How To Choose Bar Stools + A Modern Roundup

Related blog posts:
–KITCHEN
–THE REVEAL: MY DIY KITCHEN!
–OUR DIY KITCHEN RENOVATION PLANS

I wish I could say that I’ve spent a normal amount of time trying to find the perfect bar stools to complete our kitchen renovation, but that would be a big fat lie. I’ve obsessed over them for months. Should I do a back? Metal… or wood? or both? That one’s too modern, too mid-century… too industrial.

I can’t say I have all the answers but here are a few things I’m thinking through that I think are important when choosing a bar stool for one of the most used areas in my home.

Do you have kids? How do they use them? I currently have small children that climb up on the stools and kneel on them to eat. A wide base is really important for safety with small children so there’s no This obviously doesn’t apply to everyone but it is something that should be considered.
Material Selection: Wood is obviously one of the easiest materials to maintain for long term durability. I also love metal and even a faux leather when it comes to durability with little ones. Rattan or woven materials can be great to add a textural element – but in my experience, crumbs can get caught in materials like this and might not be the best choice when you still have messy eaters at home.
Size/Width: Make sure and measure the area you have to work with before ordering stools for your seating. Stools can range from 15″-22″… that’s a huge difference! A general rule is to make sure and have about 6″ plus or minus for a comfortable seating arrangement… and aesthetics.
Height: Even with a back, height can vary widely on a counter/bar stool. Do you want the stool to tuck completely under your island? Taller backs can be beautiful in the right configuration but just make sure and look at the total height and where it will sit in proportion to the height of your seating.
Wood tones: Since a majority of stools have a wood element in them, it’s important to think about mixing wood elements in a space. I think it’s great to have contrasting wood elements in a room. One easy way to think about what will look good together is the undertones of the wood. Walnut, white oak and maple for instance… all have warm undertones and can look beautiful together. On the flip side, Ash, gray woods, and whitewashed woods all have cooler tones. I would stick with one or the other. A good place to start is in the undertone of your floor if you have wood flooring.