Small stools are appropriate for certain tabletops, for kids, for short people and for tight spaces. They also have the advantage of versatility. You can use them as a desk, for additional storage or other functions beside seating.
When deciding on a small stool, keep in mind to ensure a comfortable leg space by measuring the distance between the stool seat and the bottom of the tabletop you’ll be pairing it with. Check out our selection of the best ones for your kitchen counter, breakfast bar or home bar.
Related: Types of Bar Glasses | Kitchen Islands with Seating | Best Tall Stools
A. Counter Stools
1. Winsome Wood 2 Saddle Seat Counter Stool
Maybe you want to feel like you’re riding a horse right at your own kitchen counter, but without the actual horse. If so, this solid beechwood counter stool makes for a great seating choice. It is a saddle-style stool, but that doesn’t mean it’s from the 1800s. It’s actually a really modern looking stool that comes in both black and walnut color finishes.
The Winsome Wood 2 Saddle Seat Counter Stool is definitely big enough to sit on comfortably, but not so large as to take up way too much space. It’s around 17.5 inches long, 14.5 inches wide, and 24 inches tall. This counter stool weighs in at 13 pounds but has an astounding 220-pound weight capacity. It’s a great way to fit a few people around the counter without cluttering the kitchen.
Pros
- Real wood
- Space-saver
- Comes in multiple colors
- High weight capacity
- Comfy saddle shape
Cons
- A bit tall for shorter people
2. Boraam Augusta 24 in. Swivel Counter Stool
Unlike other stools out there, this one actually has a padded seat, which means your backside won’t start hurting after just a couple minutes. Even better is that it manages to come with a padded backrest, another thing which most other stools seem to forget about.
This counter stool comes in at 18W x 22D x 37.5H inches, plus it weighs around 27 pounds, making it one of the chunkier bar stools out there. However, with big size also comes big comfort.
The fact that this model swivel makes it ideal for kitchen counters, small tables, and bars, plus it keeps fidgety people occupied too. Not all kitchens are the same, which is why you can choose from a variety of finishes to bring some color coordination into your home.
Pros
- Choice of finish
- Padded seat
- Good back support
- Allows for motion
Cons
- No cons at this stage
3. Winsome Wood 24-Inch RTA Single Saddle Seat Counter Stool
We might not all be able to own a horse, but we can all own a saddle, or a saddle-style stool to be exact. It makes for a good option because you can sit on it lengthwise or widthwise, whatever makes you more comfortable.
A durable beech wood construction combined with a nice walnut finish suits any old school and modern home with ease. This saddle stool comes in at 17.48W x 14.47D x 24H inches, making it ideal for all but the smallest people.
Four solid legs and a 200-pound weight capacity help keep you off the floor, which is probably what you are going for here. It’s a neat looking and fairly compact option more than suitable for counters, bars, coffee tables, and more.
Pros
- Warm walnut finish
- Four solid legs
- High weight capacity
- 2 sitting positions
- Solid beech wood construction
Cons
- A little wobbly
4. Linon Claridge 26 in. Counter Stool
While this does qualify as a small stool, it comes in at 18W x 12.75D x 26H inches, making it suitable for all of you tall people out there. That being said, it does have some good weight to it, and thus can also hold up to 275 pounds, making it one of the stronger stools out there right now.
The wood frame with various finish options makes it suitable for most styles of kitchens. The nail head accents add a little flair to the mix but don’t worry, they won’t poke you.
The fact that this stool has a padded seat is a big bonus. Most stools put your butt to sleep, but this one actually keeps it awake. This guy is small enough to fit in most spaces, big enough for larger people to sit on, and comfy enough to keep them there.
Pros
- Multiple finish options
- Real wood
- Padded seat
- Nail accents for a cool look
- Great for larger people
Cons
- Not suitable for shorter people
5. Peter Modern Small Stool
This is a really cool option to go with if you like the way Lady Gaga dresses. It’s an awesome looking gold-colored stool with a vibrant pink seat. It’s definitely not for people who don’t like bright and colorful things.
That being said, it makes for a really modern, fun, and inviting addition to any kitchen and dining area. It’s not a huge stool, coming in at 18W x 18D x 24D, making it ideal for most areas. It does weigh around 50 pounds, making it one of the heavier options.
However, we like to think this means that this heavyweight contender is also extremely durable and long lasting. Heck, a metal frame better last for a long time! Don’t forget, the pink seat is nice and soft, just like Lady Gaga’s music to your ears.
Pros
- Cool contemporary style
- Gold and pink
- Solid metal frame
- Padded seat
- Durable – high weight capacity
Cons
- Very heavy
- Not for old-school decors
6. Warren Modern Stool
Another really modern looking counter stool to go with, this one features a triangular metal frame with a grey velvet seat. It does look very modern, but a little less Lady Gaga and a little more Susan Sarandon. The gold frame is a nice accent for any kitchen, while the grey velvet cover keeps it in line with homes built before this year.
This is one of the smaller counter stools we’ve talked about, coming in at 16W x 16D x 22H inches. It’s a good option for all of us not so tall people out there. Us not so tall people can still weigh a fair amount, which is why this counter stool has a strong metal frame and weighs around 50 pounds itself.
Pros
- Good mix of old and new
- Ideal for shorter people
- High weight capacity
- Padded seat for comfort
Cons
- Probably won’t work well for taller people
- Triangle shape might not suit all backsides
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B. Bar Stools
1. NNEWVANTE Square Leg Stool
This bar stool comes in at 16 inches high with an 11.8-inch diameter seat. As you can tell, this bar stool is either built for the world’s smallest bar clientele, or it is built for kids. Kids shouldn’t be drinking, so in that case, maybe keep it as a living room stool for your kids. It is a really compact bar stool. We will give it that.
All of that being said this bar stool is definitely a space saver, but at the same time, it is also quite durable. It features a square legged, solid bamboo, and natural looking design that works wonders in any living room and home bar too. We don’t know what it is about bamboo, but we love it. You know what they say, bigger is not always better, a motto which this stool undoubtedly follows!
Pros
- Works well for both older and modern kitchens
- Nice bamboo construction
- Sleek natural looking finish
- Durable and safe
Cons
- Not ideal for tall people
2. Cambridge Bar Stool
If you are not a fan of really bright colors, this white and grey bar stool is for you. It fits nicely into modern and contemporary kitchens, but can actually manage to add some new life to an older kitchen too.
A durable wooden build with a soft upholstered stool brings you the best of both worlds. A high level of comfort and lots of durabilities is what anybody sitting at a bar needs. Thankfully this little guy has 4 legs, something which you might appreciate after a few shots and beers.
It is a saddle seat design, and while you probably won’t be riding many horses while having some drinks at your home bar, you can always imagine. It’s an average sized bar stool, coming in at 24 inches high and weighing only 12 pounds.
Pros
- Unique saddle design
- Lightweight
- Comfortable padding
- Four solid legs
- Nice wood construction
- Compact
Cons
- Not exactly colorful
3. Clifton Bar Stool
The Clifton bar stool is a really nice and modern looking option for any bar and kitchen counter. It features a beautiful wooden bottom half with 4 sturdy legs that are sure to keep you upright no matter how many drinks you pound back.
For those long nights of drinking with your friends, this stool comes complete with a faux leather padded seat and backrest. Just because your senses will be dulled from booze doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be comfortable.
This stool comes in at 39Hx 19.5W x 19D inches, making it a small and compact bar stool, but it’s still big enough to fit your backside comfortably. The stool weighs only 19 pounds, making it light enough to move around even with a few beers in your system.
Pros
- Comfortable seat and backrest
- Modern faux leather design
- Solid wood legs
- Sturdy and stable
- Great for all kinds of bar settings
Cons
- Some people would rather have real leather
4. Marni Bar Stool
The Marni bar stool is another neat saddle style stool to go with. It’s a good option if you want to have a few drinks and imagine yourself playing cowboys and Indians. To suit the style of your bar or kitchen, this bar stool comes in 2 different finishes, tobacco or black.
We do like the saddle style because you can sit in it lengthwise or width wise. You can sit whatever way you feel more comfortable. This stool comes in at 24” H x 19” W x 16” D, making it a fairly compact option, but one that is still large enough to comfortably sit on.
It’s a really modern yet old-school looking bar stool that works for pretty much any kitchen setup out there.
Pros
- Cool saddle design
- Solid wood construction
- 2 sitting positions
- The modern yet old school look
Cons
- No padding
5. Henley Swivel Bar Stool
The fact that this stool swivels back and forth is pretty cool. As soon as you finish one drink, you can turn and get right to the next one. It may not come with a backrest, but it does have a really nice cushioned seat to keep your backside comfortable.
The circular brand and square legs made of solid rubberwood make for a modern look for any kitchen. It comes in at 24” H x 15.1” W x 15.1” D, making it a fairly compact and average sized bar stool. It only weighs 14 pounds, making it easy to move around even with a couple of drinks in you.
Pros
- Solid wood construction
- Comfortable cushioning
- Lightweight
- Swivels
Cons
- No backrest
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C. Folding Stools
1. Trademark Gameroom Black Cushioned Folding Stool
If you have a smaller kitchen or bar area and want to save some space, this stool is a great way to go. Whenever you need it, simply unfold it and place it wherever you see fit. Being able to store it in a small space is always convenient. The spring action lock makes sure that it doesn’t unfold on you when sitting on it.
The12.5-inch diameter padded seat is comfortable enough to sit on for hours. This is a simple black bar stool that works well with virtually any décor that you might have in your home. The rubberized feet make sure that your floor doesn’t get all scratched and scuffed.
Pros
- Padded seat
- Foldable
- Space-saver
- Solid metal legs
- Rubberized feet
Cons
- No backrest
- A little wobbly
2. Folding Step Stool
This is a folding step stool, which is ideal for your kids who want to reach up and do some cooking. It also makes for a good stepping stool for shorter people to get up to those hard to reach cabinets. It’s only 11 inches high, so unless you are having a tea party at the kiddy table, you probably won’t be using it to sit on.
This is a simple black plastic folding stool with white dots to add some style into the mix. No, it’s not ideal for fancy dinner parties, but it works well for various purposes around the home.
Pros
- Good for kids
- Lets you get to hard to reach areas
- Looks pretty nice
- Folds away for space saving
- High weight capacity
Cons
- Not a seat for adults
3. Atlantic Folding Stool
The Atlantic Folding Stool makes for a good choice if you need a compact seat. You can unfold it whenever you see fit and then fold it back up to fit in a small space or closet. The comfortably padded seat makes it nice to sit on for a fairly long period of time.
The black color makes it a good fit for virtually any kitchen or bar area. The metal legs are more than strong enough to hold up any child or adult. For easy carrying, this stool comes with a nifty little handle. This stool is 18.5 inches high and weighs only 2.6 pounds, making it one of the lighter and more compact options around. It’s big enough for adults but small enough to store in a small space.
Pros
- Compact
- Big enough for adults
- Fits with most kitchen décor
- Handle for easy carrying
Cons
- Not exactly suitable for upper-class occasions
More Examples
D. Conclusion
Small stools are not very hard to come by, but ones that are good looking, durable, comfortable, and convenient all in one sure are. Whatever the case may be, all of the above stools make for really nice options in their own right.
