The best starting point when choosing bar stools is a tape measure. A stool can look right in a photograph but leave too little knee room, take up too much floor space or sit at the wrong height for your bench.
This bar stool buying guide explains what to measure and which features to compare before choosing from our bar stools collection.
Seat height means the distance from the floor to the sitting surface, not the top of the backrest. Measure the underside of your bench where your knees will sit, including any apron or support rail.
Allow roughly 25–30cm between the seat and that underside as a starting point for legroom. Comfort varies with the person and stool design, so check the actual space rather than relying only on labels such as “counter stool” or “bar stool”.
| Floor to underside of bench | Starting seat-height range |
|---|---|
| 85cm | 55–60cm |
| 90cm | 60–65cm |
| 100cm | 70–75cm |
These examples use the measured underside height, not the benchtop height. For an adjustable stool, check its stated seat-height range; an adjustable mechanism does not guarantee it will suit every bench.
Compare the full width and depth, including arms, legs and the base. A broad pedestal can take up more room than the seat suggests. A swivel seat also needs clearance from nearby stools, walls and cabinet handles.
Mark the footprints on the floor with removable tape. Check that each person can sit down, turn and get up without blocking a doorway or walkway. Try the layout with the intended number of stools before ordering a set.
If the stools need to tuck under the bench, check the height of any arms and backrest as well as the seat.
A backrest gives you something to lean against during meals or conversation. A backless design can be easier to tuck away, but it provides a different sitting experience. A footrest is worth checking when your feet will not reach the floor.
Fixed-height stools remove the need to adjust the seat. Gas-lift designs offer flexibility within their specified range. Consider whether a swivel is useful in your room and whether there is enough space for it to turn.
Read the stated weight capacity for the exact model. Appearance alone does not establish stability, capacity or suitability for frequent use.
For kitchen seating, compare cleaning instructions as well as colour. Fabric, synthetic leather, timber and plastic finishes need different care. Check whether covers are removable and whether the manufacturer permits the cleaning method you plan to use.
For a patio or balcony, choose a model specifically described as suitable for that outdoor location. A metal frame or rattan-look seat does not, by itself, confirm weather resistance.
If buying for a café, salon or other business, confirm commercial suitability and applicable warranty terms before ordering. A home-use stool should not automatically be treated as commercial seating.
Read the assembly requirements and follow the supplied instructions, including any transport-cap removal step specified for a gas lift. Use the stool on a level surface and keep all feet or the full base supported.
Do not stand on the seat, lean the stool onto two legs or exceed its stated capacity. Check fixings as directed by the manufacturer.
Browse our bar stools and compare individual specifications. See our Shipping & Delivery Policy, or contact us if a measurement or intended use needs clarification.
