Counter and bar stools are an often overlooked way to bring in style, color and texture to an otherwise lackluster kitchen. While the functional aspect dictates the size of the stool (24″ for counter height and 30″ for bar height), the aesthetic aspect leaves a lot to be decided before purchasing stools for your own kitchen.
With a little extra effort, it’s quite possible to choose stools that are comfortable, colorful and durable and also contribute a tremendous amount of style to your kitchen. Whether the desired look is fun and casual, serious and sedate or interesting and unique, don’t ignore the potential impact of a great-looking counter stool! For a few examples, read along for a few of the counter stools that we’ve used and why we used them:
SLIPCOVERED COUNTER STOOL
For a fun, casual look that’s easy-care, we choose slipcovered counter stools in washable fabrics. For the lakefront chef’s kitchen at left we chose a stool from Vanguard Furniture with a custom lace-up slipcover and different fabric underneath for a seasonal change. The bold blue color looks great in the all-white nautically-inspired kitchen.
For the kitchen of a family of five at right, we used a washable gray striped slipcover on Lee Industries stools that blends with cerused gray caned side chairs and slipcovered host chairs. The white finish contrasts nicely with the dark island in this French Country inspired home.
MODERN WOOD COUNTER STOOL
For a contemporary, unique look, we choose counter stools made of beautiful wood in iconic shapes. To add a modern touch to the classic kitchen at left, we used a light burl wood stool from Worlds Away, upholstering it in a charcoal pebbled vinyl for an easy-care, color- and texture-rich look in this slightly modern home.
The more modern kitchen at right has a minimal, monochromatic decor so we chose the iconic Cherner counter stool that has a sculptural mid-century look. The natural walnut looks great against the warm black cabinets and quartzite counters and ties in the natural wood ceiling beams.
CLASSIC UPHOLSTERED COUNTER STOOL
For a soft, serene look in a more traditional home, we choose classic shapes in coordinating fabrics and wood finishes. The historic house at left received an addition requiring a load-bearing column at the original back of the house so we used a dark walnut finish and textured fabric counter stool from Lee Industries to contrast with the white cabinets and the new column.
For the kitchen at right, we chose a versatile rounded swivel stool by Lee in a sky blue that works with the existing warm countertop colors and will also work in the soon-to-be retiring clients’ new home at the South Carolina coast.
SLEEK MINIMAL COUNTER STOOL
For an area that has little actual or visual space, we choose small, minimal counter stools that have a strong style impact. The kitchen at left was remodeled with a vintage English Country look but had little actual space for the three needed stools and little visual space due to the imposing structural columns so we chose small brass stools with a vintage industrial vibe from Made Goods.
The kitchen at right is part of a small, open-plan space in a small cottage that has very little dining space so we chose clear acrylic counter stools from Gabby that would not visually clutter the area but still provide ample seating.
ALL PURPOSE COUNTER STOOL
For a versatile counter stool that works anywhere, we often choose this favorite from Lee Industries. The small 18″ wide stool fits almost anywhere and has a wood frame with chamfered detailing and large, spaced nail heads, offering lots of custom combinations. For the kitchen at left we used a white wood finish and white nail heads with a fuschia Crypton fabric to constrast with the dark navy island and tie in the desired pink color.
For the kitchen at right we used a subtle wool windowpane plaid fabric, antique brass nails and a light washed wood finish to look great with the dark island and existing granite countertops in the transitional English-style house.
