Shopping edit – 7 bar stools for style and comfort in the kitchen

Made Raleigh Bar Stool in black, beside white version, with plant and wall art in shot

(Image credit: Made)

published 25 August 2021

Searching for stylish bar stools? Whether for a quick kitchen refresh or to complete your recently renovated kitchen diner, this is an important style decision. Gone are the days of bar stools being clunky and something for the kids to spin on while waiting for dinnertime, in fact, bar stools can completely change the look and feel of a kitchen. Whether your space is obviously modern, it has a contemporary feel or a nod to industrial chic decor, there's something on our shopping edit that will take your fancy.

We've been shopping for stylish bar stools and we've found plenty of handsome choices, from everywhere including Dunelm, Made, Habitat and elsewhere. Browse them below to update your kitchen and add a few extra seats. Whether for perching to enjoy your morning espresso or feeding the children lunch – perhaps your new bar stools will be aptly used for sipping cocktails on a Friday evening?

A great space-savvy solution for a kitchen island or a breakfast bar, bar stools are tall and slender in comparison to dining chairs. They are a real design win, especially if they tuck underneath your table or counter, so as to make for more space while they're not in use and standing looking pretty. Bar stools can be personalised to suit your kitchen decor and size, whether you are after something simple that's backless and armless, or if you want the full (and very comfortable) she-bang of an upholstered, rounded back plus a footrest and sloping arms.

See plenty of inspiration for how to style a kitchen island with seating in our kitchen island design ideas feature.

The best bar stools for your kitchen

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1. Dunelm Siena Bar Stool

2. Made Raleigh Bar Stool

Raleigh Bar Stool in black next to plant

3. GoodHome Maloux Black Oak Bar stool

4. Dunelm Vivian Velvet Bar Stool

Dunelm Vivian Velvet Bar Stool | £109 at Dunelm (opens in new tab)
The uber-comfortable Vivian bar stool from Dunelm features a rounded and upholstered back to keep you sitting upright all night long. Its back is also scalloped and covered in a striking velvet fabric, which comes in a range of colours. Choose from an elegant gold, a soft pink, a deep blue or a plain (yet failsafe) black. Not just good looking, this Dunelm bar stool has metal legs with gold accents – plus a footrest for comfort reasons. Definitely one for larger kitchens, this ought to inject a sophisticated vibe to your kitchen or open-plan space.

5. Habitat Logan Pair of Faux Leather Cantilever Barstool

Habitat Logan Pair of Faux Leather Cantilever Barstool | £100 for 2 at Habitat (opens in new tab)
A bargain price for two bar stools, these cool Habitat ones tick all our boxes. This is thanks to their metal frame, footrest and comfortable faux-leather seat. Plus, they are armless so they can be tucked underneath an island or bar table when not in use. The ribbed leather brown seat screams (whispers) casual comfort, while their black metal frame brings the industrial-chic vibe. We can just imagine these inside an otherwise dark yet mid-century modern kitchen.

6. Philippe Starck for Kartell Masters Bar Chair

Philippe Starck for Kartell Masters Bar Chair | £296 at John Lewis (opens in new tab)
This fancy Philippe Starck bar stool is the one for modern kitchens with an island or bar area that they use for the occasional dinner and sometimes for having drinks with friends. They are a hybrid of three iconic designs: Arne Jacobsen's Series 7, Eero Saarinen's Tulip armchair and the Eiffel chair by Charles Eames. Boasting a unique shaped design, they are surprisingly comfortable with a rounded back and a footrest. Select from your choice of white, black or grey. Each bar stool boasts armrests, while they are easily wipeable so convenient to keep looking brand new.