The Ultimate Guide to Buying kitchen bar stools in 2023

If you are in the market to buy a new bar stool for your kitchen or bar room, there are a few things to consider to ensure your purchase is the right one.
Such as what is the perfect stool height for your bench?
What type of material is best for the stool seat?
Do you want buy a swivel stool, a metal frame, timber legs and so much more.

This guide to buying the best bar stools for your kitchen or bar will help you with your decision so hopefully you can enjoy them in comfort from day one.

Biggest range of bar stools

There is no shortage of options when it comes to bar stools - from modern and contemporary designs to traditional timber, fabric, metal, leather or velvet stools. Whether you’re looking for a swivel bar stool to spin around your kitchen or something more luxurious and elegant, there is a stool to fit your needs and your budget. In this article, we'll discuss the different types of available bar stools in Australia and how to choose the right one for your home.

Which Bar Stools are best?

Bar stools are a great way to add style, comfort, and convenience to any seating area. But when it comes to choosing the right bar stool for your home, it’s important to consider both comfort and style. The information below will hopefully help you decide which is the best bar stool for you?

Swivel Stools for your Kitchen Island

Everyone loves a good swivel. So why can't something such as sitting down be fun? 
Not just for fun, but stools that swivel are also convenient way to get in and out of your seat without moving the chair legs, which could potentially scratch your timber flooring. 
You can buy swivel stools with high backs or low back. 
The high back stools provide extra support to lean on. While the low back stools look a little more modern, but might not be quite as comfy.

  

The Modern Stool

Modern bar stools that feature sleek designs to suit the more upmarket style home. Usually with wire frames, they are less bulky and more streamlined and are known to come in some funky colours. They are usually designed for their appearance rather than for pure comfort.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to go with comfortable or modern style designer bar stools depends on the style of your home and your personal taste.

 

How to choose the best height stool?

Choosing the right height barstool is one of if not the most important factors in your decision making process. If the stools sit at your kitchen bench the ideal height you want is the same height as if you are seated at your dining table. Ideally you want your elbows to be comfortably resting on the kitchen bench-top as they would at the dinner table.

The space from the top of the stool to the top of the benchtop is about 24 - 27cm. 

The easy and smartest way work this out is to measure the distance from the top of your dining table to the seat of your dining chair. Of course this is assuming that that your dining chais are at the perfect height.

The optimal height would also be perfect for working on your computer which is where you might end up spend as much time if not more than eating meals.

Adjustable Height Kitchen Stools

For those looking for a more versatile option, adjustable height stools allow you to customise the seating experience according to your space and for each individual.

Gas lift Stools with adjustable height can take away the worry of getting the perfect height stool for your bench. You can simply pull the height adjustment lever and set the perfect height as you please.

Adjustable stools are also perfect for children so they can easily set their own height. Plus it will keep them entertained - forever!

Stools with Adjustable height provide the comfort and convenience of being able to adjust your seating position to suit your individual needs.

Unlike fixed height stools, adjustable stools are designed to accommodate a wide range of heights and can be modified according to the user’s preference.

Theres no need to worry about getting the perfect height stool, but it is still important to check the minimum and maximum heights of the stool just to be sure its not too high or too low.

 

What is the best seat material to choose?

There are a few options available here, but it shouldn't take too long to decide which one is best for you. Padded, wooden, leather and fabric materials all have their own unique benefits and drawbacks.

What bar stool materials are available and what factors you should consider when making your decision? If you’re looking for pure comfort, nothing beats a comfy thick padded seat. The padded stools can come in Fabric or leather or the more commonly used and animal friendly faux leather or PU Leather.

Timber stools have a classic and minimalistic look but can become a pain in the backside if you’re seated for a very long time.

Leather seats v Fabric seats

When it comes to choosing the right seat material for your stools you have four main options – leather, timber, metal or fabric. All materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to understand which one would be best for you.

Leather seats are more expensive than fabric seats but they are also much easier to clean and maintain. Leather is also known to be more durable and last longer than fabric, making it a great option for those who want a long-term solution. Fabric is softer and will stay cooler in hot weather so if you’re one to sweat on a hot summers day fabric might be the best choice for you.

What is PU Leather?

PU Leather is a type of artificial leather that has become increasingly popular in the fashion and furniture industry. It is made from polyurethane, a type of plastic, which makes it much more durable and flexible than natural leather. It looks and feels like leather, and can also range in quality.

PU Leather v Real Leather

PU Leather has the advantage of being cheaper than genuine leather, making it an attractive option for many people who want to enjoy the look and feel of real leather without breaking their budget. Faux Leather or imitation leather as it is also known, is also easier to clean and maintain, making it an ideal choice for those who want to keep their furniture looking its best.

PU leather is an affordable and more common alternative these days that offers some of the benefits of leather without having to pay a premium price tag. Not to mention the massive benefit of not harming any of those beautiful animals.

Regardless of which material you choose, both faux leather and fabric stools have their own unique advantages that can make them ideal choices depending on your needs.

Outdoor Rattan Stools

PU Rattan or Rattan bar stools are perfect for outdoor settings as they are lightweight and weather-resistant. They are typically dark brown or black in colour so they don’t show the dirt which will accumulate with time.

Ratan is a hard wearing plastic material usually with UV protection from the sun.

Should you buy cheap stools or pay more?

It is true that you get what you pay for with pretty much everything and bar stools are no different. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide whether to go for cheap stools or splurge on the best quality stools.

There can definitely be a difference of quality and price however the cheaper bar stools can still be decent enough quality to get the job done for every day use. As long as they look good and are strong enough to hold you and your family they will do the job.

When buying high quality stools you will buy paying for better quality materials and workman ship. Also the more expensive stools will be less common, so you’re less likely to see that same stool sitting in your home as three of your close friends kitchens.

 

Buying Bar Stools Online verse In store

Buying kitchen stools online is a pretty straightforward process and can give you a much wider selection than you would find walking the streets and shopping centers for hours, days or weeks to check them all out. The convenience of shopping online is much faster and gives you the best selection of stools at the click of a button.

Stools are relatively easy to shop for online and can generally be delivered within a few days to a couple of weeks tops.

It is always critical to check the return policy of the online store before ordering, just incase you don't like them and want a refund or an exchange. You MUST make sure the store will allow for change of mind not to mention their warranty.

Do your research and you’ll be fine

So make sure you measure your bench and think about the use for your stools before purchasing because no one wants to return a bulky piece of furniture you've ordered online if you don't have to.

Just ask yourself these few simple questions above and you’ll be enjoying a cold beer at your bar or breakfast with the family in no time.