When you’re planning a kitchen, choosing the right kitchen stools is one of those details that seem simple until you realise there’s height, spacing, finishes, comfort and practicality to think about. Whether you’re building, renovating or finally upgrading mismatched seating, this guide will help you pick the right counter height stools for Australian kitchens in just a few minutes.

What Height Should Your Kitchen Stools Be?

The most important decision is matching stool height to your kitchen bench height.
Most Australian kitchen benches are 950mm high — which means:

👉 Rule of Thumb:
Aim for 250mm legroom between the top of the stool seat and the underside of the benchtop.
Example: A 900mm kitchen bench – 300mm = 650mm ideal stool height → choose a 650mm kitchen stool.

Hunt Furniture 650mm stools:

• TRI Stool – 650mm Counter Height

• Fine Stool – Upholstered 670mm

• HS Stool – 650mm 

How Many Stools Should You Have at Your Kitchen Bench?

Buying bar stools for a kitchen island is usually done backwards most people guess.
Instead, use this spacing guide to make the room feel relaxed and functional:

👉 Spacing rule:
Allow 600–650mm per person so seating is comfortable and you avoid overcrowding.
If you’re between sizes → round down, not up.

Example: A 2.2m kitchen island → fits 3 stools, not 4.

Backless, Upholstered, or With a Back?

Design choice affects how your kitchen feels just as much as size or height.

Backless stools (minimalist design):

• Tuck fully under the bench

• Clean, modern look

• Great for small kitchens and open spaces
  (TRI & HS stools fall here)

Upholstered kitchen stools:

• More comfort for long sitting

• Ideal for social kitchens where people gather
  (Fine Stool is the upholstered option)

Stools with backs:

• More visual weight
  

• Feel more like chairs

How to Visualise Space Before You Buy

Here’s a fast way to know if stools will look right in your space:

1. Tape a rectangle on the floor matching the footprint of the stool

2. Space them at 600mm centres

3. Stand back and take a photo of your kitchen

4. Your brain instantly knows if it “feels right”

This trick works even when buying kitchen stools online without seeing them in person.

Timber and Material Choices for Australian Homes

Material choice changes the warmth and tone of a home:

• Oak stools → light, warm, works with most cabinetry

• Blackwood stools → rich, dark grain, dramatic kitchens

• Upholstery → choose earthy or darker tones for longevity

For coastal or modern interiors → oak stools
For moody kitchens → blackwood stools

Quick Buyer Checklist (Save This)

Before checking out, write down:

• Bench height (mm): ______

• Bench length (mm): ______

• Ideal stool height: bench – 250mm = ______

• No. of stools: bench ÷ 600mm = ______

• Style: minimal / upholstered / back / timber

Still unsure?
Upload a photo of your kitchen and we’ll recommend the perfect stool

Final Thoughts

Kitchen stools shape the way your home is used — where you snack, chat, read emails, and unwind late at night. The right height and spacing make the experience feel effortless.

👉 Explore Hunt Furniture’s 650mm counter-height stools

If you’re choosing for the first time — send a photo and we’ll help you pick.
Simple, human, and design-led — the way furniture should be.