No kitchen breakfast bar is complete without some stools or chairs. A few well-chosen bar stools at your countertop will greatly enhance its functionality, turning it into a casual eating area as well as a space for food prep.
Bar stools are great when entertaining friends and family before dinner, too — especially if your home bar is close by. Plus, they can introduce pops of colour to an otherwise understated kitchen island, or add texture via seating materials like leather or boucle.
We've found plenty of sizes and styles of bar stool for all budgets, with adjustable and half-height options included. Read on, and we'll serve up something to suit your space.
The best breakfast bar stools for your kitchen-diner
Designed with sleek tapered legs and traditional spindle rods on the backrest, John Lewis' spindle bar stools are reminiscent of a classic Ercol design – without the hefty price tag.
If you're after the real thing, we've fallen for this beautifully curved, pale oak Ercol option that has been designed exclusively for John Lewis.
We were thrilled when Dusk expanded from bedding into furniture. The brand's classically shaped bar stools, finished in a breezy lightweight linen weave, will warm up minimal schemes.
Slim, tapered legs, deep-toned mango wood seats and an angular form make for a sleek pair of bar stools. The combination of black and gold is fabulously Art Deco, too.
The furniture-makers at Swoon craft all the brand's pieces by hand, so when it's delivered to your door, you know you'll be getting something a little bit special.
We love rattan furniture, and here's a great example of why. This retro bar stool comes in two colours and would suit various interior schemes, from ultra-traditional to modern.
The use of bentwood in the stool's design demonstrates a flair and attention to detail that belies the stool's mid-market pricing.
There's a special kind of retro glamour to a velvet bar stool. These fine examples from Blue Elephant combine a backless, cushioned seat with black metal legs to sumptuous effect.
If you're not keen on the teal upholstery of these stools, you can also buy them in grey, red, black, dark green or pink.
With its wishbone design, this Dunelm breakfast bar stool looks considerably more expensive than its price tag would suggest. A wood frame and paper cord seat bring rustic appeal, while the black finish adds a hint of modernity.
If this isn't your colour, the stool can be purchased in several alternative finishes, including grey, walnut and white.
If you aim to add a touch of influencer glam to your kitchen, this set of faux leather bar stools is just the ticket. A pearly grey shade, roll top back and tufted finish will bring some elegance to your home.
A whole collection of furniture is available in this style — including a bar table, dining table sets, beds, side tables, sideboards and wardrobes.
Copper can impart warmth and depth to a room and this luxurious bar stool would make a superb addition to your kitchen-diner, with a space age base design that's light years ahead of the average four-legged stool.
John Lewis' ANYDAY range contains many interesting pieces at prices that genuinely surprise us, and this bar stool is one of them.
It's minimal without feeling stark, and comes in four colours so you can mix and match or just find the right one for your space. Have a look at the buyer pics on the product page — they contain some lovely inspiration on how to use these chairs to best effect.
These wooden stools, with angular metal legs, hint at an industrial aesthetic without feeling quite so stark.
We're lucky enough to have these bar stools in our own busy kitchen, and they have held up beautifully over the last couple of years. After long-term heavy use, the stools remain easy to clean, and equally easy on the eye.
Well-equipped to blend into all sorts of interiors, this set of bar stools delivers a homely feel via its chunky legs and soft, velvet finish. At under £80 for the pair, this is a remarkably good-value option to upgrade your kitchen space.
Shorter and neater than most, these streamlined wooden bar stools are a space-efficient seating solution to use at the kitchen counter (although not at a tall kitchen counter, due to their relatively low profile). We really enjoy the solid wood construction and subtly curved seats.