high backed stool with a cane detail panel in the backrest. Sturdy on four solid pine legs with an integrated footrest there’s an upholstered seat, adding to the comfort levels. It will fit neatly under a counter that’s 68.5cm high.
Buy now £139.99, Wayfair
Lakeland Mando Bar Stool Taupe Velvet
Height: 93cm
Bring the bar-look home with Lakeland Furniture’s upholstered seats. Filled with comfortable foam padding, the chairs are covered in a touchably soft taupe-coloured fabric and there’s a footrest on the front two legs too. The look will make a statement on its own but even more of an impact in a group.
Buy now £79.99, Lakeland Furniture
La Redoute Interiors Musette Rattan & Braiding Bar Stool
Height: 76cm
Whether you need extra seating for parties or something small and inconspicuous to tuck under your breakfast counter once you’re finished with your morning cereal, La Redoute’s colourful stool ticks all the boxes. The teal and straw look has been made with heat-bent rattan cane with a braided seat to add interest. The feet have plastic padding to protect floors.
Buy now £90.75, La Redoute
