Making an impact with barstools can happen in many ways, where they catch your eye as soon as you walk into the room and last in your memory long after you leave. This can be achieved by selecting an unexpected piece (think: bold shapes in a simple kitchen) or contrasting (think: black against a white kitchen or textured seat against a slick bench).
Pulling up a barstool to a kitchen bench happens many times across the course of a day in most homes. From a quick casual breakfast to overseeing homework or entertaining friends and family while meals are prepared, this often-overlooked piece of furniture can be a real workhorse. But for a seemingly simple item, they also demand a lot. They need to be comfortable, resilient, and aesthetically work with both the kitchen and most likely the other furniture in the open-planned space. With so many beautiful options available, we’re here to tell you they can become the “hero” piece of the kitchen, taking the view that they’re no longer accessories, but functional works of art. Here’s our guide to barstools...
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Kitchen by GIA Renovations - Featuring our Oliver Bar Stools
The first step to choosing bar stools for your home is understanding your budget and how much you have set aside to spend.
Kitchen by Steph and Gian, The Block 2023 Winners - Featuring our Koko Bar Stool
Take some time to measure your space to understand the seat height that you need - a rough guide is a 20-30cm gap between your countertop and the seat. Generally, a kitchen island bench is 90cm high and you would need a 66cm seat height. If your kitchen bar bench is 100cm plus you would opt for a 75cm seat height.
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Kitchen by Beck Space - Featuring our New York Barstools
On a very practical note, ensure the measurements of the bench will work with the barstool you select. While many measurements are standard, both with bench heights and barstools, the tape measure should still come out to ensure the stool will both fit and be comfortable to use. Consider the back of the chair too- do you want a back or are you happy with just the seat? How will the back of the seat height impact the look you’re trying to achieve?
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Kitchen by Darren Palmer - Featuring our Arch Barstools
It is easy to get carried away with style ideas when shopping around or looking for inspiration but it’s important to remember the space that you are buying for. Would bright and vibrant suit your home or a wooden, rustic style? Is your home decor modern and contemporary? A minimalist’s dream? A classic, traditional style, or other?
Kitchen by GIA Renovations - Featuring our Boomerang Stools
There are a diverse variety of materials used in our barstools from wood and metal frames to fabrics, vegan leathers, and rattan. For durability and long-lasting opt for a vegan leather or a performance fabric. Timber and rattan are also good options and can create a sense of warmth.
Kitchen by Sarah Jane and Tom, The Block 2022 - Featuring our Logan Weave Stools
We want materials to withstand the use they will receive- and when it comes to barstools, that can be often. We also want them to be in keeping with the look we’re trying to achieve. Each material lends itself to a particular style and adds another layer to the overall feel. For a harmonious space, you can try to reference an existing piece of furniture, such as a timber stain or rattan used elsewhere in the space. For the stool to become the real “hero”, it might require a bold choice, such as leather not found anywhere else in the room.
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Kitchen by Omar and Oz. The winning home on The Block 2022 -Featuring our New York barstools
Before you begin to look for bar stools make a list of your must-have features such as armrests, backrests, padded seating, and open weave, and keep these in mind when you are browsing. Consider how often you will likely use the bar stools and whether you would like padding on your seat for additional comfort. We offer a diverse variety of stools, so you will never have to compromise on your feature preferences.
Kitchen by Eliza and Liberty - The Block 2023 - Featuring our Button Bar Stools
It is easy to get carried away with style ideas when shopping around or looking for inspiration but it’s important to remember the space that you are buying for. Would bright and vibrant suit your home or a wooden, rustic style? Is your home decor modern and contemporary? A minimalist’s dream? A classic, traditional style, or other?
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Kitchen by GIA Renovations - Featuring our Rodos Kitchen Stools
When deciding on the number of bar stools that you need an easy guide is to allow for approx. 70 to 80cm per person when working out how many kitchen stools you can fit along your island bench. This allows a person to be able to sit comfortably and have space to enjoy their meal.
Kitchen by Three Birds Renovations, House Six Restyle- Featuring our Niko barstool
Kitchen by Cranberry Design- Featuring our Skal Kitchen stool
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Ines Kitchen Stools on the front cover of Australian House & Garden May 2023 House 15 by Three Birds Renovations
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Minerva Kitchen Stools in Olive Green
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Kitchen by McKimm House - Featuring our Cable Bar Stools
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Kitchen by Dunnw Design - Featuring our Anna Bar Stools
Kitchen by Kyle and Leslie, The Block 2023 - Featuring our Float Hole Barstool
Kitchen by Chris Carroll TLC featuring our Button Stools in Tan
New York Stools Australian House & Garden Magazine 2019
One of the biggest quandaries when selecting barstools is deciding if they should seamlessly work with the other pieces of furniture in the room or if they should sing to their own tune (while still working stylistically within the space). As they’re seen as an extension of the kitchen, it can be helpful to use that as a starting point rather than the rest of the room. You can then reference the material or style of the barstool by adding smaller pieces in the adjacent room- such as a leather ottoman, a rattan bowl, or a timber side table. You never know- the barstool may be the catalyst for a whole new interior design direction.
Kitchen by Coastal Styling for Kate Walker Interior Design - Featuring our Leah Bar Stools
Kitchen by Luke and Jasmin, The Block 2019 - Featuring our Lucas Weave Stools
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Kitchen by GIA Renovations - Featuring our Oliver Bar Stools
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Kitchen by Naz Designs - Featuring our Button Stools
Take your time while furniture shopping and feel free to explore various options. Get inspired by our Satara Styles or check out our Satara Stories to see what others have chosen.
Don't hesitate to seek advice from friends, family, or our friendly team at Satara. Contact us via (03) 9587 4469 or email us at sales@satara.com.au.
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