Selecting the right bar stool height is essential for creating a comfortable and functional seating area at your kitchen island, breakfast bar, or home bar. At The Chair People, we want to help make this decision as easy as possible, so you can enjoy a space that looks beautiful and feels just right.
Why Stool Height Matters
Choosing a stool that is too high or too low can make seating uncomfortable, no matter how stylish the stool itself might be. If the stool is too tall, you’ll feel cramped under the counter; too short, and you’ll find yourself reaching up awkwardly to eat, drink, or socialise. The right stool height ensures you have enough legroom, an ergonomic sitting position, and a seamless fit with your worktop.
Start with the Key Step: Measure Your Worktop Height
The most important step in choosing the right stool height is measuring your worktop correctly.
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Measure from the floor to the underside of your worktop — not to the top surface.
The golden rule:
Aim for 25–30cm of space between the top of the seat and the underside of the worktop.
This provides enough legroom for a comfortable sitting experience.
Our Standard Bar Stool Height
At The Chair People, our standard bar stool seat height is 700mm.
This size suits most kitchen islands and breakfast bars, providing that perfect balance of comfort, legroom, and stylish proportions. It's a popular choice because it complements a wide range of standard kitchen worktop heights, fitting seamlessly into both traditional and modern homes.
Customised Seat Heights for a Perfect Fit
We understand that not all homes are the same — and neither are all counters. That’s why we offer additional seat height options for selected models at a small additional cost.
If you need a slightly lower seat for extra leg space, we offer 650mm seat heights.
If you're seating against a higher surface, such as a home bar or a custom tall counter, we can offer 750mm or 800mm seat heights (model dependent).
Important: Not all bar stool models can be upgraded to different heights. Seat height options are model-specific, so it’s important to check when choosing your bar stool.
A simple way to check if a model is available with a different seat height is to look under the 'Upgrade Options' tab on the product page of our website.
This section will clearly show whether additional seat heights are available for that specific model.
When you choose an upgraded seat height, the overall stool height changes accordingly. However, the seat-to-footrest proportion is carefully maintained to ensure sitting comfort remains consistent across all options.
Try Before You Decide with Our 'Bum Test' Service
Choosing the right height is easier when you can try it yourself.
During your complimentary bum test appointment, we can bring a selection of models for you to experience at your home — allowing you to test our standard heights in your actual setting.
This way, you can be confident that your chosen bar stools will feel just as good as they look.
A Few Final Tips
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Measure first – before you fall in love with a style!
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Consider your needs – will you mainly dine, socialise, or work at the counter?
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Ask your design advisor – if you’re unsure, we’re always happy to guide you to the right choice.