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I bought a condo about a year ago and it has a peninsula in the kitchen (they’re like an island, but attached to your kitchen wall on one end). My last (!) apartment also had a kitchen peninsula and while I like the prep space and storage they add to a kitchen, I’d never had to consider what kind of seating would belong on an island or peninsula before.
I dove deep into offerings from Wayfair and other similar sites, searching for the kind of kitchen accessory that fit both from a style and function perspective. I knew right away that I wanted seating with a back, because I hate to sit for a long period of time balanced on a backless stool. But it’s not just your personal preferences that you need to consider when searching for kitchen island stools. I quickly learned that my peninsula was counter height, not bar height (apparently that matters!), which whittled down my search a bit as I looked for stools that would be the right height for the space.
Ultimately, I found stools that I actually really love and they made the move with me to the new place. From style to height to price point and materials, we’ve considered just about everything concerning the ideal kitchen bar stool to settle on a list of our favorites.
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Factors to Consider when Choosing Kitchen Bar Stools
When searching for kitchen bar stools, there are a few things you’ll want to make sure you consider. Measure the height of your island (or peninsula) counter off the floor to confirm you’re looking for stools that’ll fit correctly in your kitchen. You don’t want a stool that’s too high and makes it difficult for someone to comfortably and easily get into and out of the seat (as well as sit there for a bit) or one that’s too low and leaves you feeling like you’re sitting on the ground.
High-end home company Frontgate recommends that the seat of your stool falls about 9-11 inches below the counter. Once you know the height you’re working with, then you’ll be able to consider the aesthetic, features like a seat that spins or a stool with a back, price point, materials, and more.
How to Measure the Height of a Bar Stool?
Because the height on your stool is so critically important, you’ll want to make sure that you’re measuring correctly. According to Frontgate, counter heights generally range from 34-36 inches, while wet bars and high-top tables generally range from 40-42 inches tall. Because you’ll want to make sure that there’s about 9-11 inches of clearance between the seat of your stool and the bottom of the counter, bar, or table, starting with measuring your counter will give you a good jumping off point for your bar stool search.
After that, considering the layout of your kitchen can help further lead you in the right direction. If the space is tight, you might want smaller or narrower stools, while if your space is much larger, you may want a stool with a larger footprint to better fit the scale of the room.
How Many Bar Stools Do You Need?
Once you’ve determined the approximate size of the stools you need, you’ll want to figure out how many stools you need. There are a few different factors to take into consideration when trying to make your way to a number. The size of the stools will likely affect how many may fit in the space that you have. The price point and your ultimate budget can be a factor. How you’re going to use the stools can also play a role. If you’re going to use that area as your primary dining spot, you’ll likely prioritize comfort more than if they’re going to be used more sparingly.
When you’ve got your number, you’re ready to move along to style considerations.
Styles of Kitchen Bar Stools
Bar stools come in a wide variety of styles, materials, and the like. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and modern or more rustic, there’s a kitchen bar stool out there for you. Here are a few of our favorites:
Modern
A modern aesthetic usually focuses on a more minimalist look. The lines are simple and materials can range from metals to acrylics and beyond. Modern bar stools fit especially well in houses with a more contemporary style.
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Industrial
Industrial style often uses metals and features exposed hardware and accessories. You’ve likely seen this style before in various bars, restaurants, breweries, and the like. It’s one of those design styles that you know when you see.
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Traditional
Traditional style often has a sort of “quiet luxury” feel. These stools usually have upholstered seats, which can make a stool more comfortable (but if it doesn’t go with your aesthetic, it’s still not the right choice for you!).
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Rustic
Rustic designs embrace materials like wood and rattan, making for a playful and casual aesthetic. If your style leans more farmhouse, this is likely the vein you’ll want to go in when it comes to kitchen stools.
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Mid-century
Mid-century design focuses on the prevailing aesthetic from—you guessed it—the middle of the last century: the 1950s and ‘60s. The furniture often includes tapered legs and more organic lines—think curvier, more whimsical pieces. These bar stools will undoubtedly double as conversation starters.
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Discover Your Next Favorite Finds in Our Homeware Collection
Now that you’ve figured out which kitchen island stools might fit best in your home, you’re ready to branch out and tackle other areas. Scroll our favorite homeware products for decor inspo for all over your home.
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