Key takeaways
- Height: allow a gap of 25 to 30 cm between the stool seat and the bar or worktop.
- Size guidelines: 45 cm for a standard table, 65 cm for a 90 cm-high kitchen worktop, 75 cm for a one-metre-high bar counter.
- Three families: four-legged stools for stability, single-leg stools that are often adjustable, and bar chairs with a backrest.
- Materials: metal or chrome-plated steel, wood, plastic and woven resin, fabric or synthetic leather, and rattan. Maintenance depends on the chosen material.
- Budget: at Maison Pavane, entry-level designer bar stools start at around 90 euros for a set of two chairs.
Bar stools, an increasingly trendy seating option in the world of decoration and design thanks to the popularity of open-plan kitchens, bring a wonderful sense of conviviality and a trendy touch to your interior. Often used with a kitchen island, a counter or a small bar area, bar stools should of course be chosen according to the height of the associated furniture and the style you want to create in your room. And don’t forget comfort.
Choosing a bar chair involves several criteria: height, design, style and seat comfort. The subject therefore requires some thought, and our bar stool collections offer a wide enough selection to help you find the seat that suits you.
Choosing the right seat height, style, colour, the most comfortable shape for your intended use and the materials to favour. Follow our guide and all our advice to choose your bar stools wisely. At Maison Pavane, we are committed to advising and guiding you through a wide selection of bar stools for every style at affordable prices!
How do you choose the right bar stool for your indoor or outdoor space?
Seat height, style, material and comfort: these are the four criteria that guide the choice of a bar stool, whether it is intended for a kitchen island, a kitchen counter or an outdoor bar area. The following sections review each of these points to help you find the model suited to your room and its everyday use.
What are the different types of bar chairs and bar stools?
Three families of bar stools can be found in kitchens and bar areas: four-legged stools, single-leg stools and bar chairs. The difference lies in the base and whether or not there is a backrest, two factors that determine stability, height adjustment and seating comfort.
Let us first recall what a stool is: a low seat without a backrest or armrests. A bar stool follows the same definition and differs in its height, designed to be placed in front of a high table, counter or island.
The different types of bar stools:
- The four-legged bar stool: thanks to its four legs, it offers optimum stability. Very functional and practical, it also suits all styles of décor.
- The single-leg bar stool: the stool leg may be square or rounded. The height of this stool is generally adjustable. You may also find an anti-slip strip under the base for added safety.
- The bar chair: it additionally features a backrest that may be higher or lower.
What style and material should you choose for a bar or kitchen stool?
The style of the bar stool should match the room’s décor, while the material should suit the intended use: wood for an oak or raw-wood kitchen, metal or plastic for a modern kitchen, leather and fabric for a warm atmosphere, and rattan for a natural feel. As the kitchen is prone to stains, maintenance is just as important as appearance.
The bar stool should be chosen according to the room where it will be placed. The room’s décor determines the style of your stool as well as the height of the table it will accompany.
Do not overlook the base or leg of your stool which, in addition to being practical, can contribute to your interior décor. The base refers to all the legs and their structure beneath the seat. Some bar stools feature a height-adjustable leg.
Colour is an important criterion that changes the style of the stool. Ideally, choose a stool in tones identical or similar to those of your worktop, or choose a colour that contrasts completely with the room’s interior.
The choice of material also depends on the desired atmosphere. A wooden stool will blend perfectly into an oak or raw-wood kitchen. Conversely, a plastic or steel stool suits a modern kitchen. Leather or fabric stools, which are naturally more refined, give the room a warm character.
When it comes to maintaining a bar stool, this obviously depends on its material. The kitchen is a room where stains are common, so remember to take this aspect into account as well.
Materials available for bar stools:
- Metal or chrome-plated steel: for a more industrial atmosphere, thickness affects the stool’s weight. This material is easier to clean and durable, and is available in many colours.
- Wood: a noble material that blends into any décor. You can choose a raw or painted wooden stool, with several types of wood available, such as oak, beech, pine or spruce.
- Plastic: can be used outdoors as well as indoors and is often relatively inexpensive. Plastic bar stools offer many advantages. Also worth knowing, woven resin bar stools give a natural look while remaining easy to maintain.
- Fabric or synthetic leather: these are often padded and therefore more comfortable.
- Rattan: a rattan bar chair is both an exotic and convivial addition, found in many outdoor and indoor spaces.
What colour should you choose for your bar stool?
The colour of the bar stool should follow the room’s atmosphere: light wood and white for a Scandinavian style, black and brown for an industrial look, rattan and natural tones for a bohemian atmosphere, and yellow or black velvet for an Art Deco interior. If you are unsure, a neutral shade or transparent model remains the safest choice.
A neutral or vibrant colour for your bar stool? This will above all depend on the atmosphere you want to create in your room!
- For a Scandinavian style, opt for light wood and white.
- For an industrial look, black and brown combined with wood will work perfectly.
- For a bohemian atmosphere, rattan and light, natural colours are the ideal choice.
- For an Art Deco interior, choose velvet bar stools, from yellow for a burst of energy to black for understated elegance.
To make the right choice, consider the overall appearance of the room where you want to install your bar stools. If you are struggling to decide and do not want to add a strong colour, opt for a transparent stool or one in a neutral shade: it will add a discreet touch of elegance.
One foolproof tip: use one of the colours already present in your interior and repeat it. For a touch of originality, you can also dare to choose a completely different colour—green, orange, blue or yellow will bring cheerfulness to your space.
At Maison Pavane, bar stools come in a wide variety of materials and colours:
- Wooden bar stools and chairs
- Metal bar stools and chairs
- Bar stools for high tables (71–80 cm)
You can also choose different models in the same colour, or the same model in different colours. This choice will of course depend on the style you want to create in your space.
If your project does not involve a bar or island, stools are also available in a low version: discover our living-room and occasional stools, as well as our outdoor stools. For living-room seating with a backrest and armrests, take a look at our guide to choosing an armchair.
What features make a bar stool comfortable?
The comfort of a bar stool depends on five features: a footrest, armrests, a padded seat, a 360° swivel seat and a backrest. The higher the stool, the more useful the footrest becomes. A backrest, meanwhile, is essential for supporting the back during everyday meals.
To ensure comfortable use, some stools come with additional features:
- A footrest: especially pleasant for taller stools.
- Armrests: simply take their height into account so that the stool can be stored under the table or bar.
- A padded seat: makes sitting comfortable because the stool is less hard. A stool with a padded seat may have different finishes, such as leather, faux leather, fabric or synthetic textile. Its thickness indicates its level of comfort.
- A fixed or 360° swivel seat: makes conversation easier and allows you to find a less rigid position.
- A backrest: it affects the user’s comfort as well as the furniture’s appearance. A backrest is essential for supporting the back. It also makes the stool more visually prominent in the room.
- The option to fold the stool to save space. This does not provide immediate seating comfort, but offers everyday convenience if you need to save space in your home.
A backrest does, however, have a drawback: without one, the stool can slide completely under the worktop or counter, freeing up floor space and allowing you to add more seats when entertaining. This is the trade-off to consider before making your choice: a bar chair for comfortable everyday meals, or a backless stool for compactness and flexibility.
What height should you choose for a bar stool?
Bar stools mainly come in three seat heights: 45 cm for a standard table, 65 cm for a kitchen worktop and 75 cm for a one-metre-high counter. The right guideline is to leave 25 to 30 cm between the seat and the tabletop, or at least 10 cm above the knee.
For details on counter height, consult our guide: which bar stool height should you choose for your counter?
A stool’s height should be chosen according to where it will be used. For seating comfort, it is recommended to allow a gap of 25 to 30 cm between the stool seat and the surface beneath which it is placed. This provides at least 10 cm between the top of the knee and the lower edge of the bar.
For children, it is preferable to choose fairly low stools. Some stools can be adjusted using a gas lift generally located beneath the seat, allowing their height to be adapted to the user’s size. If you plan to use your stool in several locations, opt for an adjustable stool.
A few figures:
- 45 cm: this height allows you to eat at a standard table.
- 65 cm: perfect for leaning against a kitchen worktop, which is on average 90 cm high. It can be used by both taller and shorter people.
- 75 cm: this height is suitable for a bar table or counter 1 m high.
What budget should you plan for designer bar stools?
Entry-level prices for attractive, practical and sturdy designer bar stools, depending of course on the materials chosen, start at around 90 euros for a set of two chairs.
Before choosing your future bar stools, think carefully about how you will use them and measure the space where they will go. Remember to allow 25 to 30 cm between the counter and the stool seat, and that a bar chair is always more comfortable than a tall stool for everyday meals. After following this advice, all that remains is to treat yourself by browsing our dedicated collections!
FAQ: choosing the right bar stool
What is the difference between a stool and a bar stool?
Both share the same definition: a low seat without a backrest or armrests. The difference lies in the height. A classic stool is used as occasional seating on the floor, while a bar stool is used in front of a high table, bar or island, with a gap of 25 to 30 cm between the seat and the tabletop.
What stool height is suitable for a 90 cm-high worktop?
A stool with a 65 cm seat is suitable for a kitchen worktop that is on average 90 cm high. It can be used by both taller and shorter people. The general rule remains to allow a gap of 25 to 30 cm between the stool seat and the tabletop.
What is the difference between a bar stool and a bar chair?
A bar chair has a backrest that may be higher or lower, unlike a bar stool. This backrest supports the back and makes the seat more visually prominent in the room. A bar chair is more comfortable than a tall stool for everyday meals, but a backless stool can be stored completely under the worktop and frees up floor space.
What colour bar stool should you choose for a kitchen?
Choose a stool in tones close to those of your worktop, or a colour that contrasts completely with the room. The safest advice is to repeat a colour already present in your interior. A transparent or neutral model avoids any risk of clashing.
Which bar stool material is easiest to maintain?
Metal and chrome-plated steel are easy to clean and durable. Plastic and woven resin are also easy to maintain, both indoors and outdoors. As the kitchen is a room where stains are common, this criterion matters just as much as style.
What is the price of a designer bar stool?
At Maison Pavane, entry-level prices for practical and sturdy designer bar stools start at around 90 euros for a set of two chairs. The price then varies according to the materials chosen, from plastic to solid wood, as well as rattan and metal.
