Stools are an exceptionally diverse category of furniture, available in a wide range of form factors to suit a wide variety of purposes inside and outside of the home. We’ve scoured the web and tapped our favorite designers to find gorgeous picks for every category. Use this buying guide to find dining stools for your breakfast nook or eat-in kitchen, small accent stools that can serve as supplemental seating, ceramic garden stools that make great plant stands, and upholstered stools you can use as stylish footrests. We’ve even included function-forward pieces like stepstools and shower stools, all made with an emphasis on attractive design.
A curved wood backrest and upholstered charcoal grey seat give this stool a pop of decorative contrast. With a seat height of 26 inches, this piece is perfect for use alongside a kitchen counter or a counter-height dining table.
Smooth strips of cognac leather are woven in a basketweave pattern across the backrest and seat to give this counter-height stool supportive comfort with a clean modern look. Pair this piece with mid-century, rustic, or industrial decor elements.
Mogens Lassen Mid-Century Modern Stool: Designed by Mogens Lassen in 1942, the ML42 offers a refined take on the traditional shoemaker’s stool. Each piece is handcrafted by skilled artisans in Denmark – choose from black stained beech or dark oiled oak. Both color options are finished with radiant brass stretchers.
Herman Miller Brass and Wood Stool: Michael Anastassiades pared down the standard dining stool to its most essential components with the Spot Stool, originally released in 2016. This beautiful design puts quality materials in the spotlight – the seat and base made from walnut, the supporting crossbar made from brass-finished steel.
A woven rattan seat gives this bar stool a casual, laidback look. feature a higher seat than counter-height stools, with this model measuring at 30 inches tall – ideal for home bars and bistro tables.
Rattan gives this counter-height stool a breezy look ideal for interior themes like coastal, bohemian, and mid-century, but the unique geometric silhouette makes these suitable for any type of contemporary theme. Each set includes two matching stools.
Modern Cane-Back Black Counter Stool: Minimalistic lines allow this black counter stool to coordinate easily with almost any kitchen or dining room theme while the woven cane back adds a touch of mid-century appeal. This design includes strong stretchers to ensure stability while doubling as a footrest.
Masters Black Counter Stool: Three legendary chair silhouettes are expertly woven into one unique statement piece with the Masters Stool by Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet. Visitors with an eye for design might be able to recognize whispers of the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Molded Shell Chair by Charles and Ray Eames, and the Tulip armchair by Eero Saarinen.
Gold leaf finish adds a glam touch to this tripod stool design, its seat and footrest supported by sturdy hairpin legs for a retro mid-century look. The seat height measures at 24 inches tall, ideal for counter placements and tall tables.
White metal finishes and gold leaf details allow this unique stool to provide an uplifting yet glamorous aesthetic for any space. This piece features a seat height of 30 inches for use with home bars.
These charming feature faux fur seat covers to lend a luxurious look, a perfect pair for the gold-finished framing. Choose from three heights to best suit your table situation.
Kartell Transparent Counter-Height Stool: Crafted from transparent polycarbonate, the One More Stool design by Philippe Starck offers an almost weightless appearance for the modern home. The silhouette draws from traditional influences for decorative appeal that reaches across eras.
Blu Dot Racer Counter Stool: Style and comfort stand in perfect proportion with the Racer Counter Stool by Blu Dot. This piece features a supportive, form-fitting seat made from sculpted plywood that has been lightly padded and upholstered all over. Channel tufting adds a tailored look. Choose from four color options.
Customizable Counter-Height Velvet Stool: Ultra-plush padding and soft velvet upholstery make this stool especially comfortable for a luxurious dining experience, great for long evenings over cocktails with friends. This piece is fully customizable from the upholstery color to the leg finish.
These cantilever stools feature plush channel-tufted velvet for a glamorous look. Choose from two heights and four upholstery color options, each one finished with matte black metal framing for stability.
Muuto Nerd Bar Stool: Muuto’s chic and refined Nerd Chair by David Geckeler is constructed from lacquered ash or natural oak, available in a diverse variety of soft tones to suit any decor palette. These pieces feature exceptional woodworking with no exposed hardware, an exquisite match for modern Scandinavian or minimalistic themes.
Magis Screw-Top Wooden Stool: This playful stool by Konstantin Grcic is made with a conspicuous screw component that allows the height to be adjusted – simply spin the seat until it achieves the height you need for your purposes. The seat stands 18 inches tall at its lowest, perfect for accent placements, and extends all the way to 33 inches in height for placement beside a counter or bar.
This simple wooden stool is given a cozy update with the addition of a handwoven rattan and polypropylene cover, softening the seat while adding a dash of contemporary styling. This piece is available in two sizes and three upholstery colors.
Skagerak Padded Stool: The beautiful Georg Stool by Chris Liljenberg Halstrøm showcases the beauty of untreated natural oak, finished with a rectangular cushion for added comfort. This piece perfectly embodies the appeal of the Nordic hygge aesthetic – cozy, comfortable, and lighthearted.
Piton Industrial Swivel Stool: Exquisitely engineered cast-aluminum construction gives Knoll’s Piton stool a striking industrial aesthetic, the smooth powder-coated finish sure to stand up to the wear and tear over a lifetime of enjoyment. This piece measures at 18 inches in height, making it ideal for accent placements both indoors and outdoors.
Ferm Living Herman Metal Stool: Available in a wide range of seat and leg color combinations, the Herman stool makes it easy to add a pop of sophisticated color to any corner of the home. This medium-sized stool is the perfect height to use as a small side table near a chair, as an occasional seat in the living room, or at the dining table.
Need comfort on the go? This small rolling stool is perfect for task placements like craft rooms, offices, and more. The height is fully adjustable to suit the surface you need to work with, from vanities to standard desks and even dining tables.
This playful stool abounds with multipurpose appeal. Use as an occasional seat, as a stylish footrest, or flip the lid to reveal a convenient tabletop. A small storage compartment makes it easy to banish clutter out of sight.
This durable mushroom stool is designed with active kids in mind. The cover is removable and fully washable, resistant against staining and wear. Choose from four cheerful color options.
Pink and Rose Gold Vanity Stool: Make a glamorous statement with a that feels indulgent in every detail. This piece features a bold sculptural seat upholstered in tailored pink velvet, framed by rose gold at the base and around the padded backrest.
Softsquare Pouf Stool: A simple can be a powerful multipurpose furniture addition to any space. Use as a footrest, pair with a tray to use as a side table, or use as an impromptu seat anywhere. This design features a flexible foam core for excellent support. Removable covers make cleanup a breeze.
Customizable Accent Foot Stool: Create your own ideal interior accent with this fully customizable stool design. The surface is lightly padded and upholstered in your choice of velvet, boucle, linen, or performance fabric in a dizzying array of color options.
Faux Leather Small Stool: This compact stool design is available in a curated range of faux leather upholstery options, each one tailored with bold stitching for an artisanal look. Use as a seat for a small vanity, as a footrest, as a soft side table, or as a convenient seat anywhere.
U-Shaped Accent Stool: Make a playful statement with this small u-shaped stool, sure to capture attention even between uses. This piece is upholstered in cognac faux leather for endless coordination possibilities. Because this design measures at approximately 17 inches tall, it’s suitable for use at shorter vanities or as a casual footrest.
Wool-Upholstered White Stool: Super soft wool upholstery gives this vanity stool tremendous visual texture, sure to make any space feel cozy and comfortable. This swivel stool design is ideal for casual seating in a living room or as a luxurious vanity stool or dressing stool.
Garden stools are another especially versatile piece of furniture. These accents, often made from ceramic, can be used indoors or outdoors as small side tables, footrests, or casual seats. This design features a bamboo texture that shines with a radiant gold finish.
Decorate with an on-trend geometric look indoors or outdoors with this charming drum-shaped ceramic garden stool. Gold and white finishes lend a glamorous touch sure to elevate the look of any space. This piece is crafted from strong yet lightweight ceramic for easy placement anywhere.
This ceramic garden stool features a simplistic cylinder shape with a top flat enough to use as a small side table. Use this piece indoors or outdoors as a seat, footrest, table, or plant stand.
Tokyo Pop Grey Stool Table: Celebrated designer Tokujin Yoshioka created this stool as part of his debut Tokyo-Pop collection. This piece features a fluid surface enhanced by the slightly mirrored finish, a moody and ethereal accent with tremendous artistic appeal.
Folding stools are ideal for small spaces, able to be packed up and stored away easily between uses. This design features a sturdy rubberwood body and a grey vegan leather seat – also available in light brown. Use as a luggage rack, a vanity seat, or keep a small collection folded away to accommodate larger gatherings.
Bukto Folding Step Stool: With the Bukto step stool, designer Henrik Bønnelycke showcases the aesthetic potential of a tool often viewed as nothing more than a utilitarian staple. This beautiful design features clean lines and silky finishes, its form factor making it suitable for use as a freestanding counter-height stool. Fold away for easy storage between uses.
Altura Wooden Step Stool: Altura is a handy accent designed by Patricia Perez, its versatile form offering multipurpose utility throughout the home. Use as a small wooden step stool, as a side table, or as a low seat. This piece is made from oak with a light natural finish.
Use this attractive wooden for its intended purpose or let it serve as a convenient seat or small table. This versatile IKEA accent is the work of Nike Karlsson, crafted from solid beech and available in three versatile finish options.
UMAGE Storage Step Stool: Designed by Soren Ravn Christensen for UMAGE, the Step It Up Step Stool merges utility and storage in a space-saving package. This design includes a removable polyester bag that can be used to hold recyclables, toys, accessories, and more. It’s an ideal kitchen companion.
Open airy construction gives this low footstool a breezy aesthetic for sunny interior environments. This piece stands on four hairpin legs, the body made from thick rattan bent into a circular shape. Use as a seat or an ottoman.
Crafted from sturdy birch wood, the IKEA KYRRE stool is a versatile fit for almost any interior theme. These convenient small stools stack for easy storage, making them a great resource to have around the home just in case you ever need an extra seat or side table while entertaining guests.
Alvar Aalto Stacking Stool: The famous Stool 60 was designed by legendary Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in 1933, and it remains a beloved favorite today. This three-legged stool is crafted from solid birch with a durable laminate surface, available in a diverse range of finish options to suit any decor theme.
Shoemaker Small Wooden Stool: Danish cabinetmaker Steen Werner acquired the design for the famous Shoemaker Chair in the 1970s, and the Werner family has continued to oversee the manufacturing at a local joinery in Denmark ever since. This piece is made from solid oak, the seat itself carefully sculpted for smooth form-fitting comfort.
Reclaimed cedar trunks are transformed into unique one-of-a-kind mushroom stools in this unique collection. A natural lacquer finish ensures longevity and protection for a lifetime of enjoyment. Use as a gorgeous organic plant stand, a seat, a side table, or a footstool.
Vitra Cork Stool: Designed by Jasper Morrison, the Cork Stool collection provides an incomparable tactile experience with 100% natural cork construction – an exciting departure from the ordinary. These stools are lightweight and easy to handle for versatile utility around the home.
Eames Walnut Wooden Stool: Legendary design duo Charles and Ray Eames created the Eames Walnut Stool series in 1960, with Ray leading the helm throughout the design process using her expertise in sculpture. This series includes three shapes lathed from solid walnut, each artful and refined. One side is concave for a comfortable seating experience while the other side is flat for use as a side table.
Vitra Butterfly Stool: Few seats have a more recognizable silhouette than the Butterfly Stool, a 1954 design by Sori Yanagi. This piece perfectly marries Eastern design influences with the mid-century trends of the West. The Butterfly Stool is made from molded plywood, finished in a honey maple or a dark palisander. Brass hardware joins each sculptural piece together.
Skagerak Cutter Square Teak Stool: Danish designer Niels Hvass created the Cutter stool with an eye for exceptional crafting, with an industrial slatted form rendered with all the warmth of natural wood. This piece is made from quality teak that will only grow more beautiful with age and wear.
Function-forward stools can be beautiful too. This shower stool is made from thick slabs of sturdy natural teak, formed into a saddle seat shape for comfortable support. This piece is made with stainless steel hardware and includes grippy rubber feet, making it perfect for use in the shower or beside an outdoor pool.
This unique stool is made to provide toddlers with a stable and secure platform so they can assist with everyday kitchen tasks – a powerful tool for learning. Simply adjust the height of the platform to help this stool grow with your child.
Umbra Entryway Stool and Coat Rack: Complete your entryway with this convenient two-in-one solution. The Pillar stool by Umbra Shift includes a spacious stool where you can sit and remove your shoes and a tall coatrack that can hold all your everyday accessories and essentials.
Recommended Reading:
Related Posts:
