We’ve got a good one for you on the blog today – The official MGD barstool & counter stool roundup! In any kitchen design, barstools or counter stools are a must if you have an island or bar space. They’re great for entertaining, quick meals, and chatting with the chef while they’re cooking dinner. The perfect stool can also set the tone or tie together your kitchen design. In other words, they’re important! So, today on our interior design blog, we’re sharing our favorite barstools and counter stools in every category, along with our guide to choosing the right stool. From wood and woven to leather and backless, we’ve got something for everyone! Keep reading for Mindy’s tips on when to use each stool style, and shop your favorites in each category below!
How To Choose The Right Stool for Your Space
Our barstool & counter stool roundup wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t quickly delve into the difference between the two. In short, it all depends on height (See what we did there?)! Barstools are generally 5-6″ taller than counter stools. You typically want about 12 inches between the top of your stool seat and your countertop, so be sure to measure your counters before ordering stools.
Once you’ve measured your space, you can start to narrow down your options. In most of our projects, we use counter stools because the kitchen counters are finished at 36″ off the floor, making a 24″ stool height the perfect fit. A few things to keep in mind as well – Consider both the seat height and the overall height of the stool itself to get an idea of how the scale will feel in your kitchen. For example, an upholstered stool might sit higher than a wood stool due to the cushioned seat. In addition, the most comfortable backed counter stools have a back height of 34″ or taller. If you’re trying to fill a space in a larger kitchen, look for a back height of 36″ or taller.
Wood Counter Stools
We’re kicking off our barstool & counter stool roundup with our wood category. Wood counter stools are durable and easy to clean, so they’re a great choice if you’re looking for something low-maintenance. They can also provide a pretty contrast in coloring against a paint grade island. Check out our favorite wood counter stools below!
Leather Counter Stools
Leather stools are comfortable and can elevate the look of your kitchen space, which we love. However, most leather will age over time and is prone to showing stains, scratches, and other types of wear. If you’re open to the patina of leather as it ages, these stools can be a great option for your space! Shop our favorite leather stools below.
Upholstered Counter Stools
As expected, upholstered stools are generally the most comfortable of all counter stools. With that, however, they’re also the most high-maintenance to care for, even in a performance fabric. Our advice? Look for an upholstered stool that has a removable seat cushion that can be easily spot treated or replaced if necessary. We’ve linked several of our favorite upholstered options, too!
Backless Counter Stools
Backless barstools and counter stools are great for smaller spaces, since they typically have the smallest footprint. However, backless stools are less ideal if you have little kids at home, because they can be less safe than their backed counterparts. If you’re looking for counter stools on a budget, you’ll most likely find the best affordable options in the backless category! Shop our picks below.
Woven Counter Stools
Last but not least, we have our woven barstools and counter stools. Woven stools are the most popular style we use in our client projects because they add such pretty color and texture to a neutral kitchen design. Another reason we love woven stools is because there are typically lots of different price points available, making it easier to “get the look” of a stool you love for much less.
Whew, that was a lot to get through! We hope you enjoyed our comprehensive barstool & counter stool roundup. Be sure to bookmark this post for the next time you’re in need of a stool, and send it to your friends if they need help finding the right piece for their space. For more dining favorites, head to our affiliate shop where you can now shop by room. From dining tables to bar cabinets, we’ve got you covered! Let us know in the comments what product roundup you’d like to see next on the blog, and thanks for following along!