Like most furniture, the first bar stools were built out of practical necessity and couldn’t be further from being a luxury. Originally used as working chairs for artisans, by as early as the 1400s the luxury potential of these chairs was already recognised by French royals who adorned their stools with jewels and expensive decorations, using them as high chairs rather than for their original purpose.

Today, modern stools are the ultimate way to create a stylish and elegant seating area in a small space, whether on the edge of your kitchen with your cupboard tops as a table-like surface or around a small cocktail table. The practical function of bar stools has changed over time, but the idea of luxury has changed even more.

Trendy brown bar stools with metal bases, adding style to the modern bar counter.

Prized above all in high-end homes, modern luxury is defined by comfort along with aesthetic appeal. There are three main features of the perfect luxury bar stool: the first is aesthetic appeal, the styling, colour and size of your stool should fit comfortably into your existing decor scheme. The second consideration is the materials you choose, which also contribute to the appearance of your chair, it’s durability over time and, of course, what it feels like to sit in. The third, and arguably most important factor, is whether your stool is comfortable for you and your guests, this factors in size, shape, ergonomics and as mentioned before the materials chosen to build the chair.

Start by Understanding the Functionality

The function of a bar stool may differ from one home to another, one room to another. You can have bar stools as part of your bar furniture and outdoor bar stools, or a kitchen bar with stools each providing a different type of seating, but the function of the bar stools is basically the same wherever your chairs are.

The purpose of a bar stool is to provide comfortable and relaxing seating in a limited space. There are a variety of shapes, sizes and styles for modern luxury bar stools, each delivering the same function within differing aesthetic modalities.

Breakfast bar stools with backs are growing in popularity because they are more comfortable and invite guests to sit a little longer. The support given by the backrest makes these stools a viable option for extended seating possibly through a formal meal. Although they may require more space than the basic stool, stools with a backrest and in some cases even armrests are similar enough to dining chairs to turn a counter into a designated dining area.

A woman is enjoying her drink while sitting on a luxurious black bar stool, positioned in front of a sleek bar counter.

Figuring Out the Right Height

One of the most appealing characteristics of barstools is how they can fit against existing furniture and create a seating area without the need for an additional table. The height of your stools is based mainly on the height of your surface because that is an unchanging height. This may not be appropriate or comfortable for everyone who may sit on the chair. Footrests and adjustable-height seating can make your chairs better fit for people at different heights. Typically there should be around 25 cm between the seat of your bar stool and your countertop or surface.

Furniture manufacturers build furniture based on standard sizing conventions, and bar furniture is generally built with the conventional counter height in mind. You must consider this and take the measurements of your bar or counter height to ensure the stools you would like are compatible with your home, especially if you have bespoke aspects within your home. This aspect has made adjustable or custom-made stools quite appealing for curated homes, as these can be designed from the ground up to exactly suit your needs.

A classy white bar stool with wooden legs, set in front of a stylish table illuminated by a stunning pendant light.

Figuring Out the Number of Stools You Need

Something to consider when buying a table is that furniture manufacturers often designate how many chairs can comfortably fit around a particular table, or style of design. For the most part, bar stools are makeshift seating and how many chairs you can line up at your bar is dependent on the length or size of your bar and how close or sparse you want your seating to be.

Consider a space of around 15 cm between your stools to create comfortable seating that isn’t so close together to be uncomfortable. This method not only takes into consideration the varying lengths and sizes of your bar but also the width of your chairs which differs from one design to another.

There is no set number of chairs you need to have to complete your bar, but a benefit of having bar seating over table seating is that an odd number of chairs is perfectly acceptable at a bar whereas it could make a dining table look uneven or out of balance.

Modern cream leather bar stools with wooden legs, elegantly positioned in front of a stylish table.

Design & Materials to Choose From

There are a variety of stool shapes and styles to suit different aesthetic preferences and levels of comfort. You can choose the material, colour and shape of your chairs to suit your space and provide your chosen level of comfort.

Armless or With Arms

Traditional bar stools without a back or armrests are a great option when you’re looking to get as many chairs as possible around a shorter bar. They will also fit neatly under the bar taking up minimal floor space when they aren’t in use. Although they are a practical choice, they are not devoid of visual charm.

Material Choices

Highlight your utilitarian choice with materials like leather and iron. With a distinctly industrial look that can be softened through colour, for example, cream barstools even in leather with iron legs blend softness and a simple practical appearance that can give your space an edge.

With or Without Backrests

Stools with a backrest offer more support and are similar to dining chairs in shape and style making them look and feel more inviting. Choosing soft and luxurious materials can emphasise your style choice. A velvet bar stool makes an elegant statement about style, class and comfort traditionally reserved for the dining room.

Kitchen chairs on the other hand are practical and are custom-made with consideration of the moisture and possibility of staining in the kitchen. Oak barstools are a modern ode to that style and the classic kitchen chair with contemporary considerations.

Base Designs

When choosing your stools, do not overlook the legs of your bar chairs. They contribute to the comfort and balance of your chair as well as their appearance. Consider the combination of materials as well as how that fits into the rest of the room. Thin metal legs give your chairs an elegant mid-century modern appearance and can take the industrial edge off practical leather stools if you are looking for an even softer look than the play on colour can offer. Thicker and more ornate chair legs can add complementary colour and shape to your stools without interfering with the seating.

Elegant grey and cream-colored bar stools, positioned by the sleek and sophisticated bar counter.

Additional Features to Look Out For

Bar stools do not have to be more decorative than comfortable. Looking for features that contribute to the comfort of your chairs is one way of making sure you get as much use out of them as possible.

Upholstery

Choosing upholstered bar chairs in combination with an ergonomic shape can make your chair look and feel more comfortable and inviting.

Adjustable Heights

Bar stools are made to suit the height of your cupboard or bar and not necessarily the height of the person sitting in it which matters more in high chairs than it would in ordinary chairs. Choosing chairs with an adjustable height either through an ordinary lever mechanism or the more efficient gas lift can make your chairs instantly customisable to suit the height and the needs of the person sitting at it.

Leg Rest

Another feature that can make a high chair more comfortable is a leg rest which doesn’t necessarily have to be a separate piece of furniture. Stools can be made with a built-in leg rest near the base or between the legs of the chair.

When sitting on a stool for extended periods of time as you would if having dinner at the kitchen counter or having a relaxed drink at a bar, a place to rest your legs is a welcome comfort.

Vibrant pink bar stools with golden legs, complementing the white marble bar counter.

Discover the World’s Best Luxury Bar Stools at FCI London

Your home is your sanctuary and choosing the right furniture for every part of it is a delicate and involved process guided by the physical constraints of your home and your personal tastes and style. Buying the perfect barstools is a subjective task dependent not only on what you can fit into your home but also on your definition of comfort, luxury and style.

Beautiful; furniture is variable and to make sure you get to see and experience your idea of beauty, cast a wide net and visit a furniture showroom large enough to effortlessly accommodate the ever-expanding ideas of style.

FCI London has one of the largest showrooms in London offering a wide variety to satisfy every taste and style, with luxury designer bar stools from the world's best designers and award-winning service.

Be inspired by our thoughtfully curated displays put together with care to highlight every feature of our furniture collection.

Talk to us about customised furniture, and professional installation and meet one of our professional interior designers to help you navigate style, comfort and what barstools would look absolutely perfect in your home.

Book an Appointment with a Design Expert

From getting your proportions right to nailing your style, our design team is at your disposal to help you find the perfect stools and bar stools. Take advantage of our free consultation service by visiting our award-winning showroom today.

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