Bar Stools — Breakfast Bar & Kitchen Bar Stools
Bar stools are the seating for taller surfaces — a raised breakfast bar, a home bar, or a split-level kitchen island. Sitting higher than a counter stool, a bar stool is designed for surfaces of around 100 to 110cm, with a seat height in the region of 73 to 81cm. This page covers bar-height stools specifically: how to be sure bar height is what you need, and the styles to choose from once you are.
Below you'll find how to check bar height suits your surface, and the main styles — swivel, adjustable, and with or without a back.
Is a bar stool the right height for your surface
A true bar stool suits a tall surface. As a rough guide, a raised bar or breakfast bar of around 100 to 110cm calls for a seat height of about 73 to 81cm, keeping the comfortable 25 to 30cm gap between the seat and the underside of the surface. If your surface is a standard kitchen counter or island of around 90cm, a bar stool will usually sit too high — a counter stool is the better fit there.
One thing to watch: "breakfast bar" is used loosely, and not every breakfast bar is bar height. Some are built at standard counter height, in which case a counter stool is what you need despite the name. The reliable approach is always to measure your surface and check the seat height, rather than going by the label. Our bar and counter stools page explains how to measure and compare the two heights in full.
Bar stool styles
Once the height is right, the style is where you make the stool your own.
Swivel bar stools
A swivel bar stool has a rotating seat, so you can turn to talk, sit down or get up without dragging the stool across the floor. That makes swivels a natural fit for kitchen islands and breakfast bars, where people sit, turn and socialise. They come in every material, from sleek leather to warm wood, and pair easily with modern and open-plan kitchens.
Adjustable and gas-lift bar stools
An adjustable bar stool uses a gas-lift lever to raise and lower the seat across a range of heights, rather than sitting at one fixed measurement. That flexibility makes them a practical answer for a surface that falls between counter and bar height, a multi-purpose space, or a household where people vary in height — you simply set the seat where it's comfortable. Many adjustable stools also swivel.
Bar stools with and without backs
A bar stool with a back gives more support, which makes a real difference if you sit for longer stretches at the bar. A backless bar stool is sleeker and more space-saving, tucking fully under the surface when not in use and keeping the look minimal. Which suits you comes down to how long you tend to sit and how much you want the stools to stand out or disappear.
Choosing bar stools for your kitchen or home bar
Start by confirming the height, since it's the one thing that has to be right — measure your surface and aim for that 25 to 30cm gap between seat and counter. Then think about spacing: allow around 15 to 20cm between stools so people have elbow room, which usually works out at roughly one stool per 60cm of bar. Finally, choose the style and material to suit the room and how much use the stools will get — a wipe-clean leather or a hard-wearing fabric for a busy family bar, something softer like velvet for a quieter spot. If you'd like to try the height and the swivel action in person, you're welcome to visit our Enniskillen showroom, where our team can help you get the fit right.
Bar stool FAQs
What height is a bar stool?
A bar stool typically has a seat height of around 73 to 81cm, designed for tall surfaces such as a raised breakfast bar or home bar of about 100 to 110cm. This keeps a comfortable 25 to 30cm gap between the seat and the underside of the surface. For a standard 90cm kitchen counter, a lower counter stool is usually the better fit.
What is the difference between a bar stool and a breakfast bar stool?
They often mean the same thing, but "breakfast bar" can be misleading, because some breakfast bars are built at standard counter height rather than bar height. A true bar stool suits a tall surface of around 100 to 110cm. The safest approach is to measure your breakfast bar and match the seat height to it, rather than relying on the name.
Are swivel bar stools a good idea?
Yes, for most kitchens. A swivel bar stool lets you turn to sit, stand or chat without dragging the stool, which suits kitchen islands and breakfast bars where people move around and socialise. Many swivel stools also adjust in height, combining rotation with flexibility. The main trade-off is that swivel mechanisms add a little to the cost.
Should I choose bar stools with or without a back?
It depends on how long you sit. Bar stools with backs give more support for longer sitting, while backless stools are sleeker, more space-saving and tuck fully under the bar. If your bar is used for quick breakfasts and drinks, backless works well; if people linger for meals or conversation, a back adds welcome comfort.