Time for our regular 10 best series and this time we’re looking at the 10 best barstools. As ever I have tried to include a range of styles, colours and prices that will go in every home. I am asked a lot about bar stools and when you stick it into google you can see why – there are an awful lot of really horrid ones out there. I hope you will like this selection.
BROWN LEATHER BAR STOOL
£140
I have parked myself on this one on more than one occasion and found it to be very comfortable. I will say that if your island space is tight then a backless stool will give the impression of more space but if you have the room then this is the one. There is also one in a more chestnut shade of leather with black legs.
ROUGE BAR STOOLS
£258 (set of two)
The metal legs give an industrial vibe but the brass and red top make this a more elegant and grown up stool. The perfect way to add a splash of colour without shouting about it. If your kitchen tends towards the neutral, either dark or light – as most of them do – then this is a good way to liven it up a bit.
HAY ABOUT A STOOL
£169
A classic stool that comes in various permutations of black, grey and natural with either pale or dark legs. It’s unobtrusive and comfortable and will fit into any interior – even if it’s not a fabulous shade of teal. It’s also pleasantly bum-hugging without being too high which makes it more comfortable than the traditional flat seat version.
MUUTO NERD BAR STOOL
£385
If you love the Hay stools but wanted something a little more colourful then Danish brand Muuto might be the one for you. I’m a huge fan of the matching chairs which I would love in black around kitchen table) but these stools, which comes in green, black and natural shown above as well as pink, red, duck egg blue and two shades of grey, would bring a touch of muted colour to any kitchen. And I’m all about the muted, rather than the bright colour as you know.
RATTAN BAR STOOL
£190
Another stool with a low back but the rattan material means that it’s not too heavy and won’t dominate the space. The black legs also have an anchoring effect. If you have a wooden worktop and prefer natural materials (don’t want plastic stools) then rattan is a good way to go as it won’t fight with the wood – especially when there are wooden floors as well) but will, obviously, work colourwise.
SAYS WHO BAR STOOL
£99
A classic wooden bar stool that will work in any kitchen. The round seat will provide a good contrast to all the straight lines that kitchens have. This will travel from house to house or refurb to refurb, from kids’ room to kitchen and back again and it’s affordable.
WORKERS STOOL
£176
A heavyweight stool which curves gently to make sitting more comfortable. It has that fashionable factory look but is more refined for the domestic setting.
NY11 BAR CHAIR
£349
A leather bar stool that is simple in design and also completely classic. There are an awful lot of hideous leather stools at there – I think I’ve seen most of them in the last couple of days. This one is expensive, yes, but beautiful. You could have two of these and perhaps one plain wooden one – or vice versa – depending on how many you need.
METAL LAB STOOL
£55
My preference (and I stress it’s mine, it doesn’t have to be yours) is for a vintage style bar stool in a kitchen to contrast with all the sleek hi tech stuff and smooth surfaces. It’s the same reason I like to always include some wood – preferably old – in a scheme. These stools aren’t actually vintage – check the price – but they are perfect to bring in a little character and so affordable too.
KARTELL MASTERS CHAIR
£258
Now this last might be a tad controversial but I think it deserves a place in this round up. Firstly, it’s plastic and we haven’t had one of those. Secondly the see-through back means it won’t dominate the space in the way that high-back stools will. Now some people say that the chair version is legendarily uncomfortable. I have sat in one and thought it was fine. It’s less of an issue with a stool, however, as you won’t be leaning back in the same way. I like the look and the colour options but if you want one then you might need to go and find one and sit in it first to see if it works for you.
The rattan chair is very uncomfortable. I sat on it.
We have the Kartell Masters, chosen for their extreme light weight. Because there are cupboards tucked beneath the bar, the stools have to be moved out of the way every so often and these are a breeze to pick up and set aside. No problem with comfort once seated but the edge to cross bar (?) is quite sharp when climbing up.
Love this series of round-ups – and have a request! could we have a 10 best sofas?? I’m looking for a second sofa for our living room and am really struggling to find anything good in our price range. One I did like was a great 60s danish wooden number, but it was in an antique shop in distant spain, a second was the Ilse Crawford daybed for ikea but that’s been discontinued. Most others are too boxy & heavy looking… Help needed!
I have made a note….. coming up in April
I have sat on the Graham and Green rattan stool.
Do buy one if you want (depending on how long per sitting/ per day / per life you will spend on them):
1. Numb feet (10 minutes);
2. Painful backs of knees (20 minutes);
3. Early onset varicose veins in back of knees (about 30 minutes)…
Basically, very uncomfortable due to the metal frame which digs in to the back of your knees, if you are under 5′ 5″ tall.
However….that norr11 stool is worth any pain- just wonderful!
Thank you SO much! x
The brass stools in the first picture from Mia Fleur are gorgeous!
I dislike stools with backs unless the stool swivels. It’s impossible to do the bum/leg swivel thing and alight easily on stools with backs I also find that most stools are too high for the standard 900mm worktop height – no room for thighs to fit beneath the worktop. After a long search we found some perfect stools from Denmark with different height foot rests – perfect for the kids at the kitchen island as well as grown ups.
I’m not really a fan of bar stools at all. They are not much use to the old or the young. I’m waiting for the return of the kitchen table down the middle of the room with normal height chairs, where you can sit rather than perch.
The only one I like is Kartell. I’ve seen those chairs IRL and they are gorgeous. Very Art Nouveau.
I really hate to sit on stools with no back. Not comfortable. Our barstools are like chairs with longer legs.