Written by: Zoona Sikander, Interior Design Writer & Social Media Content Creator
Edited by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Rey Amini, Senior Interior Designer & Architect
Fact-checked by: Benjamin Ibanez, Development & FF&E Manager
For a timeless charm in their open kitchen-dining areas, many of our clients want to opt for matching dining chairs and bar stools. Coordinating the different furniture items in this way helps elevate the interiors by adding a sense of uniformity and harmony. And this doesn’t just have to be limited to open-plan living rooms as this concept works equally well in both closed and semi-closed floor plans too.
If you want to give your home a luxurious or designer look, the aim should be to make it look interesting and this can be achieved both with and without matching pieces. The most common scenario in which designers recommend matching chairs and stools is when they are both placed in an open planned concept or if they are both visible in your line of sight (for example if the dining chairs can be seen from the kitchen and vice versa).
To make your search and your decisions easier, we have made a list of some of the most perfectly matched chairs and barstools from our favourite luxury furniture brands:
Inspired of course by the light and airy elements of nature, the Wind dining chair and bar stool boast a minimalistic look and an enveloping seat. The seat and backrest for both the chair and the bar stool are completely covered in soft leather which offers maximum comfort.
All Aria products are manufactured completely in Italy with the uncompromising quality that our Italian brands are known for.
If you’re looking for a truly modern dining chair and bar stool set then Pil is the answer to your search as its unique design instantly catches your eye. The angled legs, curved back and soft cushioning all come together wonderfully to make them an elegant addition to any modern kitchen, bar or dining room.
If you haven’t guessed yet, the pil collection is indeed inspired by the shape of a pillow which means that all the products in this range are designed with a focus on softness, relaxation and comfort. You can also choose the Pil lounger for your living room to match your dining chairs and stools.
This outdoor dining chair and bar stool duo by Bontempi Casa bring both stylish and fun elements to your outdoor space. It’s the geometric, cut-out pattern of the backs that makes them stand out in any setting. Both the chair and the stool can be customised in a range of colours including the most vibrant ones. They’re made from high-quality, all-weather-friendly materials and they can also be stacked, making them practical, space-saving options.
Since they are manufactured from high-quality polypropylene, they’re not just lightweight and waterproof but also incredibly durable so they’ll easily be a part of your garden or patio for years to come.
Our designers highly recommend pairing the Galaxy bar stools with either the Alter bar table or the Rail high table by Bontempi Casa.
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Inspired by the mesmerising Nuka glacier of Alaska, this velvet upholstered dining chair and bar stool are magnificent additions to contemporary homes. The legs of the chair are a glossy golden colour while the bar stool comes in a glossy black finish with gold detailing.
The high curved back of both the chair and the stool is further enhances by the addition of gold nails that run along the back stitching. The upholstered fabric or leather can be customised in your choice of material and colours that you can select from the samples at our showroom.
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Alberto Brogliato and Federico Traverso are the renowned designers behind the Newood series, which is a reinterpretation of the classic Windsor chairs as they’ve given them a contemporary upgrade in this version.
Made from solid, curved wood, this chair truly highlights the natural charm and beauty of wood. It’s a stackable chair that is available in two versions, with and without backrest detailing.
The Newood stool shares the same classic appeal and old-world aesthetics as the Newood chair but with a contemporary touch that makes them both perfect for modern homes. While the structure is in solid wood, a stainless steel footrest has been added to make the stool more durable for everyday use.
Another masterpiece by one of our favourite Italian furniture brands, Cattelan Italia. The Sofia chair and bar stool have been designed by Paolo Cattelan himself and they’re one of the most elegant options you can find. The simple yet timeless design is enhanced by the comfortable cushioning and ergonomic support that this upholstered chair and barstool offer.
Both the sofia chair and the barstool are available in two different heights and a chair version with armrests is also available. These chairs pair exceptionally well with any of the Cattelan Italia dining tables.
Designed by Archirivolto for Cattelan Italia, the Dumbo dining chair is like a designer’s interpretation of the iconic Disney character, Dumbo, in the form of a chair. And of course, just like the character that it’s inspired from, this chair is simply impossible to ignore for anyone who sets their eyes on it.
The dining chair features a thick wooden base with an upholstered seat and backrest that can be customised in leather or fabric. The nontraditional silhouette and high level of comfort that this chair offers allow it to be used as not just a dining chair but also an office chair or an accent chair in the living room.
The Dumbo bar stool is as versatile as its counterpart as it’s suitable for use in both kitchens and bar areas. The Italian craftsmanship and high-quality materials truly shine through in both these products.
The Alain series is probably one of the most comfortable ones on our list today, as sitting in this chair or bar stool feels like you’re getting a warm embrace. And isn’t that what we all need!
The chair and bar stool share the characteristic tufted stitching in the form of checkered seams on the back, making them ideal for modern interiors.
As a brand, Cierre is known for taking care of the tiniest details to ensure that the customers get unmatched comfort and functionality from their purchase. For instance, this can be observed in the attached footrest on the barstool or the ultrasoft cushioning on both products.
Bold and beautiful! The Tuka chair and stool feature a unique, enveloping, c-shaped back supported by the sleekest legs we’ve ever seen. Both the legs and the upholstery are customisable in a huge range of colours, so the clients can create a special version of the chair or barstool that best suits their tastes.
The frame of the Tuka family is made from recycled polypropylene to offer high quality without impacting the environment. The Tuka bar stool also includes a tubular footrest and is available in two heights.
Available in leather and velvet, Camille features the most strikingly beautiful pleats on its backrest and a comfortable seat that is supported by elegant metal legs. This is the set we recommend for those who want to add a touch of luxury to their interiors.
Both the chair and the barstool are enhanced by the golden tips, and the footrest of the barstool is also highlighted by the same golden finish.
This honey-coloured, matching rattan dining chair and stool draw inspiration from vintage colonial furniture and are perfect for adding warmth and beauty to any space.
Both the dining table and barstool can be used indoors as well as outdoors, bringing the country element to your decor.
This swivel chair and stool duo have been designed for relaxation without compromising aesthetics and craftsmanship. Both the chair and the bar stool are available in different base versions and in different heights.
The metal legs version gives the dining chairs a light and airy look, the wood version brings a refined style to the space, while the swivel base makes the chair versatile enough to be used as an office chair.
The stool too is available in two versions, with and without a swivel base, and both the products can be customised in leather, fabric or eco-leather.
Conceived by the multi-award-winning designer Michael Geldmacher for Kristalia, the Sharky series is light yet incredibly strong, just like a shark’s fins.
The Sharky chair is also the winner of the Interior Innovation Award 2015, which says a lot about how unique, beautiful and comfortable this chair is. The success and popularity of the chair pushed the designer to extend the collection and add two stools in different shapes and heights.
The high stool almost completely replicates the main concept of the Sharky chair, while the low stool has been given a more compact look.
Both the chair and the stools are easy to clean and maintain, and they can even be customised for outdoor use.
Handcrafted in Portugal from the finest materials, the Estoril chair by Laskasas is so magnificent and versatile that it can be used in any space, be it as a dining chair, an accent chair in the living room, a corner chair in the bedroom or a reading chair in the library.
The crescent-shaped back and comfortable seat of the chair and the bar stool can be customised in over 100 materials and colours. The wooden legs are embellished with a golden cap for an added luxe factor.
Our designers recommend pairing these dining chairs with the Darc dining table by Laskasas because of the harmonious interplay between metal and wood.
Cleo collection strikes the perfect balance between classic and contemporary designs in the shape of the Cleo dining chair and bar stool. The quality of craftsmanship is visible in every detail, such as the elegant stitching of the seams on the armrests, which truly enhance this seat.
Both the dining chair and the stool feature a linear base in solid wood and a padded seat and backrest. The backrest and arms are also slightly curved to give Cleo an elegant and refined look.
Two-seater bar stools are not very common, but they’re often needed to complete a bar area, a coffee corner or a refined living room. The Velis bar stool is thus an exceptional product as it’s available as both a single and double-seater.
The Velis collection has been designed by Mario Ferrarini with the aim of satisfying many different seating demands through a single collection. All products from this collection are characterised by the ever-so-slightly open space on the sides of the backrest, which gives them a light and airy presence.
Other products in the collection include the velis footstool, lounger and armchair - most of which are available in multiple versions to meet the client's needs.
Designed by Stefano Bigi for Porada, Ester is one of the most uniquely designed dining chairs and bar stool sets that we offer.
Porada is an Italian brand that was born out of a love for wooden furniture but with the Ester collection, Porada has wonderfully merged its love for wood with contemporary design elements.
The Ester dining chair features a wooden frame with a gently arched back and upholstered seat. This unique and sculptural design makes this chair the perfect match for Porada’s infinity table.
The Ester stool too shares the same semi-circular back design, but an oblong-shaped footrest has been added to the swivelling metal base. Both these products are best suited for modern interiors.
Designed by Andree Putman, the Bastide dining chair and stool are all you need to bring the old-school charm to your space.
Not many bar stools come with a high back that is not just supportive but also comfortable, which is why we highly recommend Bastide to clients looking for high back stools. To further add to the comfort and for those who want to turn their bar areas into conversation corners, these bar stools also come in a version with armrests.
The upholstery for both the chair and the bar stool can be customised by choosing from a range of samples available at our showroom.
Sila exemplifies how even the simplest materials and shapes can come together to create unique and eye-catching products. Supported by a slim metal base, the Sila chair and stool are also available in covered and padded versions.
Simple lines never looked so good! The Manta by Rugiano plays with geometrical shapes to create a stunning dining chair and stool that are completely upholstered in customisable leather. The bar stool looks spectacular when matched with a minimalistic kitchen island. As for the dining chairs, we highly recommend pairing them with Absolute dining table as they share a similar sculptural design.
The soft and sinuous backrests of all these products are enriched by vertical stitchings that give them a warm and welcoming look. You can also buy the Manta armchair, Manta pouf, Manta sofa or the Manta chaise lounge to complete your collection.
Kitchens, dining areas and bars are some of our favourite spaces to work with so here's some inspiration from projects that our team has worked on:
No, they definitely don’t have to match, and this is more of a personal preference than a rule. However, most designers recommend having some visual coherence in your interiors, so it is often a good idea to go for matching dining chairs and stools. The final decision also depends on the location or the proximity of your dining chairs and stools. If they're both in the same room, such as the kitchen or in an otherwise open-plan space, it makes sense for them to be coordinated. But if your bar stools are in the kitchen and the dining chairs are in a completely separate dining room, then they do not have to match.
If you don’t want to go for completely similar-looking chairs and bar stools, then the best option would be to mix and match the materials or finishes within the same design. This allows you to have diverse products and yet maintain a sense of harmony throughout your interiors. For example, select any chair and barstool set from our list and customise them in different leather or fabric colours for the seat/back. You can visit our showroom to learn more about our customisation options, browse the samples or book a free design consultation with our expert interior design team.
Many luxury brands and several high-end Italian brands offer matching bar stools with most of their dining chairs. Some of these brands include Cattelan Italia, Cierre, Eichholtz and Rugiano. You can find these and many other similar luxury furniture brands that sell matching products at FCI, London’s largest contemporary furniture showroom.
A few decades ago, bar stools were not considered a part of home furnishing as they were limited to pubs and cafes. But as kitchen islands and bar areas became common in modern homes, bar stools found their way into our homes. Many people now find them to be more comfortable than traditional chairs as they help in supporting a better posture.
Because of their narrow structure, they're also more space-saving than dining chairs, making them ideal for smaller rooms as you get plenty of seating options without wasting space. Another benefit of bar stools that makes them important for contemporary homes is that they bring a unique style and character to the space.
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