Types of Bar Stools
Get matched up with the best bar stools for you.
With so many types of bar stools available, it can be hard to pick the right one for your needs. Whether you want a bar stool for your kitchen counter, island, or home bar, read our guide to learn how to pick a design that’ll complete your space.
1. Pick a Back Design
Full Back: Bar stools with full backs are some of the most supportive, comfortable counter chairs to sit in, but also some of the most imposing upon your space. Because of their high seat backs, these stools look more like tall chairs than your traditional bar stools. They offer unrivaled back support and might be better for children, as they decrease the likelihood that their occupant will slip backward. That said, their seat backs prevent them from being pushed fully under a countertop and might take up extra space in your kitchen or bar.
Low Back: Low-back bar stools are the perfect medium between full-back and backless bar stools. These counter chairs have subtle backs that often conform to the shape of one's back to provide adequate support. They don't provide quite as much support as full-back bar stools, but are a considerable choice if you like the security a seat back can provide. Many low-back bar stools can't be completely pushed under countertops, but some are low-profile enough to make the squeeze.
Backless: If you're looking for classic, lightweight, low-profile bar stools, backless stools are likely the best bar stools for you. As the name indicates, this bar stool style doesn't offer any back support, but can be easily positioned and stored beneath a table or countertop. If you have a small space and worry that full- or low-back bar stools might look too heavy beside your countertop, backless bar stools' humble silhouettes make them an excellent choice.
Square: If you have a minimalist or industrial kitchen or bar, bar stools with square seats might be the ideal bar stools to complement the rest of your space. That said, these modern bar stools are sleek and sturdy and can make great additions to any kitchen.
Round: Commonly found on rustic full-back bar stools and retro backless bar stools, round bar stool seats are comfortable and cute. Round seats offer you a bit more freedom with where you position your legs as you sit, which can be a valuable feature for unconventional sitters or those who deal with leg discomfort in certain positions. One important thing to note, though, is that upholstered round seats can be a bit slippery.
Saddle: Saddle-seat bar stools are bar stools with curved seats that dip lower in the center to provide an extra level of security and comfort. These counter stools usually have rectangular seats but can come with unconventional seat shapes as well. Saddle seats have many proven benefits for the body; chief among them is pain alleviation in the back and neck. If you're interested in backless bar stools but are concerned about back pain, saddle-seat bar stools are some of the best bar stools to choose.
Bucket: Similar to saddle-seat bar stools, bucket-seat bar stools are designed to cup their occupant's behind to provide additional comfort and support. Where saddle-seat bar stools have a more straightforward shape – a rectangle that curves down at the center – bucket-seat bar stools are a little more complex. Their seats are cup-shaped. Bucket-seat bar stools have the same pain-alleviation benefits as saddle-seat counter chairs, though some might be considered a bit more comfortable.
Tip!
Check out our guide Types of Bar Stool Materials for tips on choosing the right seat and frame materials to complement your home.
3. Select Your Base Design
Four-Legged: Common of full-back and low-back bar stools, four legs are the most sturdy and traditional leg styles available. Many four-legged bar stools have reinforcing bars between each of the legs that double as footrests for added comfort.
Pedestal: Pedestal bar stools stand on one central leg that is supported by a broad, flat foot. Pedestal legs are typical of salon-style or retro diner-style bar stools. Their pedestals often have ring-shaped footrests affixed to them.
Sled: If you have an eye for all things industrial or glam, bar stools with sled-style legs might be the best bar stools for you. They typically have four legs that conjoin at the floor, though the specific design varies from bar stool to bar stool. On most counter stools, the front and back right legs are conjoined and the front and back left legs are conjoined. Other models have the front legs conjoined and the back legs conjoined; some have all four legs conjoined. This style draws attention to the stools' legs, so many sled bar stools have glitzy or otherwise stylish legs.
Tripod: Common on backless bar stools with round seats, tripod designs are three-legged structures that come together at the center of the counter chair seat to produce a delicate yet sturdy silhouette. Three-legged bar stools tend to be a little more modern than four-legged bar stools.
A bar stool's features can really set it apart from other stools. When buying bar stools, look out for helpful features like ergonomic support or a height-adjustable base.
Ergonomic: If back support is really important to you, ergonomic bar stools prioritize the user's comfort and support over the bar stool's appearance. In this category, you'll likely find bar stools with saddle or bucket seats, full or low backs, footrests, and other features designed to make sitting in those stools comfortable for hours on end.
Swivel: Perhaps one of the best bar stool features, swivel bar stools allow you to swivel your body and chair with ease. Swivel bar stools are amazing for tight spaces, as their swivel feature allows occupants to angle themselves how they please without moving the bar stool's position at the counter. Some swivel bar stools allow 360° of motion, while other swivel stools are more limited.
Armrests: Armrests are yet another ergonomic feature that can improve the comfort and support of your bar stools. Resting your arms at a natural position on armrests can stave off muscle tension in your upper arms and shoulders and promote beneficial blood flow throughout your arms and hands. Try out upholstered armrests for added comfort.
Armless: Bar stools with armrests can be bulkier than armless options, which might not be ideal for smaller bars or countertops. If saving space is a priority of yours, browse only armless bar stools.
Footrest: Footrests can provide some much-needed relief to back tension when you're in a sitting position. They can also promote healthier blood flow in your legs, ankles, and feet.
Height-Adjustable: If you're struggling to find a bar stool height that works well with your kitchen countertop or bar, we recommend height-adjustable stools. These counter stools can be positioned at a range of heights and can promote comfort for occupants of all sizes. Plus, you can move them from one spot to another and adjust the height for a comfortable seat.
Stackable: If you're not planning on making your new bar stools permanent fixtures in your home, opt for stackable stools that can be stored compactly together. Stackable bar stools also make cleaning a breeze, as you won't have to navigate through several displaced bar stools to clean beneath them.
Folding: Similarly, lightweight folding bar stools can be folded for easy storage. This feature is a signature of outdoor and temporary event counter stools.
Size – whether it is width or height – directly impacts how many bar stools can fit your space and how comfortable you are sitting in them. Ideally, the bar stool leaves enough room between the top of the seat and the bottom of the countertop, bar, or table so you can sit comfortably. Need specific sizing tips? Read our guides: Bar Stool Dimensions: How to Choose the Right Ones, How to Pick the Best Bar Stool Height, and Our Guide to Bar Stool Weight Capacity & Durability.
From silhouette to material, these factors can influence the overall appearance and style of the bar stools. Look to your kitchen as inspiration when searching for bar stools so that you can create a cohesive design, using the same colors, shapes, or materials seen throughout the space. You can mirror elements like rounded edges, hardware finishes, or accent colors to pick bar stools that stand out while blending in.
Tip!
Check out How to Choose the Right Bar Stool Colors for Your Kitchen for step-by-step advice for selecting the best shade.
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Explore several of our other bar stool options in different seat heights, shapes, and materials to find the best bar stools for you and your home.
