Hamptons Kitchen Stools

The difference comes down to height. Counter stools are made for standard kitchen counters or islands, which are usually around 90 cm high, so counter stool seats are typically about 60-65 cm from the floor. Bar stools are taller, designed for bar-height tables or pub counters around 105-110 cm high, with seat heights around 75 cm. In short, bar stools are higher than counter stools, choosing the right one ensures your seating is comfortable for your counter height.

First, measure your counter’s height from the floor to the underside of the counter. As a rule of thumb, allow about 25-30 cm of space between the top of the stool seat and the bottom of your counter for comfortable legroom. For example, if your kitchen island is 90 cm tall, a stool with a seat around 60-65 cm high is ideal. Most stool product descriptions will list the seat height, so match that to your counter height (minus the 25-30 cm clearance) to find the perfect fit.

It depends on your needs and aesthetic preferences. Backless stools offer a clean, open look and can be completely tucked under the counter when not in use, which is great for saving space and maintaining sightlines in your kitchen. Stools with backs provide more support and comfort, making them better for longer sitting or if you want a more chair-like feel at the island. They do stick up above the counter visually, so they become more of a design feature in the room. Consider how much time you’ll spend sitting at the island and whether a streamlined look or added comfort is the priority