I’m on the hunt for counter stools for the kitchen. We need 2-3 at the kitchen island and one extra for the kitchen desk.
Because I want them all to match and one of them will be my desk stool, I’m only considering stools that have a back.
I think counter stools are my best opportunity to add walnut wood to the kitchen, as I mentioned in my kitchen inspiration post. There are so many amazing walnut counter stools (look below).
The first thing I do when considering a counter stool is look at the image of the back. When it’s tucked in at the island, that’s how you’re going to see it most of the time. The back view is the most important (which is why my collage shows back views when possible).
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.
Where to Shop
Hands down, the three best places online to find affordable modern counter (and bar) stools are:
But I looked everywhere and found 18 amazing options.
18 Midcentury Modern Counter Stools
The silhouette of #1 and #2 makes me swoon. But are they comfortable?
I’m not opposed to upholstered stools like #7 and #10 but worry about durability. It’d probably be easy to recover the seat of #6 (I’m not a fan of black faux leather.)
Brown leather stools, like #13 or #15, could add the same warmth as walnut.
I’m not looking for white stools, but I had to include #16 and #17 because those criss-cross details are👌perfection.
For my fellow color lovers: #12 is so fun (comes in nine different colors!), but seems better suited as outdoor furniture. #18 has metal accents in your choice of eight different colors.
- Norman Counter Stool
- Langley Street Olivia Stool
- Charcoal Gray Woven Aimee Stool
- Classic Cafe Walnut Stool
- Flavius Stool
- Lara Walnut and Black Faux Leather Stool – Set of 2
- Slope Upholstered Stool
- Kian Upholstered Stool
- Chip Counter Stool
- Holmdel Counter Stool
- Cacey Bentwood Stool – Set of 2
- Hot Mesh Counterstool
- Bowden Faux Leather Counter Stool
- Darvin Stool
- Pike Synthetic Leather Stool
- Sidera White Stools
- Project 62 Metal X Back Stool – Set of 2 (these are insanely affordable, plus the reviews are good)
- Public Counter Stool (pick your accent color for metal parts)
Kitchen Mockups – Which stools look best?
The big question is: Which stool do I want to see three or four of in my new kitchen?
To get a better idea of how they would look in the kitchen, I created mockups of my top choices.
After making all these mockups, I think my instinct to look for walnut counter stools was spot on. The walnut tone adds a nice warm element to our white kitchen. We might have to put this one to a family vote.
Which stools do you think look the best? Do you have any of these stools? Please report on how comfortable they are.
I like #17 the best! Since they are affordable, have them stained in the walnut color of your choice. Best of both worlds.
Thank you. As it turns out, #17 is a powder coated metal stool, so staining wouldn’t be an option.
Hi Jackie, all nice choices.
#9 and #15 appeal to me most, simply because legs are not splayed out and look more streamlined if needing four stools. Don’t know the room you have, splayed legs might knock against each other pulling them in and out. The airiness of #16 and #12 are nice too, and although 16 is a cool design for mid-century, looks like a really wide stool. I always prefer a cleaner look and don’t care for complicated legs and cross bars:) Good luck.- G
Gina, I agree. Our last stools were similar #17, but in wood and they were really wide. I definitely want something more streamlined because our new island has solid (not open) ends. The space between for stools is 72”. That’s why I might only do two stools at the island.
I love a lot of these but you could weed a few out on function. Especially for a desk, I would want a foot rail to hook my feet over, and would prefer a swivel seat.
Good luck in all your choices.
I like #2 and #4– the shapes are simple and the color is beautiful. Either one would add a nice warmth to your kitchen.
Thanks Karen. I think those are my top picks.
For comfort I would choose #10 or #8. Especially for a desk, I’d want something padded so I could sit there and work for a while without getting uncomfortable. But in your mockup with #10, I’m not sure how well it works. The color is awesome, but with the teal island and the sky blue tile, the turquoise/aqua upholstery and lighter wood tone don’t quite gel for me. #8 might be a good solution. I think the darker wood tone brings the warmth of the walnut options you like, and the gray upholstery would coordinate nicely with the stainless appliances. #4, the Café Walnut Stools, look beautiful, but I would be concerned they wouldn’t be comfortable, since they have no padding.
Yes, comfort is top of my list too. I probably could add a chair pad to #4 for a little cushion. Thankfully, I don’t ever sit at my computer all day.
Great options! Looking forward to seeing your LR floor plan options, and how your kitchen, dining, living room furniture choices all work together.
Tonia, I’ll be sure to share.
Of your top choices I prefer 2 and 4. 4 is a safer pick, but 2 is appealing and some reviewers said they are comfortable. I like the look of 3 stools at the counter. Number 4 seems like it might be more practical and durable with children while still being very attractive.
I like # 11, the color of the fabric is going to complement the color palette of your beautiful kitchen.