Best Bar & Counter Stools for Kitchen Islands

As kitchens transition into other rooms, like the great room or dining room, your chairs will need to be durable, stylish, easy to clean, as well as comfortable chairs for counter height seating.

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In our previous article, we provided a quick checklist to help you find the right person to help you plan your kitchen and how to navigate that initial meeting for the best outcome. Here is the checklist to help you prepare for Your First Meeting with Your Kitchen Designer.

Today we are talking about the best kitchen counter stools and how to select the best one for your kitchen. . This is part of our series on “ How To Start and Select For Your Kitchen Renovation “, a full process guide, step by step through the entire process for best results.

Remodeling Your Kitchen? Read This! ·

• Spend-Smart Strategies for Your Kitchen Makeover · What should you include and what’s a waste of money?

• Lately, the questions I’m getting from my readers from my “2- Hour Online Design” consultations have been so diverse and so good. My Virtual Kitchen Design Online consults have been covering content and questions I’ve never published before, so I’m excited to share new reader'’ dilemmas and the conversations:“What should I include in my new kitchen?” What’s trending, what should I include in my budget, and what is the one item I should forget about having because it is a total waste of money? What do you recommend?

Mainly it is the breakfast bar that has taken over kitchen design. Swivel Barstools or Counter Stools are needed for the breakfast bar and work well at high-top tables now common for full island seating.

Find the best barstools for your needs, and all are available online! Add color and texture to your kitchen with some of these options.

What’s the difference between BAR HEIGHT vs. COUNTER HEIGHT vs. TABLE HEIGHT SEATING

Now before we get started, it’s super important you the difference between a BAR HEIGHT and COUNTER HEIGHT chair so you don’t make a mistake!

I don’t want you to find what you love and then learn that it is the wrong height and then have to return your lovely chairs.

DESIGN TIP: MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE SEAT HEIGHT AND YOUR COUNTER HEIGHT at home, and on the product description BEFORE ORDERING.

Another common question I get is, “how many chairs can I fit at my Island”?

How many chairs/stools do I need? Ideally, you want diners to have adequate elbow and breathing room around a dining table or along a bar. I minimum I allow for each person is 24” linear inches per person.

How long should a kitchen island be to seat 4?

10′: The standard length of a 4-seat island is 10′. The standard depth with a sink is 42″.

How long does my island have to be to seat 5?

A 12’ long island will seat 5 seat island, in a row. ( 5x 24” + 12” on each end for counter supports or legs - 144” long ) That’s a big island.

Design Tip: I usually design and island with seating for 4 or more to have the seating wrap around a corner for better conversation. So 24 linear inches per seat, but allow 30” per person at corners.

What type of seats would fit your kitchen style? Now that you have determined the design of your kitchen island, you can then begin selecting a chair that has the warmth and style you would like to portray.

What color should my counter stools be?

Make sure the stools contrast your counters.

One rule is to have the floors under the stool contrast with the stool. A wood or metal stool should not be the same shade or color as the floor. If the color of the stool is the same color as the floor, it could look too blended and not contrasting.

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Read these related posts to learn more…

• see our tips for kitchen organization, Get Inspired By Deborah’s Strategies for a Kitchen That Is functional and Beautiful. full of resources and suggestions for getting organized in the kitchen.

• Our No-Fail Paint colors For Kitchen Cabinets You Will Love: Popular kitchen colors with long-lasting appeal.

• 5 Kitchen Remodeling Tips and a Guide. Planning a kitchen renovation? Our kitchen downloads will help guide you through the process. From kitchen appliances to selecting contractors ..My downloadable kitchen remodeling checklists and templates are a great place to learn how to organize the process so you can manage your own remodeling project.

• Are you planning a kitchen remodel? Click here to See More Posts on Kitchen Design.

My Top Picks for 2023: More Kitchen Island Seating for a Classic Kitchen

Want to see more about kitchen design and accessories?

• Visit my SHOP for some of my Favorite Picks for The Kitchen.

• For more options on KITCHEN ISLAND CHAIRS, see our post “ 15 Inexpensive Counter Height Chairs That Don’t Look Cheap” .

• To Learn More About How to Budget for a Kitchen Remodel, See this guide to remodeling a kitchen on a budget that shares the average costs of each aspect of a DIY kitchen remodel – from floors to cabinets – and tips for saving on each one.

• If you have time to go the DIY route, that will be a lot more affordable. You can do a high-end kitchen or bath renovation on a limited budget if you have the time to put into shopping for every item yourself and doing some of the labor yourself. See my post “ Kitchen Refresh: 5 Ways To Update Your Kitchen On A Budget”

This is what happens when you invite an angry Panda into your kitchen.

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UPDATES from the Studio

I wanted to share a few updates for the Fall Market and important Events that we will be attending.

Here are some places you can find us over the next few months.

This Month: 2 Boutique Instagram Events :

SEPTEMBER 17 in Milford, CT and SEPTEMBER 24 in Westport, CT

Meanwhile, did you know that I recently published our "Instagram Strategy Guide for Interior Designers"? It's at a new launch rate of $37.00 for the full guide. Take advantage of the low introductory pricing while it lasts. I compiled a list of strategies and answered questions that are being asked at our live events. I think you find this guide helpful in gaining some insight and traction on this growing platform.

If you are in Fairfield County, please consider attending one of our Instagram Events.

September 17th: Interior Design Society -Connecticut, Milford CT (learn more here)

September 24th: Boshka Interior Design; Westport, CT. New Tile shop and Design Center (learn more here)

HIGH POINT MARKET: Hot off the Press! We’ve been selected as an HPMKT BLOGTOUR INFLUENCER!

dvd Interior Design has been selected as a High Point Market Promoter, Blogger, and reporter, to share with you the latest trends and newest products for home decor as seen at High Point Market in North Carolina this Fall. HPMKT is a semi-annual market week, for (TTT) ”to the trade” only.

For designers, attending the market is our opportunity to develop our secret sauce of services and seek out the best products for our clients. I will be sharing with you an insider’s look into what everyone is excited about, and showcasing what new products and colors are shaping the home environment in the coming years. Stay tuned, I have lots to share.

If you're not following me on Instagram, you're missing out big on a lot of design tips and resources, including live event coverage. - follow me here!

UPDATE: click here to see what we saw at High Point Market and all the decor trends you will love!

Anticipation is in the air, as I am super excited to announce that I will be a COMMUNITY LEADER for the BLISSDOM CONFERENCE in Nashville, TN this November.
Blissdom is all about the power of community, wisdom, and that rising tides lift all boats. This is an amazing community of women that work to improve our lives and businesses because we know that true success depends on both. Leave me a comment below if you are also attending, and we can plan to meet up there!

To learn more about conferences and events that are happening and I am attending, see my post Here: My List of Conferences and Events for Designers and Design Bloggers.

The 20 Best Kitchen Counter/ Bar Chairs