The Hero Kitchen Stool
 
 
Pulling up a Kitchen or Barstool to a kitchen bench happens many times across the course of a day in most homes. From a quick casual breakfast to overseeing homework or entertaining friends and family while meals are prepared, this often overlooked piece of furniture can be a real workhorse. But for a seemingly simple item, they also demand a lot. They need to be comfortable, resilient and aesthetically work with both the kitchen and most likely the other furniture in the open-planned space. With so many beautiful options available, we’re here to tell you they can become the “hero” piece of the kitchen, taking the view that they’re no longer accessories, but functional works of art. Here’s our guide to barstools.
 
Vibe
Like any selection in the home, choosing a barstool will likely be led by style. You will be drawn to styles by default, whether that be preference for a type of design, or aspirationally you’re seeking to achieve a certain vibe. Laid-back coastal? Light colours, timber stains, rattans and linens will be right at home. Cutting-edge contemporary? Slick, high-contrast, minimal fuss, attention to detail and you have a winner. Then there are the rooms where the barstool can tell the story, such as in a relatively simple kitchen design where the furniture will lead the way, whether it be, luxurious, unexpected, modern or classic.
 
Making an Impact
Making an impact with barstools can happen in many ways, where they catch your eye as soon as you walk into the room and last in your memory long after you leave. This can be achieved by selecting an unexpected piece (think: bold shapes in a simple kitchen) or contrasting (think: black against a white kitchen or textured seat against a slick bench).
 
Materiality
Materials matter in more than one way. We want materials to withstand the use they will receive- and when it comes to barstools, that can be often. We also want them to be in keeping with the look we’re trying to achieve. Each material lends itself to a particular style and adds another layer to the overall feel. For a harmonious space, you can try to reference an existing piece of furniture, such as a timber stain or rattan used elsewhere in the space. For the stool to become the real “hero”, it might require a bold choice, such as leather not found anywhere else in the room.
 
Size Up
On a very practical note, ensure the measurements of the bench will work with the barstool you select. While many measurements are standard, both with bench heights and barstools, the tape measure should still come out to ensure the stool will both fit and be comfortable to use. Consider the back of the chair too- do you want a back or are you happy with just the seat? How will the back of the seat height impact the look you’re trying to achieve?
 
Rest of the Room, Take Note
One of the biggest quandaries when selecting barstools is deciding it they should seamlessly work with the other pieces of furniture in the room or if they should sing to their own tune (while still working stylistically within the space). As they’re seen as an extension of the kitchen, it can be helpful to use that as a starting point rather than the rest of the room. You can then reference the material or style of the barstool by adding smaller pieces in the adjacent room- such as a leather ottoman, a rattan bowl or a timber side table. You never know- the barstool may be the catalyst for a whole new interior design direction!