9 Bar Stools That’ll Make Your Kitchen Island the Best Place to Gather

The Homall Adjustable Swiveling Bar Stools may look simple, but they're the total package. These faux-leather bar stools have a little more cushioning than most other models do. They swivel and are height-adjustable between 22 and 33 inches. We're naming them the best overall because they're a great value for having all of the features you need in a new set of bar stools.

Reviewers also repeatedly tout their easy assembly, with one person saying, “It took me less than 30 minutes from unwrapping to set up. Perfect color, good cushion.”

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If you want to recreate the look of your favorite all-day cafe at your home’s kitchen island, the Aklaus Farmhouse Bar Stools will help you get that style on a dime. Each bar stool in this set costs $55, making this one far more affordable than other sets. They’re outfitted with high backs, too, for a little more seated support.

Reviewers say that these modern-farmhouse-style bar stools are a cinch to assemble, with one person saying that it took them “less than 10 minutes to assemble all four chairs.”

With their simple geometric shape, the Luca LeatherSoft Dining Stools look like they can go with everything. They dress up a simple breakfast nook or kitchen island with their polyester-leather upholstery. Plus, their contoured bucket seats won’t make your seat go numb after only a few minutes of sitting.

These lightweight bar stools are a snap to assemble, and the material holds up surprisingly well to everyday wear and tear in a busy family home. Says one reviewer, “I have cleaned nail polish off them, paint, dried food, dirt, pretty much everything, and they still look great.”

Adding a well-placed dash of vintage-inspired flair, the Allmodern Walsh Bar Stools will be the seats that everyone scrambles to sit in first. These S-shaped bar stools couple a sleek form with practical comfort — they have footrests, cushioned velvet seats, and high backs that are accented in rattan caning.

Reviewers adore them because they prove that high-quality style and practicality can exist in one product. They may be pricey, but you do get what you pay for. As one person sums up, “They are super comfortable, easy to put together, and most of all FUNKY!”

If you’re looking for a chic bar stool that will make a statement in your space, these Parisian bistro-style bar stools are your best bet. Each bar stool is crafted from premium-grade Manau, a sustainably sourced rattan that’s rich in color and incredibly durable. Their high backs make them a comfortable place to gather and relax, and the handwoven resin seats are easy to wipe clean with just a damp cloth.

Our tester says, “These bar stools totally transformed my kitchen. I had fabric bar stools before these, which stained very easily despite my best efforts to keep them clean. Although I was concerned that I might be sacrificing comfort for style when switching from fabric to handwoven bar stools, these are actually much more comfortable. Plus, they’re super easy to clean!”

As you might expect, the West Elm Wayne Leather Armless Swivel Bar Stool is an investment piece that isn't cheap in any sense. Sold individually, this bar stool is built for the ultimate at-home entertaining hub — its deep seat swivels from side to side, and its round back is very comfortable and supportive.

We've experienced this bar stool for ourselves, and even though it may look understated, you can sit in it for hours without feeling fatigued. Choose between the 26- or 30-inch height, 12 genuine- or vegan-leather upholstery colors, and two leg colors.

If your kitchen island also doubles as your work-from-home setup on occasion, the Mercury Row Araiza Bar Stools offer more padding than most to make longer-term sitting a little comfier. (Yes, you can actually sit back in them!)

The channel-tufted velvet seats look and feel high-quality, and the stools are light enough to be picked up with one hand, say some reviewers. As one person says, “I absolutely love the color and the texture of these counter stools. They’re comfortable, sturdy, minimalistic, and easy to assemble.”

The Roundhill Furniture Ellston Upholstered Adjustable Swivel Barstools bring classiness and comfort. These seats swivel and can also be raised between 36 and 44.5 inches, so taller guests can have a bit more legroom, too. The contoured bucket seats are elegant but also comfy, and many reviewers love the vibrancy of the velvet upholstery.

Along with the aesthetic, users also say that they assemble easily and feel nice and sturdy. Says one person, “Everything you need is included. Instructions were clear and easy to follow. I’m tempted to order another set.”

We adore the playful color pop that the Fondren Upholstery Bar Stools provide in a space. The polyester-fabric seats come in 10 different shades, and you can even choose between metallic bronze or wood-like brown legs for most colors. (Just keep in mind that both options for the legs are painted metal.)

These bar stools have contoured seats, and although they’re firm, reviewers say they’re enjoyable to sit on. As one person sums up, “Chairs look amazing and were easy to assemble. They are sturdy and super comfy.”