Counter Stool Hunt

By Kate Riley June 23, 2015

I’ve just completed my search for two counter stools for the kitchen remodel in Las Vegas, it was more difficult than I thought, there were so many considerations! Should they have a back or be backless? Should they swivel? Should they be wood or metal, upholstered or not… what color if so? It took me hours to finally settle on two that would look right in the space.

In my research I came across several favorites, at first I was thinking just a basic metal stool, these work in any style kitchen from farmhouse to industrial like this.

industrial style kitchen black metal stools wood countertops

behance.net

industrial style counter stools

chester / ansley / metallic

 

You can’t go wrong with wood counter stools, they add warmth to a light or all white kitchen. How beautiful are these modern shapely counter stools and those Arteriors pendants are ridiculously cool too.

shapely wood counter stools

beth haley design

modern wood counter stools

grotto swivel / bay walnut / nuevo satine

Then I thought perhaps a pair with a contemporary shape?

contemporary barstools

adam fortner

modern white counter stools

kartell masters / akito set of two / vapor acrylic

 

Tropical style or a fun color perhaps?

tropical style outdoor counter stool

heaven’s gate

tropical colorful counter stools

brasserie / rattan / puerto

 

I always loved cafe style stools, so charming with their European flair.

cafe style counter stool

trad home mag

bistro style counter stools

riviera / kipnuk / parisian bistro

I finally settled on a Chippendale style (always a favorite!) with an openwork back like in the kitchen space below. I love these stool by jonathan adler but ha ha ha ha ha insert crazy laugh they’re so expensive so I went in search of something similar but more affordable, and the ones I found I like better because they swivel.

green and white kitchen chippendale counter stool

williams sonoma home

I ended up purchasing these swiveling terra stools with a faux bamboo motif from Frontgate with a 20% off offer code (see image below on the left), but I’ll likely recover the seats with a different fabric that is more tenant friendly.

chippendale counter stools

terra swivel / dayna / polywood

 

But who says your counter stools need to match in style or color?

mixed counter stools

casa abril

mixed counter stools farmhouse

the design files

three color counter stools

hk living

A medley is eclectic and fun!

18 comments

  1. The hunt for counter stools can be so difficult. I have stalled out on the same thing in my house. Luckily, my little one is just at the age where he would fall off so I have given myself some time to figure it out. I go back and forth on how closely the stools need to tie with the eating nook chairs. Do you think tone of wood is enough? Would you mix periods of time? In your house it would look ultra-hip and cool. In mine, it might look like I had these things left over from college. It’s a hard call. Love the round-up.

    • I think you can mix styles Nancy but the stools should tie to something else in the space so they don’t look like an afterthought. :)

  2. Great pick. It can be so hard picking out stools. I really wanted wood ones from crate and barrel and all of the reviews of them easily scratching scared me. I looked for similar at other places but, again the reviews had me second guessing everything. I just ended up getting some classic (but inexpensive) saddle ones for the time being so we have something to sit on but I might check out some of your picks now. Thank you.

  3. I just had the same experience and chose the same stools for my beach condo. It is difficult to select stools. I loved so many options but, in the end, wanted a swivel and a back. This is a great article with a collection of stools for everyone’s taste/style. Thank you for putting this together.

  4. Picking out stools is sooo hard. A lot of them look great but when you try them, they’re not comfortable at all :(

  5. What style would you consider the rooms from Casa Abril with the mix and match stools.

  6. I vote for a swivel with a back. We live in our chairs! Love those Frontgate stools you settled on. I hope they still have them if and when we want to switch out to a different style. Those are purrfect match for us and our great room.

    great round-up here!

  7. Lovely collection of bar stools you’ve put together. Personally, having a back is very important to me, but sometimes that limits the choices when I come across a very unique/artsy piece. Perhaps the eclectic style is the way to go.

  8. These are all such beautiful options – I love the mismatched look especially. I wish my kitchen had enough space for an island with barstools.

  9. Counter Stools! More complicated than one might think. I could have never ordered online without actually sitting in them, I bought mine, in the 90’s, and literally sat in EVERY style available at every price point in Houston, TX! Most were BIG $$$ and completely uncomfortable…you could sit in mine all day and they were amazingly affordable!
    The perfect ones (that I still love and need to replace/repair) were made in Thailand, I think, and came from Pier One: here’s the “blueprint”…..
    Thin “round” iron frame w natural cane seat and back; a visually low-profile chair w these NECESSARY features….footrest, arm rest, a deep enough seat that hits comfortably on both back of legs and mid-back, the backrest angles correctly and was/is perfect for my now-grown sons and husband!! They are our main kitchen chairs, now.
    I have added cushions easily replaced over the years!

  10. D.G. I bought my rattan bar stools almost 30 years ago from Pier One and they are still holding strong. I was glad to see similar ones in this post so as it turns out they were a good choice.

  11. Bar stools, counter height or bar height, are in abundance on Craigslist. At least here in San Diego. I’ve come across dozens and purchased many for my indoor and outdoor kitchens. I’m not trying to hijack your post here but I think your readers would like to know that Craigslist is a great option. This seems like it would have been an awesome opportunity for one of your incredible diy’s that your long time readers have loved so much. Really missing the “cent” in Centsationsal Girl.

    • Hi Ami, I agree, Craigslist is a goldmine. For this project it made more sense to purchase due to my time crunch.

  12. I love those first stools, so many options!! Omy I can see why it was difficult to narrow down, I really like the ones you went with classic, simple and fresh :)

    Lauren Baxter | LB Designs
    xx

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