The 11 Best Bar Stools

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Our stylish picks include outdoor, backless, and swivel options you’ll love.

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As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. So, when furnishing the room where you’ll spend countless hours cooking, eating, and entertaining, consider the addition of bar stools to a kitchen island or breakfast counter. Not only will bar stools increase your seating options, but they’ll also help create a more social and relaxed environment.

“Bar stools are such an important part of a design, as they represent where people gather and relax for extended periods of time,” says Meagan Whalen, an interior designer at JL Design in Nashville.

In addition to Whalen’s expert insights, we also consulted with interior designer Cyndy Cantley of Cantley & Company and researched the top bar stools on the market to determine our favorite picks based on each one’s design, style, comfort, and overall functionality. Keep scrolling to see our complete list of the best bar stools for every home and kitchen space.

This bar stool is a high-quality choice, handcrafted by artisans and with a hand-applied finish.

Strong cleaners may damage the finish.

There’s no need to choose between modern and traditional thanks to this Williams Sonoma stool, which Cantley notes is perfect for transitional designs. “The Williams Sonoma Baldwin Stool comes in several wood colors and has a seagrass seat and beautiful clean lines,” she says.

With colors like matte black and heritage gray, it’s a fit for a variety of interior decor styles. We appreciate the high-quality craftsmanship, supportive back, and how you can see the wood grain even through darker finishes.

Material: Oak and seagrass | Dimensions: 21.75 x 22.5 x 36.25 inches | Seat Height: 24 inches (counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

It’s a great price for four stools, and they require little maintenance.

They might not be as comfortable as a stool with a back and require some assembly.

These Nathan James Barker Backless Counter Stools come in a set of four, and since they won’t take up much space, they’re fabulous for fitting in several people at a smaller counter setting. Cantley loves that the faux leather is so easy to clean and enjoys the metal frame of the footrest. She agrees that these are a steal price-wise, as well. You will need to assemble them, however, but it should only take about an hour.

Material: Pine and faux leather | Dimensions: 16.9 x 24.8 x 14 inches | Seat Height: 24.8 inches (counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 4

The design of these stools is striking, and they come in a rainbow of colors.

This style isn’t a fit for some homes.

Liven up your kitchen or dining area with this unique counter stool. “Retro is fun in a kitchen, and LuLu and Georgia’s Temi [stool] is fully upholstered in a performance velvet, yet contemporary with soft, clean lines,” says Cantley.

The fabric is stain-resistant, and the metal footrest means that you don’t have to worry about shoes staining the stool’s colorful fabric. And speaking of color, you’ll have plenty to choose from: Blue and mostaza are super bright, while forest and taupe are more subdued.

Material: Steel, foam, and polyester performance upholstery | Dimensions: 18 x 21 x 36 inches | Seat Height: 24 inches (counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

These stools are available individually or as a set of two and soften further as they age.

They take up more space than some other options.

Relax in style, and move with ease in these Pottery Barn swivel counter stools, which come in two different seat finishes. They’re a great choice if you’re looking to spend more time at your counter, like when eating meals or doing paperwork, versus smaller stools that are best suited for a quick snack or drink. Their care only requires an occasional cloth swipe, and the armrest is a nice height — tall enough for a resting position, but low enough to not get in your way if you’re eating.

Material: Wood and seagrass | Dimensions: 23 x 24 x 37.5 inches | Seat Height: 27 inches (counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1 or 2

You can choose the upholstery material, with everything from vegan leather to basket weave available, and it comes in three metallic finishes.

It’s the priciest of our selections.

The options are plentiful with this upholstered stool from Williams Sonoma, including whether you want it at bar or counter height. The fabric selection is vast, with five shades of genuine leather and several other options to choose from, and you can pick from four base finishes. We appreciate its modern look, that it can swivel 180°, and that it is certified both for its low level of VOCs and fair trade factory practices. The seat is on the larger side, making it a better selection for those with a bigger counter or bar to relax at.

Material: Steel and premium upholstery | Dimensions: 22 x 31.5 or 37.5 inches | Seat Height: 25 or 31 inches (bar or counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

These outdoor bar stools are stackable and fair trade certified.

Some colors cost more than others.

Because not all parties should be confined to the indoors, the West Elm Slope Outdoor Bar Stool gives you that coveted high-top vibe right in your own yard. This stool comes in seven different colors that you could even mix and match if desired. And thanks to them being stackable, they’re easy to store when not in use. West Elm suggests storing them in a dry location, away from any serious weather, so that they hold up as well as possible over the years.

Material: Steel | Dimensions: 19.5 x 22.75 x 39.75 inches | Seat Height: 30 inches (bar height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

This stool will be more comfortable than a standard backless counter stool, and there are matching stools with backs.

Unlike other materials, leather can be more difficult to care for in a kitchen setting.

Comfy thanks to its saddle shape, which is generally considered easier on one’s back than a flat backless stool, we also love the leather stitching on the Crate & Barrel Folio Viola Leather Backless Counter Stool. You can purchase it at both counter and bar heights, and it’s also available in a version with a back, so you can mix those with the saddled, backless option if your bar area isn’t large enough for only stools with backs. It comes in ten leather shades, including fun colors like whiskey and merlot.

Material: Steel, plywood, and leather | Dimensions: 18 x 16 x 24 or 30 inches | Seat Height: 24 or 30 inches (bar or counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

The mix of three materials used in these stools is unique, and the back isn’t too tall.

Unlike many other options, there are no customizations available.

Elegant and understated, Cantley says that the mix of materials in these bar stools makes her feel like she’s at the beach. The Ezra Stool is indeed a wonderful choice for a beach location, with its seagrass back, leather seat, wooden base, and overall light and airy color scheme. It also comes as a dining chair, for those who like all of their kitchen and dining furniture to match perfectly. Assembly is required, but white glove delivery service can let you off the hook with that task.

Material: Rubberwood, seagrass, and leather | Dimensions: 20 x 19.2 x 34 inches | Seat Height: 26 inches (counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

The fabric piping gives this stool an upscale look, and it’s a great combo of modern and classic styles.

A light seat color is difficult to maintain in messy situations.

“For very classically designed kitchens, Pottery Barn’s Windom Stool is fully upholstered and gets its inspiration from a captain chair, which is always comfortable,” says Cantley. The changes Pottery Barn made, such as padding the backrest, serve to create a more comfortable version of the classic chair. It’s made in both counter and bar heights, so it can fit in no matter what height your kitchen island is. Plus, it’s customizable in over two dozen made-to-order fabric and color choices.

Material: Rubberwood and upholstery fabric | Dimensions: 22.5 x 21.5 x 38.5 or 43.5 inches | Seat Height: 26.5 or 31.5 inches (bar or counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

This stool is handcrafted in a classic fashion, with an equally classic look.

It may not be the most comfortable choice.

If you want quality craftsmanship and a classic design, the Williams Sonoma Ton 811 Counter Stool delivers on both fronts. Artisans built these using mortise and tenon joinery, which is a way of making extremely strong joints with the wood. The combination of dark wood with pale cane also makes for an interesting visual presentation, and the wood is PFEC-certified. It’s worth noting that this stool is European in style, meaning it will be slightly smaller than standard North American stools with backs.

Material: Beech wood and cane | Dimensions: 18 x 21 x 36.25 inches | Seat Height: 24 inches (counter height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

This stool has a unique design, with a square shape and a mix of fabric, cane, and wood.

The high sides could feel confining to some.

While it’s also available in counter height, we love the look of the Pottery Barn Lisbon Cane Stool in its full bar stance. It’s a retro choice, like the Temi stool, but this one errs more on the mid-century modern side as opposed to the Temi’s more pop art vibes. The brass finish on the footrest adds an extra touch of detail to the mix, which is already lively between the mixed fabric, wood, and cane materials. If you want more of this look, the color scheme, materials, and design are also available in everything from dining to desk chairs.

Material: Parawood, cane, brass, and upholstery fabric | Dimensions: 23 x 22 x 43 inches | Seat Height: 30 inches (bar height) | Adjustable: No | Number in Set: 1

Bar stools are typically six inches taller than counter stools. As for which to choose, Cantley says that “the goal is to allow enough leg room to sit comfortably. Allowing 10 to 12 inches between the top of your seat and the bottom of the table or countertop is typically ample.”

“It is important you have room to move your legs comfortably and cross them,” Whalen says. On average, bar stools are between 24 and 33 inches tall at seat level. (Overall height varies depending on whether the stool has a back or not.) What height you should go with ultimately depends on how high the counters are where you’ll be placing the stools.

Your stools should ideally coordinate with the rest of your decor and furniture. “Decor should work with your personal style and interiors,” says Cantley. She notes that there is no shortage of stool styles. “Whether it is traditional, contemporary, minimal, or anything you can dream, it is available,” she says.

Whalen recommends considering the material and color of your countertops and cabinets. “I like to choose a design that contrasts with the cabinets and doesn't try to compete,” she says.

“Fully upholstered stools with arms and a footrest are much more comfortable than a wooden stool,’ says Cantley. It’s also good to try out your options in person if possible. “It’s so important to really think about how you will use the area and hopefully sit in different styles before making this decision,” she says.

Deciding between having a back versus no back on your bar stool is mainly a matter of personal preference. The former offers additional support, so it’s more comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. They’re also safer if someone is leaning back on them. On the other hand, backless bar stools take up less space and can be tucked under counters.

“Non-upholstered and backless are used more where a bar stool is needed just for function and where people aren't spending extended periods of time in that place,” Whalen says. “Backless bar stools also work better in smaller spaces because they make it easier for people to get in and out and can fit more seamlessly in a space.”

Wood is a standard for many bar stools, but you also have options for them to be upholstered or covered, and metal options are available as well. As for which material to choose, Cantley says, “Leather ages beautifully but does show wear. Performance [fabric] is great, and some can be cleaned with Clorox (even velvets!). Slipcovers can be removed and washed or sent to your cleaners.”

“I like to leave a minimum of 24 inches for each barstool,” suggests Cantley. She adds, “Things to consider are the width of the actual stool, if they have arms, and if they swivel. If your island is 10 feet long (120 inches), you could comfortably seat 4 to 5 people, depending on the size of the stools.”

You’ll want options that go together well but aren’t a perfect match. “If you are lucky enough to have a table and island seating in your kitchen, the chairs and stools should coordinate but not match," Cantley says. "It is your personal kitchen and not a bar or rental house. Consider wood choices and fabric or leather that work together but are not identical.”

A stool with a back and arms is more comfortable than one without. However, you want stools that work for their use. “Bar stool comfort is based on how you use the space,” says Cantley. “If all your dining will be at the island, the stools need to be comfortable enough to linger after the meal,” she adds.

Whalen says that how much you should spend on bar stools really depends on your needs and the function of the chairs. “If the bar stools are going in a highly used space, then I would recommend investing in comfort and design, as they will get used and seen often,” she says. “For less-used spaces, such as a secondary bar, I would recommend spending less, as bar stools can be tucked away under the countertops in spaces like this.”