Kitchen bar stools: 12 of the best

15 January 2023

A kitchen island is often the hub of the home, so give family and friends somewhere to perch with one of these stylish kitchen bar stools. Slot a couple of stools underneath a worktop, island or peninsula to turn it into a handy breakfast bar, or a causal spot for chatting over coffee or cocktails. Good Homes magazine picks out eight great designs for a sociable space, from grey stools with backs to colourful designs and Scandi wooden styles…

1. Jungle-print bar stools

Add a pop of colour to your kitchen home with these jungle-print bar stools from VonHaus. The Leighton features a plush velvet seat and slim black legs, with non-slip rubber feet to protect your floors. Perfect whether you’re enjoying an evening cocktail or a morning coffee. Priced £159.99 for two.

velvet bar stools with jungle-print seats and black legs in a kitchen with wall panelling and kitchen island

Leighton set of two velvet bar stools from VonHaus

2. Rattan bar stools

With a shapely curved seat, Dunelm’s stylish Nirvana rattan bar stool is handcrafted and finished with sturdy metal legs. The stools are available in two finishes – natural, ideal for a Scandi set up, and sleek, modern black. Priced £129 each.

black rattan bar stools with metal hairpin legs on a white background

Nirvana rattan stools from Dunelm

3. Colourful counter stools

For something a little different, the Turner Counter Stool from Gabriella James comes in a choice of fabrics, like the Tropicalia by Kitty McColl shown below. Each stool is made to order in solid English ash with an oiled finish. The soft button seat is designed for comfort while the bold graphic design will create impact in any kitchen. Priced £675 per stool.

colourful upholstery on two wooden stools in front of petrol-blue-painted cabinetry

Turner Counter Stool from Gabriella James upholstered in Tropicalia fabric by Kitty McColl

4. Ergonomic kitchen bar stools

Available in six colours with elegant ash legs, Cuckooland’s Zuiver Retro moulded stool by Albert Kuip looks great in a contemporary kitchen. They’re comfy, too, with an ergonomic moulded seat making them perfect for a quick perch or a day of working from home. Priced £470 for two.

Zuiver retro-style bar stools in pink by Albert Kuip from Cuckooland

5. Stackable seats

When you need to stick to a budget, B&Q’s rust-resistant Maloux bar stool is perfect if you’re after an industrial chic style, but a versatile pick for all styles of décor. They’re also stackable, making them ideal for multifunctional living spaces where you might need to tidy them away. Priced £25 each.

Industrial-style stackable stools with wooden seat and black-metal legs on a tiled floor

Maloux bar stool from B&Q

6. Velvet bar stools

For optimum comfort, Homescapes’ Eton velvet design have a soft-to-touch velvet fabric wrapped around a padded seat, complete with arm and foot rests. Available in five colours: navy, champagne, green, pink and grey.

Velvet bar stools in champagne and navy with black legs on a white background

Eton velvet design bar stools from Homescapes

7. Kitchen bar stools with back support

Simple and sophisticated, the Hay Soft Edge P10 bar stool from Nest comes in black, soft grey or white and is lightweight and easy to move around. Made from a durable powder-coated steel frame with polypropylene seat and back, it blends strong curves with slim steel legs for long-lasting comfort and support. Priced £191 each.

black bar stools with back rest in a room with wooden floors, wooden wall panelling and wooden table

Hay Soft Edge P10 bar stool from Nest

8. Oak saddle-shape stools

These weathered oak counter stools from Cox & Cox have a classic saddle shape. The simple, rustic aesthetic would be perfect for a country or Shaker-style kitchen. Available in a number of finishes, including black and greywash. Priced £295 each.

Weathered oak counter stools from Cox & Cox

9. Mustard yellow high-back seats

Add a splash of colour to the kitchen with Danetti’s Sawyer bar stool in a vibrant mustard yellow plastic design. Hardwearing and comfortable, thanks to its curved backrest, it features a sleek black looped leg and also comes in light grey, dark grey and teal. The mustard yellow looks great with dark blue cabinets. Priced £169 for two.

mustard yellow bar stools with high back from Danetti

Sawyer bar stool in vibrant mustard from Danetti

10. Scandi-style kitchen bar stools

Great for Scandi-style kitchens, B&Q’s Cooke & Lewis Shira white bar stool has solid beech legs and a practical wipe-clean seat, making it perfect for children. It comes with all the fittings and fixings for home assembly with a footrest that makes it comfortable to perch on for coffee or weekend brunch. Priced £40 each.

White Scandi-style bar stools with padded seats from B&Q

Cooke & Lewis Shira white bar stool from B&Q

11. Industrial-style perch

Ideal for Shaker kitchens and the industrial look, the Tall Clockhouse stool from Garden Trading combines a rustic raw oak curved seat with painted options in off-black Carbon or Natural for a more contemporary effect. A few of these under a wooden worktop overhang or breakfast bar looks stunning. Priced £160 each.

industrial style high perch seat with thick black legs and wooden seats from Garden Trading

Tall Clockhouse stools from Garden Trading

12. Black and gold seats

Go for the luxe look with Cult Furniture’s Camila kitchen stool. With a black metal frame with brass cross brace detailing, it’s topped with a comfortable plush black velvet seat, plus the footrest helps you sit in an upright position. The frame also comes as an all-black design while the saddle stool shape is ergonomic and suits all spaces. Priced £99 each.

Camila kitchen stool from Cult Furniture