As more and more people transition from out-on-the-town social gatherings and embrace the home-entertainer role, the need for sufficient seating increases. There has been a significant rise in popularity in modern luxury stools and swivel stools in particular, being incorporated into nearly all contemporary homes, as they not only offer much-needed seating but also add profound visual impact. Their slender structure and ergonomics have made them a preferred choice over traditional dining chairs, particularly for casual dining.

Modern grey upholstered swivel bar stool paired with a minimalist white ceramic round table for a fresh, contemporary vibe.

Bar stools add elegance to a variety of spaces regardless of the layout and decor. Whether they’re placed in open-plan, compact or vast living spaces, these chic comfort-centric pieces of furniture transform the overall atmosphere in your home with ease.

Our experts have noticed a few common mistakes when selecting the ideal designs; hence, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide you with delectable nuggets of insider tips that’ll be sure to aid your decision-making.

To Swivel or Not to Swivel?

This is quite the debate, as many people don’t see the need for the swivel, whereas others can’t live without it. There are a number of elements to consider before deciding whether swivel bar stools are for you or not.

Pros

Easy movement: This can be particularly helpful if you or your guests battle with mobility issues. The easy movement that comes with these seats makes getting on and off less strenuous.

Full view of the room: As it turns 360 degrees, engaging with the entire room of guests is a breeze. This is perfect in open-plan living spaces, as those seated on the bar stool can still be a part of the conversation taking place in the main seating area.

Fidgeters dream: People who have an incessant need to fidget absolutely love this chair as it allows them to fulfill that pressing need without interrupting the conversation and coming across as anxious.

Reach for snacks: Reaching for a snack or nearby item is easy as you don’t have to strain to awkwardly turn in the direction of the item or jump off to reach it.

Luxury blue swivel stool, seamlessly placed in a modern space, perfectly complementing the decor.

Cons:

Unwanted movement

It can be annoying to some to move when you don’t want to move and since there isn’t generally a locking system to keep your seat in place, you might not enjoy swinging when you actually want to be still.

Child-safety

It goes without saying that children are bound to enjoy this function a little too much at times, which can pose some safety issues.

Maintenance

Unlike their stationery counterparts, swivel bar stools require regular upkeep as dust can accumulate and hinder the performance of the mechanism. This necessitates regular cleaning and lubrication.

Classy grey fabric and brown leather swivel stools paired with a small coffee table in a cozy space.

Making the Final Call

At the end of it all, the decision to get a swivel bar stool depends solely on your personal preference. There’s an abundance of high-end brands crafting versatile, functional and visually appealing designs to ensure your modern home gets the convenience and sophistication it deserves.

Misguided as they may be, some people tend to believe these furniture pieces diminish the upscale atmosphere they’ve so beautifully created within their homes. However, the wide range of materials they come in, as well as the unique designs available, are a testament to their versatility. Take Cattelan Italia, for example; they have a stunning selection of luxury designs at your disposal. The sleek theme is consistent throughout the range and complements industrial, traditional, and minimalist aesthetics alike. There are also various other designer brands like Rugiano, Cierre, and Eichholtz that offer spectacular designs for every taste.

Elegant  cream upholstered swivel bar stools with stylish backs, enhancing the look of a black ceramic kitchen island.

Different Types of Swivel Stools

Before we dive into the various types of swivelling bar stools out there, let’s first unravel the different mechanisms to help you establish which of these are ideal for you. The different mechanisms were carefully designed to ensure the stool meets all of your needs and presents no surprises.

Pneumatic

Pneumatic swivel allows you to adjust the height of the stool to your liking; however, they are not suited for heavy duty.

Return

These are perfect if you want restricted freedom. Unlike the 360-degree swivel, these only rotate to either 90 or 180 degrees and have an added function that returns the seat to the original setting when you stand up.

Heavy-duty

Typically used in casinos, these come in a 3-degree pitch and also only rotate to 90 degrees.

Nylon Race

The elite swivel, if you will; these little helpers have astounding durability and are therefore on the costly side. They function identically to ball bearing swivels but generally come with a 10-year warranty.

Ball bearing

As the more economical option, these are the most commonly found swivel stool. Though they are considerably reliable, they do not come with a warranty and are said to sometimes distribute weight inconsistently.

Now that you’ve got a better understanding of the types of swivels, let’s dive right into the plethora of styles to choose from.

Vibrant  orange swivel bar stools with backs and metallic legs, complementing a modern ceramic counter.

Backless

A common choice, backless swivel stools are comfortable, and their design allows for easy storing. They fit snugly under the counter, allowing them to take up space only when needed. It’s important to note that they may be less than ideal for prolonged seating as they don’t offer any form of back support. There’s an array of contemporary designs in this style, like industrial, mid-century or rustic—which you will find is made entirely of wood (even the seat). While visually appealing, some might argue they are not necessarily as comfortable as ones with padded and upholstered seats.

Swivel Bar Stools With Backs

Evidently, modern swivel stools with backrests allow for a more comfortable and inviting seat. These are the stools designed for prolonged use, and luxury brands offer only the finest padding, so your physical health takes preference. They come in an array of materials, but the most comfortable among them are upholstered. The fully upholstered bar stool not only offers supreme comfort but also reduces accidental damage to your counter, should the back somehow make contact.

With Arms

You cannot go wrong with this option, as it not only offers additional comfort because of the backs but also the armrests. Armrests provide your arms with a resting place and ensure you’re not slouching or your arms are not merely dangling at your sides, which is terrific since this position negatively impacts posture. It is also the ideal choice for prolonged sitting. Those who have children will benefit from this feature, as it offers a layer of protection for children as well as offers support getting on and off the stool. Armed barstools do, however, take up a significant amount of space and should be chosen in accordance with your storage needs. Any space that requires ample walking room behind the chair should be able to fit under the counter with ease.

Where can Swivel Stools be Used?

Luxury swivel bar stools, whether with or without backs, will always have a place in your home, regardless of your aesthetic choice. They instantly elevate your layout and add sophistication and visual impact to your ensemble. Below are some ideas where you can get optimal use out of them:

  • Kitchen: They can be housed beautifully along your kitchen island or peninsula, not only as a high-end breakfast nook but also a place where you can attend to preparations while seated.
  • Home Office: Perfect for escaping those low, pain-inducing office chairs for a bit. Quality barstools offer better posture and, in turn, better efficiency.
  • Dining room: They are typically easy to move, which means they can be used in the dining room for extra seating when needed.
  • Outdoors: Whether on your patio or balcony, they are perfect for the ever-increasingly prevalent outdoor entertainment setting. They offer comfortable, luxury seating without taking up a great deal of space.
  • There are many weather-resistant options, some of which even have specialized drainage features to ensure water does not get trapped in the mechanisms.

Luxurious cream velvet swivel stools enhancing the ambiance of a stylish bar setting.

Things to Consider Before Buying

This investment will seat many family members and guests alike, so in order to ensure you deliver on comfort as well as style, our experts have provided us with the key considerations.

Stunning grey swivel stools and a sleek coffee table, perfectly placed in a modern living room with a cozy fireplace.

Height

Understanding your height requirements is crucial. There are two options to choose from, and these are bar height and counter height.

  • Bar height: Offers significant surface space to work with as it is quite high from the floor to the bar. Stools catering for bar heights range between 73–81 cm from the floor to the seat.
  • Counter height: These offer slightly less surface as it refers to lower kitchen counter heights. These stools range between 58–71 cm from the floor to the seat.

Adjustability

Understandably, many people prefer the freedom of adjusting the height of their stool, which makes the previous point less of a burden. Adjustable bar stools are convenient and come in the following options:

  • Cantilever: Unlike fully adjustable stools, cantilever stools bounce lightly when sitting on them and lower ever so slightly to provide a touch of added comfort that cannot be found with fixed-height stools. They cannot be adjusted further; however, this underestimated feature can make a considerable difference to your seating experience.
  • Gas lift: These are fully adjustable and offer tremendous freedom. They can be lowered for children and shorter people or lifted all the way to fit taller guests.

Ergonomics

The physical wellness of your family and guests is an important aspect to factor in when making your decision. The most comfortable among barstools not only swivel but also come with thick padding, meticulously woven upholstery, and back, feet, and arm support. These ensure your guests are not gunning for the first available sofa in the first 30 minutes of sitting down. It also helps to explore the various materials and peculiar shapes, as they have been crafted with comfortability as the top priority.

Quality

When it comes to flexibility, fluidity, and comfort, you cannot skimp out on cheap knockoffs. Contemporary interiors beckon only the finest quality, as this not only complements elegant layouts and decor but also ensures everyone is seated comfortably. High-end brands deliver on all aspects so you can enjoy the durability and longevity of your investment. These products are crafted using superior materials and assembled by knowledgeable artisans who appreciate style and comfort alike. You can distinguish brand excellence by the availability of warranties on their work.

Technology

Surprisingly, technology has recently found its way into bar stools too, making them even more impressive than ever before. With options like gel or memory foam incorporated into the padding, you’re guaranteed an improved seating experience. There are also ones with push-button adjustability or tracked-seating so you are reminded to stretch your legs and get your blood circulating. Other functions include smart fabrics that change colour, which adds to the ease of cleaning.

Contrast

A common misconception is that bar stools and dining chairs need to be closely matched in colour, style, or design. This is not the case at all. It helps to have a seamless blend when they’re kept in the same space, like open-plan living, that they complement each other, but the actual key to achieve a refined look with your stools is to ensure they contrast the floor. They should never match the colour of your floor too closely, as this creates a heavy blended look and doesn’t provide visual balance.

Pull colours from any of the following items in the space where your stools are kept for the best visual appeal:

  • kitchen counters
  • light fixtures
  • appliances

How FCI London Can Help You

As the foremost lifestyle and furniture house in London, our design team has an abundance of experience in creating luxury interiors for any space imaginable. You can put your faith in our longstanding relationship with the best craftsmen and designer brands across Europe and trust that our four decades of collaboration speak for themselves.

Every one of our clients gets to indulge in first-class delivery and installation for every product purchased through us. You can also utilise our complementary services like 3D rendering and project planning and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to not only make your design journey as seamless as possible but also as enjoyable as possible because that is what expression of identity through creativity in interior design is to us.

Visit our 30,000 sq. ft. showroom and immerse yourself in an array of contemporary and traditional furniture pieces.

Book your appointment today!

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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