Stools are the underrated high achievers of hospitality spaces
Adaptable, durable and able to bring functionality with surprising precision.
There’s a stool for every type of interior – whether it needs to reinforce a brand identity, soften a pared-back fit-out or add a hit of colour – the right stool offers design impact with ease.
When it comes to a hospitality environment, seating can shape the aesthetic as much as the layout or lighting. Stools, in particular, offer a nimble solution for cafés, bars and restaurants looking to maximise space, encourage circulation and add layers for a social, inviting environment. Their versatility makes them an undisputed workhorse of hospitality design.
From a single silhouette, a well-chosen stool adds visual height, while working double-time to bring versatility. For instance, Billiani’s sculptural timber Frisée stool brings warmth and tactility, alongside a finish engineered for commercial performance.
In busy cafés, stools support quick transitions and casual dining, often acting as a bridge between bar seating, communal tables and window benches.
In bars and restaurants, they help create zones: options like the Loop Stool from Marmo are perfect for high-top perches for pre-dinner drinks, bar-side interaction, or tucked-away nooks. Because they take up less visual and physical space, they strengthen spatial flow while maintaining density – a balance increasingly important in contemporary hospitality design.
Durability sits at the heart of every specification decision. Materials and finishes must stand up to constant movement, changing users and long service hours. Sturdy timber stools, like the Settesusette Stool by Infiniti Design, offer a sense of friendliness, easily at home in an office or a café.
While Billiani’s Button Down Stool has both lightness and strength in equal measure through its elegant metal frame and upholstered seat. The introduction of softness doesn’t mean compromising on longevity when paired with high-performance fabrics.
Comfort is equally essential. Some things to consider are ergonomic shapes, the position of a footrest and how the contours mould to the body. All of these can influence how long a guest chooses to stay, even in fast-paced venues.
Making a thoughtful stool selection is a small but meaningful business decision. With a breadth of material styles and forms across timber, metal and upholstery, there is a stool suited to every interior. Whether the intent is to reinforce a brand aesthetic, soften a minimal fit-out, or introduce a moment of colour or craft, stools can deliver design impact at scale.
Quick questions to make specifying stools a breeze
What stool height suits bar vs counter applications?
The seat height for a counter stool is generally between 600–650 millimetres, while bar stools range from 700–800 millimetres. The rule of thumb is to allow about 250–300 millimetres between seat height and tabletop for comfortable use.
Are these stools stackable or easy to store?
Some models, including selected Bowermans designs, offer stackability or lightweight frames that streamline rearranging and storage. If having a stackable stool is important to you, check when researching.
What finishes are most durable for hospitality use?
Look out for robust materials such as powder-coated metal, commercial-grade lacquers on timber, and high-performance upholstery fabrics – these all provide the best resilience in high-traffic venues.
