8 best bar stools for your kitchen island or breakfast bar

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

We love the classic look of this weathered oak counter stool from Cox & Cox, which looks great in a Shaker-style kitchen but could work equally well in various colour schemes. The wood is matte and beautifully rustic, yet silky smooth to the touch. The seat is moulded for comfort and has contours in just the right places, and the whole thing has a really solid, quality feel.

The seat measures 66cm to the bottom of the seat groove, plus a few extra centimetres at the very highest point, which tucked nicely under our island unit with plenty of room to sit comfortably. We like the fact there are plastic floor protectors hidden underneath each leg, and that this stool wipes clean, meaning it’s not only pretty, but practical.

Overall it’s a great option for a family kitchen, with a timeless style that won’t go out of fashion.

Best: Contemporary design

Rating: 9/10

These faux leather bar stools have a distinctly retro vibe that works brilliantly in contemporary kitchens. We love everything from the stitching on the back of the seats, to the bronze-effect metal legs, which give these stools an edgy, industrial feel.

The seat height is slightly higher than others we tested – around 75cm – so it’s worth checking these will fit under your kitchen island or breakfast bar. And because the legs are angled, each stool takes up a bit more floor space than others we tried. Personally, we found these hit the perfect balance between comfort and grown-up style. The fact they come as a set of two makes the price a lot more palatable, too.

Best: For budget chic

Rating: 8/10

If you’re on a budget, the Klara bar stool from Home Essentials is a quick way to add a touch of luxury without breaking the bank. We tested the navy blue version and loved the velvety finish and diamond quilted detail on the seat, which is soft and comfortable. There’s also a blush pink, a charcoal grey, and a mustardy ochre colour, and we found ours wiped clean surprisingly well.

We liked the fact this stool was nice and easy to assemble in the space of about 20 minutes, and it’s nice and light to move around. We were less keen on the oak-effect metal legs – the colour is ever so slightly too yellow – but the overall look is pleasingly chic at a fraction of the cost of similar items.

Best: For industrial style

Rating: 7/10

These fuss-free stools are nice and light, and tuck neatly under the counter. The steam-bent wooden seat is comfy enough for a place to perch for short periods, and the footrest is a welcome extra. What really sets these apart though, besides the bargain price, is the peppy mustard colour – we love that while the design is sleek and simple, the colour is anything but. There’s a dusty green if you do fancy something a bit more subtle, but it doesn’t have quite the same oomph.

Best: For luxe lounging

Rating: 9/10

If you’re looking for classic design and ultimate comfort, Oka’s Stafford stool should be on your list. A high-backed bar stool with a generously padded seat and back, it feels more like a comfy chair to sink into for the evening than a place to perch for a quick drink.

We tested the aged tobacco version – a lovely tan leather colour – and loved the buttery-soft finish. It seemed to repel water much better than other leather stools we tested, which is handy for spills. And it’s also available in an off-white China clay or smoke blue colour, with the option to order a free fabric sample before you choose.

Finished with studwork around the edges and sturdy oak legs, this is an investment purchase that feels about as plush as it gets. The only thing to bear in mind is that it does take up a fair bit of space, so it’s not one for compact kitchens. It does arrive fully assembled, however, so you can put your Allen key down.

Best: For understated elegance

Rating: 7/10

We love the colour options available for this velvet bar stool – there are various jewel tones including a muted emerald green that works really well with the black steel legs. The padded seat is firm and supportive, and the stool is relatively compact – ideal if you’ve got several lined up next to one another, or if space is at a premium.

That said, at 77cm this was the highest stool we tested in terms of seat height, so you’ll want to do a quick check on the height of your countertop before ordering. Also consider the feet, which are metal and quite pointy and worth bearing in mind if your floor is likely to mark or dent. Aside from those minor quibbles, this is a sophisticated stool at a pleasing price. We want one in every colour.

Best: For instant glamour

Rating: 8/10

Sitting in this Art Deco-inspired bar stool is like sinking into a giant velvety hug. The oversized seat is as cushioned as they come, and the scalloped shell back is high enough to give a decent amount of support. We tested the peacock colour – a blue-green that worked really nicely with the gold and black legs – although the Old Gold is equally glamorous.

There was a bit of assembly involved, although it took a max of 15 minutes and the instructions were easy to follow. The seat felt quite low at 66cm, and left plenty of room beneath the counter. We particularly liked the fact the legs have little levelling feet, so we spent some time adjusting ours to get the stool perfectly level.