Bar + Counter Stools
We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. Whether looking for a chic set of breakfast bar stool or mixing and matching wood counter stools for a dynamic kitchen, finding the perfect stools to buy for your space lets you highlight your style with a casual seating element. When you shop online at Lulu and Georgia, our well-designed and thoughtfully curated collection of stools and bar chairs are perfect for your look, offering the opportunity to elevate your space with a personal design statement.
Suppose your island or counter is a social anchor where your family gathers for everything from cooking and eating to projects and homework. In that case, comfortable kitchen stools are an essential part of your everyday routine. Perhaps you’re finishing a family room or den with a dry bar and want some mid-century modern bar stools or leather counter stools to complete the look. Or do you have a tall dining table that needs a set of high bar stools tailored to fit? Shopping stools for your home’s function, flow, and style is about finding pieces that seamlessly adapt to the space while reflecting and elevating your unique aesthetic.
Not sure what style of counter or bar stool you want to buy for your space? Don’t worry; we have you covered. Check out a few tips below for styling tips and inspiration for bar and kitchen stool styles as you shop.
When to Choose a Bar Stool or a Counter Stool?
One of the first things to consider when shopping for stool designs is which height you need—that is to say, whether you are looking for a bar stool or counter stool. Though you may notice these terms are used interchangeably as you shop online, there is an important distinction, and it has to do with height.
A bar stool typically has a taller profile with a seat height between 28 to 32 inches, ideal for breakfast bars and counters that are 40 to 42 inches off the ground. Counter stools have seats at 24 to 27 inches, tailored to a kitchen island or lower countertop about 36 inches off the ground. Though some stools are made for a particular scale, many kitchen stool designs come at either counter or bar height, letting you style the piece to suit your space.
How Many Stools Do I Need?
It's important to style the right amount, whether opting for the upholstered comfort of traditional bar chairs, the pared-down lines of a sleek black counter stool, or even a mixed and matched collection of wicker bar stools of seats to suit the space. Crowding a counter or table with too many stools can feel cluttered and cumbersome, while too few stools at a long counter can feel like an awkward afterthought.
The rule of thumb is to have about 30 inches of counter space for each stool. That provides the most seating while still leaving room to sit and stand easily. Remember to leave 2-3 feet of space behind your kitchen stools for foot traffic. If space is a concern, consider a streamlined, backless design for a look that feels bright and open.
Shopping Stools by Style
Whether matching your stools to your dining set or sideboard or opting for an eclectic approach with a mixed grouping, there are nearly endless options when you shop for kitchen stools and bar chairs. Here are a few of the styles we love to get you started.
Woven Bar Stools
Nothing refreshes a casual look quicker than woven bar stools. From the on-trend appeal of rattan counter stools to the coastal tone of a seagrass rush seat, woven and wicker bar stools are a great way to bring natural texture and an airy style to a laid-back space. The woven rope seat of our London Indoor / Outdoor Bar Stool is made from a synthetic cord so that you can style it as an easy-care kitchen option or as part of a patio snack bar.
Sculptural Bar Stools
If you’re looking to set off a modern kitchen or layer some signature appeal into a transitional space, sculptural bar stools are a great way to bring in a ton of style with a functional element. A statement-making angular silhouette or flowing frame can offer the perfect touch to set an artful tone. For a style that blends rustic notes with a modern edge, you might try a design like our Ashford Counter Stool. This black counter stool pairs a soft textural seat with a backless frame in a dark finish that highlights its sculpted lines—ready for easy impact.
Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools
Clean-lined oak bar stools or steel and leather counter stools can offer a mid-century feel to any look. We love an open-plan layout that pairs a mid-century coffee table or side table with similar bar stools to tie the whole space together. Don’t feel like you need to go all-in on this look. Subtle mid-century elements like stools can bring a refined edge to any collected aesthetic while blending well with other furniture for transitional appeal.
Minimalist Bar Stools
Pared-down wood counter stools or streamlined slim-iron frames can offer an elevating touch with understated appeal. We love the timeless quality of this Franklin Bar Stool with its solid elm round seat and splayed leg base. Versatile, high bar stools like this offer everyday appeal as a tall island or breakfast bar stools, plus they can effortlessly float throughout your space for dynamic seating when entertaining.
However you decide to style them, remember that stools come in various options—from timeless oak bar stools and rattan counter stools to swivel bar chairs and adjustable-height designs. So you can marry your aesthetic to flawless functionality. Bar stools and counter stools allow you to showcase your individuality with little touches of nuanced design. Loved ones and visitors can immediately get a sense of who you are by seeing how you style this essential seating feature into your kitchen, dining space, or a dynamic or outdoor lounge.
Lulu and Georgia Bar Stools + Counter Stools
When you shop online at Lulu and Georgia for bar and counter stools, you will find pieces that complement the style of your space while making it feel more elevated. No matter what you are shopping for, we have a selection curated by design style, materials, and color to choose from so you can find the perfect purchase for your project. Check out our Shop by Room page for more ideas and inspiration on how to best create stylish everyday living spaces.
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