20 Best Bar Stools

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Your breakfast bar = THE place to be.

Whether you live in a spacious house in the 'burbs or a 500-square-foot box in the city (hi, it me), the kitchen is where a *lot* of the action happens. It's the place where you make (or attempt to make) all your meals and where guests tend to gather when they come over. Naturally, then, you wanna make your kitchen as pretty as possible. And if you have a kitchen island or breakfast bar (or better yet, a REAL bar), then one of the best ways to up your kitchen game is with some sleek bar stools. The best bar stools and counter stools tend to be stylish, sturdy, and—most importantly—comfy, and IMO, a great set of seats can transform your kitchen or dining space into a perfect party pad.

Ofc, shopping for furniture is tough when you want stuff that's nice...but also don't want to max out your credit cards trying to furnish your space. Affordable furniture stores like Wayfair and AllModern are great places to start your search if you're not looking to drop tons of $$$, and there are plenty of other places to get cute pieces without breaking the bank, too. (Speaking of affordable and v chic, did you know Cosmo has a line of furniture called CosmoLiving, which you can find on Wayfair, Target, Amazon, and Walmart?? Now you do.)

Ahead, the best bar stools and counter stools the internet has to offer, from wallet-friendly picks to super-luxe options.

When buying a bar stool, you also have to consider cushions for said stools. Many don't come with them, but this beauty does. The cream cushion is nice and plush, and it pairs perfectly with the brown woven seat and black-finish metal frame.

THE REVIEW: "We previously had saddle stools that were pretty uncomfortable so even our kids didn’t want to sit on them. We finally decided to upgrade but didn’t want to spend a fortune and these caught my eye. I’m so glad I bought them! They look great, are comfortable, and are wide enough for bigger hips!"

Want some color in your kitchen? This matcha-hued bar stool is just begging for a place at your breakfast bar. The schoolhouse style adds a touch of nostalgia to your space, while the pretty pastel tone feels completely contemporary.

At just a little over $100 a chair, this set of two faux leather stools is such a steal. You can get 'em in four different color options and two different height options, and since they're filled with foam, they're just as comfy as they look.

THE REVIEW: "Perfect island barstools! The color is exactly as the picture shows, they are incredibly soft, durable, easy to put together, and extremely comfortable! Would highly recommend them!"

At $340 a chair, these barstools ain't cheap, but they're well welllll worth the price. Available in four different color options, these ultra-cozy stools feature a seat height of 30 inches and soft molded vinyl that legit contours to your butt for max comfort.

Calling all minimalists, this one's for you. With a simple wood design, flat surface, and foot rail, it ticks off all the boxes for functionality. And although they're a bit understated design-wise, reviewers say they're really comfortable.

THE REVIEW: "Great, solid stools. I was initially concerned that they would dig into my thighs, but they don’t, and are very comfortable."

Yep, Amazon has super cute (and super affordable!) furniture you can shop, like this set of two vintage-style faux leather swivel chairs. They come in a bunch of different colors, and since the height is adjustable, you can use 'em at your counter or a high-top bar.

THE REVIEW: "These are so easy to assemble I did them all by myself & had them set around our new bar area before my husband got home. The box was big but not heavy. We are very pleased with our purchase I hope they hold up for the price. So comfortable also & I have had so many compliments on them."

Why does this lil saddle-style stool have over 4,000 glowing reviews and a 4.8-star rating, you ask? Because it's oh-so-versatile, that's why. Choose your preferred height, wood finish, upholstery material, and color, and this bb will get shipped to you fully assembled.

THE REVIEW: "This is my second time purchasing the Julien counter stools. The first 3 counter stools were for a brand new kitchen renovation with a beautiful island. When I sold that house, the buyers had to have the stools stay with the house. So, onto my next house kitchen renovation and I have purchased the stools again… different color this time. They are so comfortable and roomy for sitting at the island and I love them! Can’t beat the color selection for the wood and the seats and the price is even better!"

For affordable furniture that looks anything but cheap, go to Ashley. This adjustable swivel bar stool (which comes in white or brown) features faux leather upholstery and a faux wood finish, but it looks just like the real thing.

THE REVIEW: "I am so pleased with the purchase of these bar stools. They are stylish, comfortable, easy to assemble, and priced 'just right!' I needed stools that were adjustable and swivel. These bar stools fit the bill. Highly recommend!!"

You can always count on West Elm for totally customizable luxe pieces, and this upholstered stool is no exception. Choose the height, fabric, color, and metal finish to make this stool totally your own.

Standing 28 inches in height, this stunning set of two barstools feature a contoured rosewood seat perfect for your 🍑 and a sleek iron base that'll complement any décor style.

THE REVIEW: "Very sturdy and high quality and super comfortable. Took a reasonable amount of time to assemble - probably about 15-20 min per chair. I would definitely purchase these again!"

Yes, at $1,550 a pop, this swanky velvet stool is definitely! not! cheap! But if you're all about luxury, then this stunner of a seat (which comes in oak or walnut and just about every color option imaginable) is a must-buy.

Available in black, pink, gold, or gray, this v chic low-back chair has a seat height of 25 inches, making it the perf choice for countertops. It's suuuper easy to assemble and pretty easy on the wallet, too (and no, we're def not biased).

THE REVIEW: "I absolutely love these bar stools. They can be used with or without a cushion, but they are shockingly comfortable without one. The muted gold color matches perfectly with the rest of my furniture."

If your style screams "second home in the Hamptons," then you need a few of these elegant rattan frame seats, which are modeled after the classic Parisian bistro chair (oui, oui!) and have a seat height of 26 inches.

Available as a bar stool or counter stool, this woven rattan seat brings fun tropical vibes to any room (and as a bonus, it's suuuuper comfy). Pls note this chair is only sold in multiples of two, so plan accordingly.

With its solid oak seat and asymmetrical steel base, this super modern stool (which comes with a black or chrome base and in two different height options) is just about the coolest seat you'll ever meet.

THE REVIEW: "I do enjoy the simplicity of design. The foot rungs are place at different heights for added variety and comfort."

Vintage lovers, this classic stool with a twist is callin' your name. Standing 30 inches tall, this bb is spruced up with black lacquer and a gold trim that makes it seriously unique.

Okay, how aesthetic is this bar stool? Featuring a hand-painted wrought iron frame and a clear lucite seat, this gorge chair (which has a seat height of 30 inches, btw) is a legit work of art.

If you're going for that industrial-chic look, then you'll love this minimalistic metal stool. Available in five different color options and your choice of a solid oak or walnut seat, this bad boy has a seat height of 30 inches and an easily detachable back rest (and it also comes in a 24-inch counter-height version).

If you wanna keep it simple, go with this effortlessly stylish stool. You can get it in two different height options and your choice of a natural leather or solid oak seat, and it'll make a stunning addition to A-N-Y room.

THE REVIEW: "I get compliments on these bar stools all the time! They’re not only good looking but they’re comfortable too!"

Available in white or gray, this Italian-made stool features a super-cushy seat and gorgeous upholstery that literally no one will believe is faux leather. It comes with a seat height of 30 inches and is also available as a 24-inch countertop version.

THE REVIEW: "I was very impressed by the stools. They are very comfortable and the gray is a beautiful color with the accent stitching. My favorite feature of this stool is that it is so clean easy to clean this faux leather. I have spilled everything from red wine to cranberry sauce to turkey juice (Thanksgiving woes) and I simply wiped it clean with my eco-friendly clean cleaner. No stains and the stools still look brand new. I purchased two for my kitchen island and I use them for dining and working."

Mekita Rivas is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. She writes about everything from the best leather totes and books she can't put down to plants, podcasts, and politics. Prior to joining Cosmopolitan, she was a senior contributing fashion editor at PopSugar and Bustle. Her writing has been published in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, Women's Health, Refinery29, and others. She currently splits her time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Follow Mekita on Instagram, where you'll typically find a mix of her snapshots from fashion week and various editor travels.

Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.

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