Give Bar Stools a Fresh Spin
Built to flank kitchen islands or sleek worktops in homes, not public houses, today's stylish bar stools are the best seats in the house
When you are refitting a kitchen, bar stools can sometimes be a bit of an afterthought. Once you have waded through images of everything from cookers to kick boards, you may find you are glazing over a little by the time you come to pick a row of seats to line the counter. But the style you choose can make a big difference. It can add the finishing touch to a scheme or, if you’re not careful, stick out like a row of three sore thumbs. What’s more, bar stools need to be practical, comfortable and the right height for you and your kitchen. It’s a tall order, but these stylish rooms show how it can be done! Pull up a stool and read on…
Build a bridge
Although these stools are turned away from that vibrant central island, they actually form a clever visual ‘bridge’ between the bright orange and the more natural hues of the timber floorboards. The matt beige shade of these stools is an unobtrusive midpoint between the two, keeping the space feeling well thought out and workable.
Discover how to maximise a small dining space
Although these stools are turned away from that vibrant central island, they actually form a clever visual ‘bridge’ between the bright orange and the more natural hues of the timber floorboards. The matt beige shade of these stools is an unobtrusive midpoint between the two, keeping the space feeling well thought out and workable.
Discover how to maximise a small dining space
Show how grey matters
White stools would not make their mark in this pale kitchen, but grey picks up on the metallic and white tones. Grey is a surprisingly versatile shade for furniture and the sleek, liquid shine on this vintage pair of stools makes them a great addition to a kitchen that is compact, but intelligently thought out.
Get ideas for bringing grey into your home
White stools would not make their mark in this pale kitchen, but grey picks up on the metallic and white tones. Grey is a surprisingly versatile shade for furniture and the sleek, liquid shine on this vintage pair of stools makes them a great addition to a kitchen that is compact, but intelligently thought out.
Get ideas for bringing grey into your home
Keep it pure in white
A simple monochrome kitchen is less likely to date, making these bar stools a clean, simple choice. When you are trying out stools, don’t rush it: ensure the height is adjustable, so your legs fit underneath the counter comfortably and see that the back rest is a good fit and the foot rest is at the right height for you.
A simple monochrome kitchen is less likely to date, making these bar stools a clean, simple choice. When you are trying out stools, don’t rush it: ensure the height is adjustable, so your legs fit underneath the counter comfortably and see that the back rest is a good fit and the foot rest is at the right height for you.
Fade away
This sculptural stool is so refined that, at first glance, it’s hard to spot! In white laminate against a white counter, it keeps in the background, so that your eye is drawn to the garden beyond. A great example of not adding too many layers to a kitchen which is, after all, the last place you need extra clutter.
This sculptural stool is so refined that, at first glance, it’s hard to spot! In white laminate against a white counter, it keeps in the background, so that your eye is drawn to the garden beyond. A great example of not adding too many layers to a kitchen which is, after all, the last place you need extra clutter.
Give it a whirl
These capacious stools create an area where people can linger and socialise. Some stools are only fit for a quick perch, but this style is altogether comfier. The swivel option means guests can turn to one another, or you, while you prepare snacks or a meal. An all-round winner.
These capacious stools create an area where people can linger and socialise. Some stools are only fit for a quick perch, but this style is altogether comfier. The swivel option means guests can turn to one another, or you, while you prepare snacks or a meal. An all-round winner.
Work it in wood
Wood and chrome are a luxe mix for a bar stool, available in a range of styles. This set of stools with an inverted V back pick up the steely sheen of the cabinet handles and, more subtly, the angles of the pitched roof. A loft kitchen is an innovative idea, so almost ‘space-agey’ bar stools fit the brief. Always keep the architecture and surroundings in mind when choosing your seating.
Wood and chrome are a luxe mix for a bar stool, available in a range of styles. This set of stools with an inverted V back pick up the steely sheen of the cabinet handles and, more subtly, the angles of the pitched roof. A loft kitchen is an innovative idea, so almost ‘space-agey’ bar stools fit the brief. Always keep the architecture and surroundings in mind when choosing your seating.
Keep cool
These French stools were originally designed for a disco, but hit just the right note in an edgy but luxe loft space. The material is a great match for the concrete and exposed piping, giving a hint of factory floor style. Le freak, c’est chic!
These French stools were originally designed for a disco, but hit just the right note in an edgy but luxe loft space. The material is a great match for the concrete and exposed piping, giving a hint of factory floor style. Le freak, c’est chic!
See it through
Transparent stools are the clear winners in this scheme, letting the burnt orange shade on the kitchen island shine through. The material is also similar to the glass in this huge picture window, so it is worth considering using similar stools if your kitchen is in a glass extension. Not the easiest to keep spotless, see-through plastic seats do however mean less distractions from the main attractions in your kitchen.
Transparent stools are the clear winners in this scheme, letting the burnt orange shade on the kitchen island shine through. The material is also similar to the glass in this huge picture window, so it is worth considering using similar stools if your kitchen is in a glass extension. Not the easiest to keep spotless, see-through plastic seats do however mean less distractions from the main attractions in your kitchen.
Get into light industry
These industrial bar stools are bang on trend and help to define the kitchen area as separate from the more traditional dining space to the left. They are a nod to contemporary trends amid a fairly muted interior, providing a great example of how you can update a room with just a few choice additions.
Do you use bar stools at home? Let us know how you incorporate them into your living space in the comments below.
These industrial bar stools are bang on trend and help to define the kitchen area as separate from the more traditional dining space to the left. They are a nod to contemporary trends amid a fairly muted interior, providing a great example of how you can update a room with just a few choice additions.
Do you use bar stools at home? Let us know how you incorporate them into your living space in the comments below.
The design of Norman Cherner’s iconic Cherner stool shows how it’s done: a sculptural, sensual silhouette that adds grace to any scheme. And you just know that these stools would feel great to sit on. The rich tones of the timber don’t fight with the tasteful fittings, making a perfectly balanced arrangement.