Low profile backs fit under the counter for a clean look and don't contact the edge of the counter. I've found several low profile stools that are very comfortable.

The ones with the lower back provide the proper stop for a person's behind, without being too high at the counter. It's a look we like.

If it's a swivel bar stool, the back can hit the countertop.

We gutted and renovated our condo kitchen last year (selfishly?) just for us. Being an open concept, kitchen & bar flow to the living room, so I didn't even want a separate table there. These swiveling chairs are comfy and match the openness of the bar perfectly.

need backs for sure!

I am definitely a fan of the backless stools for looks. Additionally, they may fit better tucked under a counter or an island. However, if you are going to be on the stool for long periods of time it's more comfortable to have backs on them. Personal preference, but keep in mind your use for the stools.

Without a back may be more versatile but for comfort give me one with a back.

I am not a fan of stools at all, with backs or backless. Metal or wood. I prefer none at all.

It depends on how the stools will look in the room. We started out with backs (because they are more comfortable), but the backs were visible above the island counter and, because the table and chairs were on the other side of the island, it created a "busy" look. Now we have sleek, industrial stools with no backs, and the look works much better in the space.

I'm beginning to understand why, almost 5 years after a kitchen remodel, I still haven't been able to commit to new counter stools -- even though the ones we have are horrendously uncomfortable! Too confusing.

Since we eat most meals at our kitchen bar, this is one place where function definitely trumps form. I would love minimal, backless barstools that push all the way under the counter when not in use, but the comfort of upholstered stools with good-sized backs is worth the trade-off. I bet there is another whole debate out there over four legs vs. heavy pedestal bottoms.

comfort for me too.I can't even sit on a bench seat or on the beach without a beach chair due to very bad back problems so I have to have backs everywhere. I am hoping when I get in my new build I won't be seeing the backs and become obsessed about them now I keep reading the comments about them

Either way, depending on your preference. But in any case no more than 2 stools. I just don't get why anyone wants all those stools perfectly lined up like you're at a diner.

We eat all our meals on the bar since I didn't want to have a table. Although the stools have low backs, i've never leaned on. Choose what's good for you!

We have six stools, but they are 2 to a side around an end of the island. We use them constantly. Too bad they are so uncomfortable. Storage would have worked better if we had just lined them up on one side, but it didn't seem very conducive to conversation or eating together. Or playing cards.

Backs are more comfortable. After an hour or so on a backless stool, I am looking for a chair or a couch to sit back and relax. Sitting for short periods is fine though.

We just remodeled out kitchen and we extended our island to include a counter high table - we went swivel with backs. They look great and they are great to sit on. Its a personal preference but are so happy with them. They are stainless steel with padding on the bottom and the back. By the way, we found them at a local dinette shop which was $400.00 less expensive on line. I would never buy a chair or furniture without trying it out first. My only point is everything isn't cheaper on line and it isn't necessary to buy everything online.

It depends on the style of the kitchen and who will use the barstools most, kids or adults. I've designed many with and without, I do not feel there is a rule, it applies to the situation.

My personal preference is with a back & swivel if possible!

Diana Bier: you are a designer, and you can't understand why anyone would want more than two stools at a kitchen counter? It's quite simple (and quite human), really: when one entertains (in real life, not catered fantasies), everyone wants to be in the kitchen with the cook, and multiple stools provide perfect places to perch.

Re backs & numbers, as I said above I'd love to have stools w/ backs but the passageway around our island narrows down on the DR end and backs make the stool deeper, so for us, it's backless. Re numbers, our 8' island has corbels underneath the countertop, which effectively divide the sitting side into thirds, so for us, it's 3 stools, 1 between and 1 on the outer side of each. W/o the corbels, we could easily seat 4, something I didn't think about when requesting the corbels. But I love them so am happy w/ 3 stools, which is probably enough for empty nesters considering my wife and maybe another will be on the cooking side.

I agree with so many of the other comments that say the space dictates which stool will work. Sure, I would prefer back support for comfort. But when we were looking at options for our peninsula, we recognized pretty quickly we needed to go with no back and a relatively shallow seat due to the space - which is also adjacent to the entryway (small 1950s house remod - no foyer). As an FYI, the cushions/padding on the seats are interchangeable - so you'll notice a pony cover in one photo and leather in another. I have a few different sets, depending on whether company involves adults or teens/kids, etc. So that has been a nice perk to the simple stool design...

Luckybrooky - Don't know about bar stools, but I DO know that the bottom of a wine bottle can chip an eased edge on a quartz countertop...don't ask how I know...

Ha Ha I won't ask but I'll try to be careful with chairs AND wine bottles.

After my new home was built, I purchased these outrageously expensive stools with backs and they are pretty much useless. I put so much time and thought into buying them and I got the ones with one big base because of a wood strip my builders put by the island....well with the wide base, I cant move the stools to a comfortable position and if you turn in the stools the backs hit the island. my husband hasn't been working, but as soon as he does I am buying backless stools with legs!

I'm choosing stools for a multipurpose family room knee-wall bar as we speak and it's tougher to choose than we thought.

We don't want big bulky furniture to hide the surface but we need to consider the size of guests, I've got some big buddies watching the game. Sturdy and stable is necessary but we'd like to slide the chairs under the surface when not in use.

It's behind the main sofa, in perfect position to watch TV. So for movie night, I think chairs with backs would be more comfortable.

Will keep looking and hopefully we'll stumble upon a chair with a great compromise.

Backs for the back support!

No bar stools at all! See no good use for them, really. Instead, we have the dogs' food and water bowls positioned along the base of our kitchen island. For us, it is a better use of the space!

We have been looking for months and trying to decide what would work best as we don't have a huge space and I don't want a cluttered look. Thank you everyone for your comments I realize now there are a couple of things I hadn't given consideration to.

tarna, we do the same. Cats' bowls on one side, dog on the other side and water bowl at the end. Then they are out of the way and don't get kicked.

debc25, exactly! They are safely out of the way there and not being tripped over. Except we only have dog bowls there and put the cats' bowls up on the dryer so the dogs don't eat all their food, lol.

I am planning to remove my unused bar from between my kitchen and small dining room to allow room for our dining table. However, if I must have a bar in a home, then the stools need to have backs to provide comfort and safety to my friends and family. If furniture isn't practical, safe, and inviting to those I love, it will not find its way into my home no matter how pleasing it may be to my eye.

Back to stools, our CKD referred me to a designer who makes custom stools for about same price as one sees online & in stores, and about 1/2 the price of the chic-y one sees.

well i prefer having a back support but as far as looks are concerned, stools with a back would be more formal and no backs would be informal. plus stools with no backs gives you the option of pushing them more under the counter to allow more space when not in use.

i like bar stools in a bar, but dislike them in a home. if they must be there, then i don't want to see them.

I prefer no backs or short backs that will slide under counter and out of the way. We frequently turn the island into a buffet for large gatherings and the stools do not get in the way.

No kids sitting on ours just old folks with bad backs and arthritis so def backs for us when drinking wine around while I cook.

Backs for sure. Stools with no back seem to be much less stable overall. Yikes.

We prefer a back as i have kids that do homework at the counter. we also have sufficient room to walk around.
i used the opportunity to compliment the wall color in my office.