Last Updated On September 13th, 2022
Top 10 Reviews
Make the most of your kitchen island or breakfast bar with a stylish bar stool set. Whether you’re enjoying drinks with friends, tapas or even a full gourmet meal, with the best bar stools in the UK, you won’t have to compromise on style or comfort.
Bar stools are available in a vast range of designs, with something to suit every home and kitchen scheme. Here’s our 10 best bar stool selection so you can find your perfect match for comfortable dining, relaxing, and entertaining in your home.
If you are looking for a set of comfy bar stools, then this padded leatherette pair is sure to fit the bill. With their stylish two-tone design complete with diamond-detailing cushioning and a metal frame, you’ll enjoy the ultimate sitting experience.
Considered one of the best bar stools for kitchen islands, this model benefits from having gas-lift adjustable height. The seat level can be raised from 60cm up to 82cm via the slimline metal lever, making this bar stool an ideal choice for use in various locations around your home, whether it’s your living room or kitchen diner.
Complete with 360-degree swivel, a strong solid chromed steel metal frame, and a comfortable padded leatherette seat, this model is one of the most comfortable set-of-two bar stools around. It is also easy to put together, with all tools provided.
On the downside, as the seat is all synthetic leather, this is not the most durable model. The seat itself is a little on the small side and you may find the backrest to be a little short, especially if you are tall.
Featuring a stylish modern design and available in a choice of a two-tone finish or block colour, these modern style barstools by popular brand Millhouse are sure to be a top contender in your search for the best bar stools in the UK.
With a height that you can adjust to suit your needs, you can use these bar stools at both your kitchen island and breakfast bar. Thanks to their 360-degrees swivel base complete with footrest, they are a great choice positioned anywhere in your kitchen, allowing you to easily sit down and get back up.
Assembly is easy, thanks to the clear diagrams. The PU leather-style upper can be wiped clean and the polished chrome base adds a touch of modernity and class. All in all, a great looking bar chair set for any kitchen.
Unfortunately, these bar stools are not very durable; the synthetic fabric scuffs easily and the seat is not sufficiently padded.
This stylish bar stool set from home furniture specialists WOLTU is our overall favourite. Their clean lines and understated elegance make these bar stools the perfect complement to any breakfast bar or kitchen island.
This pair of bar stools are extremely stable and sturdy, thanks to their four solid wood legs. In addition, they feature a highly durable wipe-clean polypropylene seat and backrest for minimal maintenance and enhanced longevity. For comfort, there’s a padded faux leather seat that is also easily wiped down.
The ring footrest is key to the designer aspect of these stools, that sits in stark contrast to the angular base footprint created by the sturdy feet. With their easy assembly and hassle-free maintenance, these faux leather bar stools are most definitely one of the top models to go for.
Bear in mind that this particular model is not height-adjustable. Also, as there is not a lot of padding and the backrest is fairly small, they are less suitable for using for long periods sitting down.
Looking for a modern but comfortable bar stool for your breakfast bar? Be sure to take a look at this highly popular model by SONGMICS.
Featuring a wipe-clean PU leather upper design, this model is easy to keep dirt-free. Thanks to its generous six-centimetre foam padding, it is also comfortable for use when dining, as well as for drinks and chatting. Simply adjust the height to suit your island or worktop height.
The wide non-slip base makes this a good, stable bar stool. Thanks to its quick three-stage assembly, it makes a great choice if you are not into DIY or flat pack assembly.
Unfortunately, the PU leather does scuff quite easily so care is needed to keep these stools looking like new. What’s more, you may find the backrest and the footrest to be a little on the small side to provide sufficient support for long periods of use.
The Millhouse Cuban Bar Stool is a great choice for your contemporary or modern style kitchen and dining area. With its minimalist looks and stylish design, no wonder this is one of the best bar stools around.
Thanks to its padded synthetic leather seat, this model remains comfortable for long periods. As expected from a high-quality bar stool, it also features a wide, open seat for extra space. Its chrome base and footrest feature a full swivel and are highly polished for a gleaming finish.
Height-adjustable from 60-82cm, simply press on the discrete slimline lever to alter as needed. This model is also very easy to put together in just minutes.
Note that these bar stools are very lightweight, making them less suitable for homes with pets and young children, as they can easily be knocked over. Also, the synthetic fabric tends to scuff easily and shades can vary considerably between batches.
Dictac bar stools come with a chocolate coloured bronzing suede fabric seat cover. The seat itself has a wider than average surface area with a reinforced rubber edge and an ergonomic shape for added comfort and stability. The cushion is filled with dense, resilient sponge material up to 5cm thick.
These luxury bar stools are capable of a 360-degree rotation and feature a looped bar footrest and a high backrest. They also feature a gas lift control lever for easy height adjustments that range between 57 and 80cm in height to suit your specific body shape and height.
Each chair has a 180kg weight capacity and a durable steel frame to support larger individuals. Conveniently, the assembly can be completed in about 5 minutes and the entire process only has four simple steps.
Keep in mind, with this option you will not get armrests and you only have one colour to choose from. Additionally, the trim may not be as durable as the rest of the stool.
Bring comfort and style to your kitchen with these Crescent Bar Stools by IntimaTe WM Heart. Available in several colour options, their classic outline and subdued tones will elevate the look of any island and work well as a breakfast bar stool.
Thanks to their weighted pedestal base, this is a sturdy model that won’t tip when you go to sit down. Height-adjustable, you can use these bar stools in a variety of areas. On the other hand, their 360-degrees swivel makes them a good choice for drinks and nibbles with your guests while you’re on your feet preparing dinner.
For extra comfort, the stylish polished chrome base features a welded-on footrest, while the synthetic leather upper is lightly padded. Thanks to their classic crescent form, these stools provide a high backrest and great support.
On the downside, the quality control is not the very best. Also, they can be a little noisy and with heavy use they may not last for much more than a year or two.
If you are looking for the best bar stools for your home that come complete with armrests, then you might want to take a look at this set by TRESKO.
With a height range between 62-82.5cm, these comfortable bar stools are one of the best choices for drinks, nibbles and chatting. Use them at your breakfast bar, kitchen island or worktop, they also feature a rubberised base to protect your flooring.
The seat is upholstered with a leatherette material that covers a layer of high-density foam to ensure superior comfort levels. The supportive armrests are half-covered with the synthetic leather and half chromed to match the shiny metal base.
Bear in mind that the armrests are a little high, so double-check you will be able to push your stools under if you’re short on space or using them in a high traffic area. Also, the material is not very durable and this model as a whole is very light.
Yet another great option, these set of 2 leatherette stools by TRESKO deserves a spot on this list of best bar stools.
To protect your flooring in your home and ensure optimal stability, these stools come complete with a rubber protective ring attached to the base. The chrome frame has a 360-degree swivel, while the leatherette padded upper features a bucket-shaped seat with a diamond padded backrest.
Assembly is easy and as this model is height-adjustable, you can use it with almost all breakfast bars and kitchen islands. Simply adjust the height to suit your needs.
On the downside, this model is not the most durable and the synthetic fabric can tear with frequent use. Also, the plastic lever is easily broken and the zip is visible to the rear of the stool.
The Modern Emper Bar Stool by HNNHome is a very stylish model that would look great in both a modern or a more traditional setting. Complete with a supportive, high backrest and integrated armrests, this popular model is recommended for light use.
With a fully adjustable height, these bar stools can be used with most kitchen counters and breakfast bars. The integrated armrests add to the seats’ style and comfort, complete with their padded seat and backrest.
Simply wipe clean the synthetic leather for easy maintenance. There is also a floor-protective anti-slip feature to the swivel bar base. Comfortable and good looking, this bar stool is ideal for light home use.
We do not recommend this model for heavy use as the tubular frames and arms are fairly flimsy and unsuited to heavier-set users. Also, the entire construction is very lightweight and there have been numerous issues with the welding quality in the past, so for everyday use, this is possibly one to avoid.
Read our product reviews but still unsure which bar stool is best for your home? Our in-depth buying guide has everything you need to know before making your choice.
When shopping for furniture such as stools, shelves, and drawers, you should choose pieces that complement your home’s interiors. Whether you’re attracted to industrial style, or an art deco feel, your bar stool should match your kitchen, while also being comfortable to use. Some bar stools have very small seats that can be a little tight, whereas others are more open. Be sure to take the seat dimensions into account and check that they are compatible with your morphology.
Quilting details on the backrest, outline stitching and quirky shaped footrests can all add different nuances of style to your bar stools. Aside from the shape, colour is also an essential part of your bar stool’s style and you should either look for colours that complement your kitchen or go for a bright pop of colour that really stands out for a fun, modern look.
Bar stools come in a wide variety of different materials, although leather, wood and steel are popular components, as is plastic and synthetic leather. Your choice of materials should reflect those present in your kitchen and resonate with your overall style.
For example, if you have a hectic lifestyle, an easy wipe-clean synthetic leather bar stool is going to be a good choice. If you are looking for high durability then a real leather bar stool is going to last you longer. Leather also requires extra care to keep it looking its best. Fabric bar stools are often frowned upon as they can be tricky to keep clean.
Look for solid wood or a metal bar stool for extra stability and sturdiness. Check how the footrest and any armrests attach and the quality of any welded joints. Lastly, a layer of internal high-density foam can help to make your bar stools much more comfortable for regular use.
Your bar stool’s height is one of the most important dimensions to check before purchasing. While most models have the ability to adjust the height, be sure to check nonetheless that the height range is appropriate for your setup. Remember if your bar stool has a backrest, you’ll want to also check the seat height range as well as the overall height options.
For reference, you want your seat height to be approximately 30cm lower than your bar or tabletop. You can add or take away five centimetres from this figure giving you a comfortable distance of 25-35cm between your seat height and countertop.
Take a look at your kitchen worktop and chances are you’ll find it’s considerably lower than your tall bar table or breakfast bar. For this reason, you’ll find that fixed height stools tend to either fall into the bar stool or counter (worktop) stool categories.
Of course, if your kitchen worktop is higher than standard models or you have built your own custom units, then your heights may be very different, thus needing a different type of stool. However, on average, a kitchen worktop in the UK averages about 900mm high. Bar tables and breakfast bars are meant to also be comfortable to stand at and tend to have an approximate height in the region of 950-1100mm.
So, yes, bar stools are higher than counter stools. However, with a height-adjustable swivel bar stool, you can have the best of both worlds and use your stool for both.
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