Bar + Counter Stools

We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. Whether you are finishing a transitional space with upholstered armless bar chairs or looking to bring a clean-lined, low-profile kitchen stool into an evolving aesthetic, bar stools are a great way to highlight your style and bring casual seating into a kitchen, dining space, or patio. At Lulu and Georgia, our well-designed and thoughtfully curated collection of bar stools are perfect for your look, offering the opportunity to elevate your space and make a personal style statement.

Bar stools, sometimes stylized as barstools, are an often overlooked element in designing a functional and elevated living space. Stools can blend seamlessly into a carefully tailored aesthetic or bring textural contrast and visual impact to a curated look. Begin by exploring the area a bar stool will be styled and determine how its silhouette can echo and elevate or ground the surrounding décor. No matter what style you choose, it is helpful to consider the functionality of this distinctly important accent piece. Kitchen and dining areas often become one of the main social places in a busy life and home. Kitchen bar stools and counter stools come in various designs that offer unique practical appeal for the feel of your space.

Not sure what style of bar stools to choose for your home? Don’t worry, we have you covered. Check out a few tips below.

Consider Your Space

Looking to upgrade your counter with new kitchen stools or elevate the tone of a laid-back space with a luxe barstool or two can be a daunting design choice. Styling such a versatile accent piece into a dynamic space like a kitchen or transitional dining area is a process of balancing its style with the other design elements at play and determining the proper stool for the physical space.

For a thoughtfully refined, tailored space, think about browsing kitchen bar stools that reflect the design notes of your dining chairs. This could mean matching the exact style, as with the Cylia Bar Stool from our bestselling Cylia Collection, or simply echoing elements like clean lines and neutral-toned upholstery to create an elevating motif that runs throughout a space for unity and a grounding balance.

In this sense, materials can be an essential factor in fitting a piece into the larger context of a space. Rattan and cane furniture, for example, is a great way to bring a layer of natural texture with artisan appeal into a laid-back space. For a look grounded in traditional design and organic materials that still feels fresh and spontaneous, consider a transitional kitchen stool like the Jeni Bar Stool. Its woven cane paneling, dark beechwood finish, and iron footrest make it a great example of a barstool that could either add textural contrast to a minimalist aesthetic or provide an elegant, natural note to a layered décor.

Bar stools and Counter Stools

Beyond style and finish, there are other design considerations to take into account when choosing the perfect stool for your environment. One primary consideration is height, which will determine whether you are looking for a bar stool or counter stool.

Bar stools typically have taller profiles with seat heights between 28 to 32 inches, suiting them to taller breakfast bars and counters, which are usually 40 to 42 inches off the ground. Bar chairs of this size are also ideal for bar height tables. Counter stools have seats at 24 to 27 inches, ideal for a kitchen island or low counter that is 36 inches off the ground. Though the proportions of some styles suit a particular design, many kitchen stools come as either a bar stool or counter stool letting you style just the right piece for practical perfection.

Think Social Seating

Barstools are a functional element that makes a space more social. If your kitchen is a gathering place where time is spent before and after meals, consider a bar chair with a plush seat and back for added comfort. When fashioned with a swivel seat, these stools are perfect for entertaining in an open-plan dining space. A bar stool with luxe upholstery and arms can even be styled as a tall occasional chair in a collected aesthetic.

If your counter or bar is in an airy, transitional space, consider a pared-down design featuring a seat with no back or simply a low or open back. These designs are visually lightweight and easy to move to create a dynamic and open social space. Stools with a dark aspect or natural finish can be the perfect touch of texture for a moody room while bar stools with modern lines and light natural hues can polish a chic minimalist layout. Check out our selection of outdoor bar stools for an even more dynamic option that will elevate a garden or patio area with a refined touch.

Whichever way you decide to style it, remember that bar stools come in a wide variety of styles and designs so that you can marry your unique aesthetic with flawless functionality. They give you a chance to showcase your individuality with little touches of nuanced design. Loved ones and visitors can then immediately get a sense of who you are by seeing how you style this essential accent to augment a kitchen, dining space, or outdoor environment.

When you shop online at Lulu and Georgia for a bar or counter stool, you will find pieces that complement the style of your space but also make it feel more elevated. No matter what you are looking for, we have a selection curated by design style, materials, and color to choose from so you can find the perfect harmony. Check out our Shop by Room page for more ideas and inspiration on how to best create stylish everyday living spaces.