Prices from Amazon AU, updated daily. Swipe or use the arrows for more.
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Quick summary6 picks
- Entry PickGiantex Set of 2 Adjustable Swivel Bar… about$109.95
- Artiss Bar Stools 2X Swivel 68-81cm… about$119.95
- Oikiture 2PC Bar Stools Swivel Gas Lift PU… about$119.97
- Oikiture 2PC Sherpa Bar Stools 65cm Boucle… about$136.92
- Bar Stools Set of 2 Leather Barstools Bar… about$149.99
- Most PremiumOikiture Wooden Bar Stool Set of 2 65cm… about$219.90
Start with the counter, not the stool
The number that decides a bar stool is the gap between the seat and the underside of the counter. Too small and your knees hit the edge; too big and you're reaching up to your plate. Most people are comfortable with about 25 to 30cm between the top of the seat and the top of the counter. Measure your counter from the floor to its top surface before you look at a single listing, and measure in two or three places if the floor isn't level.
Australian kitchen islands usually sit around 90cm high, which suits a seat at about 60 to 65cm, sold as counter height. A raised bar or a tall island around 105cm suits a seat at about 75 to 80cm, sold as bar height. The two get mixed up constantly in listings, and plenty of stools called bar stools are really counter stools. Read the seat height figure, not the name, and check whether a listing's figure is the seat or the overall height including the backrest.
Overhang matters too. If the counter overhang is shallow, under about 25cm, knees bump the cabinet doors and a stool with a big seat or armrests won't tuck in. Allow about 60cm of counter width per stool so people aren't elbow to elbow, a little more for swivel stools with armrests. A 2.4m island seats four comfortably, and three is better if the stools are wide.
The five picks run from about $110 to $220 on Amazon AU for a set of two at time of writing. Three are adjustable gas lift swivel stools from Oikiture, Artiss and Giantex, and two are fixed-height counter stools from Oikiture, one upholstered and one in elm. All five sets are sold by AU storefronts. If you're furnishing the whole room, our dining table set guide covers the table side.
Gas lifts: how they work and how they fail
A gas lift stool sits on the same kind of cylinder as an office chair: a sealed tube of pressurised nitrogen with a piston and a valve. Pull the lever and the valve opens, so your weight pushes the seat down or the gas pushes it up. Let go and the valve closes, locking the height. Two of the Oikiture picks state an SGS-certified gas lift, and the Artiss and Giantex listings describe a lever-operated gas lift with a stated range.
Cylinders fail in a few predictable ways. The most common is a slow sink, where the seal wears and the stool creeps down over a meal or overnight. Another is a cylinder that won't lift, usually a worn valve or a lever that no longer presses the release pin. The third is wobble, where the cylinder has worked loose in its tapered socket in the base or the seat. Dropping onto a stool from a height, rather than sitting down, is what wears seals and loosens sockets fastest.
A sinking cylinder isn't the end of a stool. Bar stool cylinders are a standard part, and a replacement costs far less than a new set, but measure the old one before you order: the body length and the stroke both matter. The tapered fit pulls apart with a pipe wrench and a rubber mallet, and a new cylinder drops in by hand. If the lever is the fault, check that its cam is still pressing the release pin before replacing the whole cylinder.
Swivels, bases and footrests
A swivel stool turns on a bearing plate under the seat, or on the cylinder itself on most gas lift designs. The first sign of wear is a creak or a gritty feel as it turns, and it usually comes from dust working into the bearing. A light spray of silicone on the swivel plate, wiped clean, quietens most of them. A swivel that has developed play, where the seat rocks as well as turns, means the plate's bolts have loosened or the bearing has worn.
The base is what stops a tall stool tipping. Round chrome or steel bases on gas lift stools are heavy and low, which keeps the centre of gravity down, and they're the most stable design for a stool that swivels. Four-legged fixed stools rely on leg spread, so a stool with legs that splay outward resists tipping better than one with straight legs. Kids climbing onto a tall stool tip it more than adults do, so a wide base matters more in a family kitchen.
Footrests take more load than people think, because most people push off them to get up. A footrest ring on a gas lift stool is usually clamped to the cylinder, and it slips down if the clamp loosens, so check it with the seat bolts. Fixed stools have footrest rails bolted or glued between the legs, and the Oikiture elm stools list two-tier footrests. A rail that's come loose works its joints loose too, so fix it the week it starts to move.
Upholstery: PU leather, boucle and linen
PU leather is the default on gas lift stools because it wipes clean, which matters at a kitchen island. Its weak point is the top coat. PU is a polyurethane layer over a fabric backing, and over a few years in a sunny kitchen it can crack and peel, starting where people slide on and off. Keep it out of direct afternoon sun if you can, wipe spills with a damp cloth rather than a household cleaner, and avoid anything with solvent in it.
Boucle and other textured fabrics, like the Oikiture Sherpa picks, are soft and look warmer, but they hold crumbs and stain more readily than PU. Vacuum them with a brush head every week or so, and blot a spill straight away rather than rubbing it in. Linen, like the Giantex, breathes better on a hot day and feels cooler, but it marks too, so a fabric protector spray applied when the stools are new helps a lot.
Timber seats, like the Oikiture elm, skip the upholstery question entirely. They're the easiest to clean and the hardest to damage, though some people find a hard seat less pleasant through a long dinner. A curved seat helps, and both elm and plywood listings describe one. Whatever the seat, stools in a busy kitchen pick up grime on the footrests and the base first, so wipe those down along with the seat.
Frames, load ratings and floors
Four of the five picks state a load rating, which isn't true of every bar stool listing. The Oikiture gas lift stools, the Oikiture elm stools and the Giantex list 150kg per stool, and the Oikiture Sherpa lists 120kg. Artiss doesn't state a figure on this listing. A load rating is a static figure, so it says how much weight the stool holds when someone sits still, not how it copes with being dropped onto or rocked back on two legs.
Floors take a beating from bar stools, because they're pulled in and out at every meal. Two of the picks list floor protection: rubber floor protectors under the Oikiture gas lift bases and a non-slip rubber ring on the Giantex. The Artiss, Sherpa and elm listings don't mention any, so plan on adding pads. Felt pads on timber legs need replacing as they wear through, and a stuck stone in a pad scratches a timber or vinyl floor in a single slide, so check them every few months.
Tiled and polished concrete floors are hard on stools in the other direction. A stool that tips onto tile chips its frame, cracks a timber seat or dents a chrome base. Rubber protectors also grip better on tile than bare steel does, which stops a gas lift stool sliding when someone pushes off the footrest. If your floor has a slope towards a drain, as laundries and some kitchens do, set the stools where the floor is flattest.
Assembly, bolts and keeping them tight
Most gas lift stools arrive as three or four parts: the base, the cylinder, the seat and the footrest ring. They go together by pressing the tapered cylinder into the base, then dropping the seat on and sitting on it to seat the taper. The fixed elm Oikiture stools arrive fully assembled, according to the listing, which takes the job out of the box entirely and leaves fewer joints to loosen later.
Bolted stools loosen with use. Seat bolts, swivel plate bolts and the screws holding the backrest to the seat all work loose as people rock on them, and a loose backrest is how upholstery tears at its fixing points. Check every bolt a month after assembly and then twice a year, and use the allen key from the box rather than an over-sized drill driver, which strips the threads in a soft seat frame.
Keep the packing card from each set until every stool has been sat on and swivelled. Furniture boxes get dropped in transit, and a bent footrest or a cracked base is easier to return in the first week than after you've thrown the packaging out. Every Oikiture listing states a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects and Artiss states a 1-year warranty, so keep the order email with the model code from the label under the seat.
Kids, guests and the island as a workspace
A kitchen island with stools is often the household's second desk. Homework, laptops and phones end up there, and the stools decide how long anyone sits comfortably. Adjustable gas lift stools suit a shared island best, because a child and an adult can both set the seat to the counter. A fixed-height stool suits a kitchen where one or two adults sit at the same height every day.
Families with young children should think about climbing. A gas lift stool lowered to its bottom setting is easier for a child to get onto, and one with a backrest is harder to fall off backwards. Teach kids not to spin on swivel stools, because a stool spun hard enough walks across the floor and tips, and the cylinder takes a side load it wasn't made for. Fixed stools with splayed legs and two footrest rails give smaller feet somewhere to stand.
Guests are the other test. Stools that stack or tuck fully under the overhang leave the kitchen walkway clear when nobody's sitting, and that matters in a galley or a small open-plan room. If the island has a power point on its end panel, set the stools so their legs and footrests don't catch a charging cable as they're pulled out, which is the electronics problem I see most from a kitchen island.
Phones, laptops and spills at the island
This is the part an electronics workshop actually sees. A kitchen island is where phones charge, laptops sit beside a cup of tea, and a tablet runs a recipe next to the sink. Phones that slide off a stool or the counter onto tile land from about a metre, the classic height for a cracked screen, and a phone left on a stool seat gets sat on more often than anyone admits.
Spills are the bigger risk. A glass knocked over at the island runs straight across the counter into a laptop's keyboard, and liquid damage keeps working after the machine seems fine. Switch the laptop off, unplug it, tip it to drain and bring it in rather than drying it with a hair dryer. Our MacBook liquid damage guide covers what happens next. A phone with a cracked screen goes to our Erina phone repair workshop.
Charging cables strung from a wall point to the island are a trip hazard and a stool snag. A surge-protected powerboard tucked under the overhang keeps cables short and off the floor, and our surge powerboard picks include ones with USB-C. Keep the board well back from the sink side of the island, and never run a cable across the gap a stool slides through, because a footrest that catches it pulls the phone off the counter with it.
The 5 picks, $110 to $220
Prices are Amazon AU at time of writing (2026-11-15) for a set of two and move week to week. Ranks are Amazon AU category sales ranks in Barstools, checked the same day, with the overall Amazon AU rank alongside. Oikiture groups several of its stools under shared listings, so their ranks are shared across those models.
Oikiture Gas Lift Swivel Bar Stools, PU Leather with Armrests, Black, Set of 2
ASIN B0H2VNL149 • $119.97 • Sold by Oikos 1943 on Amazon AU
The Oikiture gas lift swivel stools are the pick of the five for most kitchen islands, and the ones I'd buy for a household where people of different heights share the counter. Amazon AU lists the set of two at $119.97 from Oikos 1943, Oikiture's AU seller, and the listing ranks #2 in Amazon AU's Barstools category and #5,358 overall, a rank it shares with other Oikiture gas lift models. Its size code is AIC-JOE-BK-2PC, and its part number starts 93, a GS1 Australia barcode prefix. Oikos 1943 sells Oikiture furniture through its own AU storefront, so returns go to a local seller. A gas lift swivel stool like this one suits an island where a child and an adult take turns at the same seat.
Each stool has a PU leather seat with armrests, a contoured hollow-out backrest with a PU panel, and a bentwood and steel frame, according to the listing. The seat rises and falls on an SGS-certified gas lift, it swivels a full 360 degrees, and there's a steel footrest above a wide metal base with a floor protector underneath. The stated load is 150kg per stool, the joint highest figure of the five picks. Armrests make it easier to get on and off, but they need a deeper overhang to tuck under. The bentwood back and steel frame mix gives it more presence than an all-chrome stool, and the hollow-out backrest keeps it from looking heavy at a small island. The floor protector under the base matters on timber and vinyl floors, which scratch quickly under a stool that's pulled in and out.
The listing doesn't state the seat height range, which is the one number you need, so ask Oikos 1943 before ordering and measure your counter against it. Amazon's product data gives a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Check the seat bolts and the footrest clamp a month after assembly, wipe the PU with a damp cloth rather than a cleaner, and keep it out of hard afternoon sun. If the seat starts sinking after a year or two, the cylinder is a standard part and can be replaced without buying a new set. Keep the order email and the size code from the listing, because that's the number you'll quote for a warranty claim or a replacement cylinder.
Honest caveats: The listing doesn't state the seat height range. Armrests need a deep overhang to tuck under the counter. Its rank is shared across several Oikiture gas lift listings. Oikiture sells several similar gas lift models, so match the size code on the label to the listing if you add more stools later.
Best for: Shared kitchen islands that want adjustable swivel stools with armrests and a 150kg rating from an AU seller.
Price: $119.97 for 2 (Oikos 1943) • Type: Gas lift swivel, armrests • Seat: PU leather, contoured backrest • Frame: Bentwood and steel, steel base • Seat height: Not stated on the listing • Load: 150kg per stool • Warranty: 1 year, manufacturer defects • Code: AIC-JOE-BK-2PC • Rank: #2 in Barstools, #5,358 overall on Amazon AU, listing shared
View on Amazon AU
Artiss Swivel Gas Lift Counter Stools, 68 to 81cm, PU Leather, Beige, Set of 2
ASIN B076P34YD8 • $119.95 • Sold by Artiss Furnishings on Amazon AU
The Artiss swivel stools are the simplest design of the five and the ones I'd pick for a tight island or a kitchen where stools need to tuck fully away. Amazon AU lists the set of two at $119.95 from Artiss Furnishings, an AU furniture storefront, and it ranks #8 in Amazon AU's Barstools category and #19,396 overall. Its model code is BA-TW-NEW1055-BGX2. Each stool has a foam-padded PU leather seat with no backrest and no armrests on a round metal base, according to the listing. Artiss Furnishings is an AU furniture storefront on Amazon AU, so returns are handled locally. A backless swivel stool like this one is the most compact design here, which helps in a galley kitchen.
The seat adjusts on a gas lift lever from 68cm to 81cm, which reaches nearly as high as the Giantex's 82cm. That spread suits a tall island or a raised bar, though at its bottom setting it may sit a little high for a standard 90cm counter, so measure first. It swivels 360 degrees. The listing states a 1-year warranty. The foam-padded PU seat wipes clean, which suits a family kitchen where breakfast and homework share the same counter, and the round metal base keeps the centre of gravity low. Its short listing also states the box contents plainly: two stools and a 1-year warranty, nothing else to find in the box.
The listing is short. It states no load rating and no seat width, so ask Artiss before ordering for a heavier user. A backless stool is the easiest to tuck under a shallow overhang, but it gives no support for a long sit. Check the seat bolts after the first month and keep the cylinder's tapered socket clean. A backless stool also suits a counter that people sit at only briefly, like a coffee spot or a breakfast nook, rather than one used for full dinners. If the lever stops releasing the seat, check its cam against the cylinder's release pin before ordering a new cylinder, because a bent lever costs less to fix.
Honest caveats: The listing states no load rating or seat width. There's no backrest. Its lowest setting, 68cm, may sit high for a standard 90cm counter. Backless stools also give nothing to lean on, which matters for older guests at a long meal.
Best for: Tall islands and raised bars, or tight kitchens that want backless stools that tuck fully under the counter.
Price: $119.95 for 2 (Artiss Furnishings) • Type: Gas lift swivel, backless • Seat: Foam-padded PU leather • Base: Round metal • Seat height: 68 to 81cm • Load: Not stated on the listing • Warranty: 1 year • Model: BA-TW-NEW1055-BGX2 • Rank: #8 in Barstools, #19,396 overall on Amazon AU
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Giantex Adjustable Swivel Bar Stools with Back and Footrest, Linen, Cream, Set of 2
ASIN B0HD7PJWZQ • $109.95 • Sold by Giantex AU on Amazon AU
The Giantex adjustable swivel stools are the lowest-priced pick of the five and the one with the widest stated height range. Amazon AU lists the set of two at $109.95 from Giantex AU, the brand's AU storefront, and it ranks #106 in Amazon AU's Barstools category and #104,618 overall, the weakest rank of the five picks. Its model code is KW25769-Multiple. Each stool has a curved linen-upholstered seat with a wrap-around back, a built-in footrest, and a 360 degree swivel on a reinforced base. Giantex AU is the brand's AU storefront, which keeps returns local rather than overseas. A stool with this much adjustment suits a kitchen where the counter height is unusual or the stools may move to a raised bar later.
The seat adjusts from 60.5cm to 82cm, and Giantex says that pairs with counters and bars from 89cm to 109cm, the only listing of the five that states which counter heights it suits. That covers a standard 90cm island at the bottom and a raised bar at the top. The frame is PP plastic and metal, rated to 150kg per stool, and the wide base has a non-slip rubber ring to protect the floor. The seat is padded with high-density sponge. The wrap-around back gives more support than a hollow-out design for a long meal or a homework session, and the footrest is built in rather than clamped on. Cream linen shows marks more than black PU, so it suits a household that doesn't mind a weekly vacuum.
Linen breathes on a hot day but marks more easily than PU, so a fabric protector spray when the stools are new is worth the few minutes. The listing doesn't state a warranty, so check with Giantex AU before ordering. Its sales rank is the weakest of the five. Vacuum the linen with a brush head, blot spills straight away, and check the swivel plate bolts every few months. The non-slip rubber ring under the base grips well on tile and polished concrete, which stops the stool sliding as someone pushes off the footrest. A PP plastic and metal frame is likely lighter than an all-steel or timber one, though none of the five listings states a stool weight, so they should be easy to lift out of the way when you clean.
Honest caveats: Its sales rank is the weakest of the five picks, and the listing doesn't state a warranty. Linen marks more easily than PU. The frame is PP plastic and metal rather than steel or timber. PP plastic seat shells can creak at their fixing points over time, so tighten those screws when you check the bolts.
Best for: Kitchens with an unusual counter height, or families that want a cooler linen seat and the widest stated adjustment.
Price: $109.95 for 2 (Giantex AU) • Type: Gas lift swivel, backrest • Seat: Linen, high-density sponge • Frame: PP plastic and metal • Seat height: 60.5 to 82cm • Suits counters: 89 to 109cm • Load: 150kg per stool • Model: KW25769-Multiple • Rank: #106 in Barstools, #104,618 overall on Amazon AU
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Oikiture Sherpa Boucle Counter Stools, 65cm Seat, Backrest, White, Set of 2
ASIN B0DP2GKWHH • $136.92 • Sold by Oikos 1943 on Amazon AU
The Oikiture Sherpa stools are the best-ranked pick of the five and the one I'd choose for a standard 90cm island where the stools stay at one height. Amazon AU lists the set of two at $136.92 from Oikos 1943, and the listing ranks #1 in Amazon AU's Barstools category and #2,887 overall, a rank it shares with other Oikiture fixed stools including the elm pick below. Its colour code is HD-RO-SP-White, and its part number starts 93, a GS1 Australia prefix. Oikos 1943 sells it through Oikiture's AU storefront, so returns stay local. A fixed counter stool like this one suits a household where everyone sits at the island at the same height every day.
Each stool has a thick cushioned boucle seat and a contoured, padded backrest on a black powder-coated steel frame with a footrest, according to the listing. The 65cm seat height in the title suits a counter around 90 to 95cm, which is most Australian kitchen islands. There's no swivel and no gas lift, which means no cylinder to sink and fewer moving parts to work loose. The stated load is 120kg per stool, the lowest stated figure of the five picks. The boucle upholstery gives a softer, warmer look than PU or timber, and white boucle suits a light kitchen, though it shows marks faster than the darker colours. Without a cylinder or a swivel plate, there's nothing on these stools that wears out mechanically, which is the main reason to choose a fixed design.
Boucle holds crumbs and stains more readily than PU, so it suits a household that's happy to vacuum the seats every week. Amazon's product data gives a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects. The fixed height won't suit a raised bar, so measure before ordering. Check the backrest screws a month after assembly, and blot spills straight away rather than rubbing them. A fabric protector spray applied when they're new makes boucle much easier to keep clean, and a lint roller lifts crumbs that a vacuum misses. Lift the stools rather than dragging them on timber or vinyl floors, because a fixed four-leg stool pulled across the floor wears its protectors faster than a round base.
Honest caveats: Its 120kg rating is the lowest stated of the five. Boucle stains more easily than PU or timber. The height is fixed at 65cm, so it won't suit a raised bar. Four fixed legs also need a flat floor, because a fixed stool rocks on an uneven tile where a round base won't.
Best for: Standard 90cm kitchen islands that want fixed-height upholstered stools with a backrest and the best rank of the five.
Price: $136.92 for 2 (Oikos 1943) • Type: Fixed height, backrest • Seat: Boucle, thick cushion • Frame: Powder-coated black steel • Seat height: 65cm • Load: 120kg per stool • Warranty: 1 year, manufacturer defects • Code: HD-RO-SP-White • Rank: #1 in Barstools, #2,887 overall on Amazon AU, listing shared
View on Amazon AU
Oikiture Elm Wood Counter Stools, 65cm, Two-Tier Footrests, Fully Assembled, Set of 2
ASIN B0CV7NFGS1 • $219.90 • Sold by Oikos 1943 on Amazon AU
The Oikiture elm stools are the highest-priced pick of the five and the one I'd choose for a kitchen that wants timber and no moving parts at all. Amazon AU lists the set of two at $219.90 from Oikos 1943, and the listing ranks #1 in Amazon AU's Barstools category and #2,887 overall, the same shared rank as the Sherpa pick. Its part number starts 93, a GS1 Australia prefix. Each stool is solid elm with a slightly curved seat and two-tier footrests, according to the listing. Oikos 1943 sells it through Oikiture's AU storefront, so a return or warranty claim stays with a local seller. Elm is a dense hardwood with a strong grain, which shows wear as character rather than damage.
They arrive fully assembled, the only pick of the five that does, so there's nothing to bolt together and no factory joints you've tightened yourself to check later. The listing describes the finish as scratch and water-resistant, which matters at a kitchen island where glasses sweat on every surface. The stated load is 150kg per stool. The two footrest heights give shorter and taller people somewhere to rest their feet, and Amazon's item data puts each stool at about 65cm tall, matching the title. Fully assembled stools also arrive bulkier, so check the delivery is to a door that's wide enough for the boxes. With no upholstery and no metal mechanism, these are the easiest of the five to wipe down after a messy breakfast.
A hard timber seat is the easiest to clean and the hardest to damage, but some people find it less pleasant through a long dinner, so a thin seat pad is an easy fix. Amazon's product data gives a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Wipe the seats with a damp cloth, keep them away from a heater vent, and check the legs for movement each season. Timber moves a little with humidity, so a leg that starts to rock after a humid summer usually needs its joint checked rather than a new stool. A paste wax or furniture oil once or twice a year keeps the finish resisting water rings. Felt pads under the legs need replacing as they wear thin.
Honest caveats: It's the highest-priced set of the five. A solid timber seat is hard for a long sit. The height is fixed at 65cm, so it won't suit a raised bar, and its rank is shared with other Oikiture listings. It also has no backrest, which matters for a long dinner or for older guests.
Best for: Kitchens that want solid timber stools with two footrests, no assembly and no gas lift to wear out.
Price: $219.90 for 2 (Oikos 1943) • Type: Fixed height, backless • Material: Solid elm, curved seat • Footrests: Two-tier • Seat height: 65cm • Load: 150kg per stool • Assembly: Fully assembled • Warranty: 1 year, manufacturer defects • Rank: #1 in Barstools, #2,887 overall on Amazon AU, listing shared
View on Amazon AUSide-by-side comparison
| Product | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Giantex Set of 2 Adjustable Swivel Bar… | ~$109.95 | |
| Artiss Bar Stools 2X Swivel 68-81cm… | ~$119.95 | |
| Oikiture 2PC Bar Stools Swivel Gas Lift PU… | ~$119.97 | |
| Oikiture 2PC Sherpa Bar Stools 65cm Boucle… | ~$136.92 | |
| Bar Stools Set of 2 Leather Barstools Bar… | ~$149.99 | |
| Oikiture Wooden Bar Stool Set of 2 65cm… | ~$219.90 |
What we see fail in the workshop: electronics at the kitchen island
Bar stools don't come into an electronics workshop, but the phones, laptops and tablets used at a kitchen island do. An island is a hard surface at a metre high, next to a sink and a kettle, with stools sliding in and out beside it, and devices fail there in a few predictable ways. These are the three I'd plan around.
Phones off the counter or the stool onto tile
A phone left on the edge of the counter or on a stool seat gets knocked off by a stool being pulled out, and a metre onto tile is the classic height for a cracked screen. Corner landings also bend phone frames, which can crack the back glass later. Keep phones back from the counter edge, never on a seat. If one cracks, tape over the crack and bring it in before moisture gets in through it.
Drinks across the counter into a laptop
A knocked glass runs across a smooth counter faster than anyone can grab the laptop, and liquid under the keyboard keeps corroding the board after the machine seems fine. Switch it off, unplug it, tip it upside down to drain and bring it in the same day. Don't use a hair dryer or a bag of rice, and don't switch it back on to check it, because power through a wet board is what turns a clean-up into a repair.
Charging cables caught by stools
A cable run from a wall point to the island gets caught by stool legs and footrests, which pulls the phone off the counter and bends the cable at its plug until the wires break inside. A frayed or bent cable that charges intermittently is a fire risk as well as a nuisance. Use a short cable from a powerboard under the overhang, and replace any cable that's kinked hard at the plug.
Decision tree: which one should you actually buy?
- Shared island, people of different heights? → The Oikiture gas lift swivel stools at $119.97 for two adjust on an SGS-certified gas lift, swivel and carry a 150kg rating, with armrests.
- Tall island or a raised bar? → The Artiss swivel stools at $119.95 for two adjust from 68 to 81cm and tuck fully under the counter with no back.
- Unusual counter height, or want linen? → The Giantex stools at $109.95 for two adjust from 60.5 to 82cm and state they suit 89 to 109cm counters.
- Standard 90cm island, one height for everyone? → The Oikiture Sherpa boucle stools at $136.92 for two have a 65cm seat and a backrest, and the best rank of the five.
- Want timber and no assembly? → The Oikiture elm stools at $219.90 for two arrive fully assembled with two-tier footrests and a 150kg rating.
- Drink went into the laptop at the island? → Switch it off, unplug it, tip it to drain and bring it into our Erina workshop the same day. Don't switch it back on to check.
Frequently asked questions
What height bar stool do I need for a 90cm kitchen island?
A seat around 60 to 65cm, usually sold as counter height. Aim for about 25 to 30cm between the top of the seat and the top of the counter, and measure your counter in a couple of places first. The Oikiture Sherpa and elm picks have a 65cm seat, the Giantex adjusts from 60.5 to 82cm, and the Artiss starts at 68cm, which may sit a little high for a standard island.
What's the difference between counter height and bar height stools?
Seat height. Counter stools sit around 60 to 65cm and suit islands around 90cm high, which is most Australian kitchens. Bar stools sit around 75 to 80cm and suit raised bars around 105cm. Listings mix the two names up constantly, so read the seat height figure rather than the product name, and check that the figure is the seat and not the overall height with the backrest included. Overall height matters only for clearance under pendant lights.
Why does my gas lift bar stool keep sinking?
The seal in the gas cylinder has worn, so the nitrogen leaks past the piston and the seat creeps down under load. It's the most common gas lift fault, and dropping onto the stool rather than sitting down speeds it up. The cylinder is a standard part and can be replaced: measure the old one's body length and stroke, pull it out of its tapered socket with a pipe wrench and a mallet, and press the new one in.
How much room should I allow per bar stool?
About 60cm of counter width per stool, a little more for swivel stools with armrests, so people aren't elbow to elbow. A 2.4m island seats four comfortably. Check the overhang too: under about 25cm, knees bump the cabinet doors and stools with armrests or big seats won't tuck under. Leave a clear walkway behind the stools when they're pulled out for someone to sit down, about 90cm in a kitchen people walk through.
Are PU leather bar stools hard wearing?
They're easy to clean, which is why most gas lift stools use PU, but the top coat can crack and peel after a few years, especially in direct sun and where people slide on and off. Wipe spills with a damp cloth rather than a household cleaner, avoid solvents, and keep the stools out of hard afternoon sun. Boucle and linen look warmer but stain more, and solid timber is the hardest wearing of all.
How do I stop bar stools scratching the floor?
Keep the floor protectors in good condition. Gas lift stools have rubber rings or pads under the base, and timber stools need felt pads that wear through and need replacing every few months in a busy kitchen. A small stone caught in a pad scratches timber or vinyl in a single slide, so check the pads when you mop. Lifting a stool rather than dragging it saves the floor and the pads.
Related buying guides
Phone or laptop took a hit at the kitchen island?
Phones that slide off a counter onto tile and laptops that take a drink often keep working for a while, then crack further, stop charging or fail days later. Switch a wet laptop off and bring it in the same day, and tape over a cracked screen. We'll check it in our Erina workshop and tell you what it needs before you spend anything.
Visit our Erina workshop Book Online