Once upon a time we had a client that designed her kitchen without a counter overhang and without counter stools – very much on purpose. Her reasoning was twofold – the island had a small, lower dining height table attached to it and that their dining table was right there (it is literally right there), so everyone could sit around the table instead of crowding around the kitchen island. And while some people did, most people ended up standing around the island or even leaning against it. Eventually she bought counter stools just to place there for guests to sit on.

When we talked about it we came to the conclusion that if the hosts are busy in the kitchen (which they often area), guests tend to gather there too. At the same time if you hosts are standing, guests feel so much shorter when they are not at a similar eye level. People felt far more comfortable sitting on a higher stool, thus being more eye-to-eye with the person on the other side of the island, than when sitting on a lower dining chair.

Images via Studio xox and Homes Beautiful

Images via Adore Magazine, Style Sourcebook and Stylebook

Like it or not, people enjoying hanging out in the kitchen, so when you are considering the (re)design of your kitchen, be sure to consider how you would be able to incorporate a few well-placed counter stools.

Deciding on the right counter stool can take some time, because we all want them to be comfortable and good looking, and let’s not forget budget friendly too! A girl can dream right?!

If you are looking for kid-friendly options, you’ll want something that is a little bit heavier and fairly solid, so it doesn’t easily topple over as they try to climb up the chair. A back is also helpful to keep them safely propped in the chair too.

Images via Uneek Interiors, Adore Magazine and Blakes London

When thinking about a stool for your space a few basic requirements needs to be considered. How often will they be used and by whom? Stools for lots of daily use might need a seat cushion for extra comfort, and definitely a seat back. If you need them to be pushed out of the way most of the time, then we suggest going backless.

Just remember that stools come in two heights – counter height and bar height. If they are for inside your home and your kitchen island, you can pretty much be assured you need counter height options. A standard countertop runs at 900mm, so your seat height ranges from 600 – 680mm, depending on how high you like to sit. I prefer high seats than lower ones. For kids, higher seat heights is also a benefit.

Images via Est Living, Zephyr + Stone and Mix&Match

Now that you’ve considered what you need out of the chair, think about the overall style and theme of your kitchen. The stools should compliment the existing space, and can even be used as an opportunity to add some interest to the setting.

To keep your options simple and stylish, and for versatility across many spaces, we’ve rounded up a selection of wood, white and black counter stools to suit your style and budget!