How to Choose the Best Counter Stools for Your Kitchen

Adding new counter stools or barstools to your kitchen is a great way to instantly update your space.  So today I’m sharing some simple tips on how to choose the best counter stools for your kitchen, along with images of designer kitchens featuring beautiful counter stool ideas, places to shop for counter stools and barstools in 2024, and more.

Kitchen Counter Stool and Barstool Ideas for 2024

First, how to choose the best stool height for your kitchen island

If you’re wondering whether you need counter stools or bar stools for your kitchen, here’s the perfect way to choose the right stool height and make the best choice for your kitchen island:

1. The first thing is to measure the height of your kitchen island (or bar area).
2. If the island height is 36″ to 39″, a counter stool (24″ to 26″ seat height) is the best option for your kitchen.
3. If the island height is 40″ to 42″, a bar stool (28″ to 30″ seat height), is the best choice for your kitchen.
4. Allow 9 to 12 inches between the top of the seat and the bottom of the counter or bar to allow for leg room. 

Intimate Living Interiors – similar counter stools

Decide on backless stools or counter stools with backs

If you live in a home where the kitchen, family room, and breakfast nook all meet, like ours, it’s a good idea to choose stools with a lower profile so they won’t block the view of the other areas.

Backless stools, or kitchen stools with low backs, are the best choice in this type of space because they won’t disrupt your line of sight.

Studio McGee – curved cane stools – lights

Create a wow factor — or keep it simple

If your kitchen is pretty simple and needs a bit of a wow factor, think about choosing counter stools or bar stools that act as a  statement piece or focal point.

However, if your kitchen already has a lot going going on, like a patterned backsplash or statement light fixtures, it’s a good idea to choose something more subtle or neutral, for a simple look.

The Cabinet Gallery Utah – Cambridge Home Co. – pendant lights – similar counter stools

2024 Kitchen Trends and Design Styles

When choosing your kitchen counter stools, it helps keep the current kitchen design trends in mind.

What kitchen styles are trending?  For 2024, kitchen designs are both looking back and moving forward, and both traditional and contemporary kitchens are on trend.

Bullard Design Studio – Lindsay Salazar Photography – counter stools – pendants

In addition to the popularity of coastal, French country, and Mediterranean style kitchens, we’re seeing plenty of modern spaces with warm wood cabinets, marble backsplashes, mixed metal finishes, custom range hoods, and unique ceiling treatments. 

Here are some examples of how different counter stools and bar stools can enhance various styles of kitchens.

Counter stool ideas for modern coastal kitchens

Choosing stools made from natural materials is a great way to add a modern coastal look to a white kitchen.

Counter Stools

I love the fresh, modern look of the subtly-striped counter stools in the beautiful kitchen design below. And here’s where you can find the beautiful pendant light fixtures.

Pure Salt Interiors – stools – pendant lights

This lovely coastal cottage kitchen features easy-care woven counter stools, brass lantern pendant lighting, a light grey-blue island, and white kitchen cabinets.  

Alaina Kaz, via The Everymom – stools – lights

These woven barstools are the perfect natural touch in this stylish modern coastal kitchen.  

woven kitchen island stools

Stylish woven rope counter stools bring a modern coastal feeling to this light and airy kitchen.  The woven pendant lights are perfect in this space.

AKB Design Studio – stools – lights

I love this beautiful kitchen design, with its modern yet timeless mix of white, black, and natural elements:

Pure Salt Interiors – stools – pendant light (alternate source) – woven light

Counter stool ideas for a timeless kitchen

A classic kitchen design is the perfect spot for these seagrass counter stools, along with white floor-to-ceiling cabinets and glass and brass pendant lights.

Salt Design Co. – stools – lights

This timeless coastal kitchen design features white cabinets paired with woven counter stools. 

Kelly Nutt Design – stools

Unique woven stools and chic cone pendant lights bring warmth and interest to this timeless kitchen design:

Salt Design Co. – counter stools – pendant lights

Stool ideas for a modern farmhouse kitchen

Stylish counter stools made of natural materials are the perfect solution in this lovely kitchen:

Christine Andrew – stools

The counter stools in the beautiful modern farmhouse kitchen shown below are the perfect mix of timeless and contemporary style.

Salt Design Co. – stools

Counter stool ideas for contemporary kitchens

The woven backless and rope counter stools with backs in the kitchen below lend a modern twist to this beautiful kitchen. The black and white pendant lights are striking, too:

Salt Design Company – backless stools – rope counter stool

The woven stools in the kitchen below lend the perfect modern touch to this beautiful space:

Pure Salt Interiors – woven stools

Sleek pendant lighting and woven leather counter stools add a modern, streamlined look to this classic kitchen design.

Studio McGee – pendants – counter stools

Stool ideas for a lake house kitchen

The swiveling wood counter stools give a rustic look to this lake house kitchen, for a warm and inviting touch:

Park and Oak Interior Design – stools – pendant lights – alternate source

These wood counter stools would work beautifully in just about any style of kitchen, including a lake house kitchen or modern cottage style kitchen:

Studio McGee – counter stools 

Counter stool ideas for an organic modern kitchen

This beautiful organic modern kitchen design features a mix of white oak and white kitchen cabinets, brass metal finishes, and chic woven counter stools.

The Life Styled Co. – counter stools

This stylish kitchen design features cane counter stools and modern pendant lights for a cohesive look:

Studio McGee – curved cane stools – lights

Love this beautiful kitchen with a dark island color and woven counter stools:

The Life Styled Co. – counter stools

The black stools in the organic modern kitchen below make a bold statement against the light wood island, especially paired with the striking black range hood!  Here are the same stools, and here is a similar option.

Sophie Burke Design – stools – similar stool – similar stool – similar stool

Kitchen Counter Stool and Bar Stool Ideas for 2024

To give you an idea of some of the most popular kitchen seating options available, I’ve gathered some beautiful counter stools and barstools in every size, price range, color scheme, and design style. 

You’ll find all sorts of options, including stools with backs, stools that swivel, backless stools, upholstered and slip-covered stools, woven counter stools, barstools and counter stools for a white kitchen, wood stools, and more.