9 Outdoor Bar Stools to Deck Out Your Space posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Putting in an outdoor bar is perhaps the best way to turn your backyard into a hot venue for parties, especially considering the fact that it’s usually not too expensive. And the element that really ties an outdoor bar together, both in terms of visual appeal and comfort, are the outdoor bar stools. Even if the bar counter and drink selection are on point, the bar stools can make the difference between a comfy hotspot people want to lounge at for hours and a lonely-looking fixture that gets ignored by most. In this post, I’m going to explain what makes for a great bar stool setup and recommend a few of my favorite models of outdoor bar stool. What to Look for in an Outdoor Bar Stool You may be thinking “a bar stool is a bar stool. There can’t be too much of a difference in models as long as my selection looks nice, right?” WRONG! The comfort level and functionality of bar stools varies significantly, and choosing one based purely on looks will more than likely give you a serious case of buyer’s remorse. That’s why, if you plan on looking through bar stool options yourself, you should always keep the following aspects in mind: Weatherproofing Outdoor bar stools need to be able to stand up to heavy rain, high winds, strong sun, and, depending on where you live, falling snow. You can’t go with cotton or leather like you might with indoor bar stools. Instead, durable materials like wicker, steel, polyester, or nylon are best. Water-proofing Being able to hose down your bar in order to clean it of any dust or spills is a huge benefit, so make sure your stools are completely waterproof. Comfort When a durable build is such a large concern, it’s easy to forget that comfort is important too. If you can, sit in the stool before you buy and ask yourself whether it’s somewhere you’d like to rest for up to an hour. If you can’t do it yourself, read reviews from people who have. Height below bar When you place your stool in front of your bar and a guest sits down on it, they had better be able to fit their legs underneath the bar comfortably. That generally means choosing stools that have seats 9 or 10 inches lower than the bottom of the bar counter. More than that, and the counter will start to feel too high up to people sitting down. Spin If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my years on this Earth, it’s that everyone loves spinny chairs. Not only are they just plain fun, but they allow for added range of motion. They’re especially great at bars, because they lessen the likelihood of spills and they eliminate the need to pull out and push in the stool when you want to sit down, which can prevent noise. It’s not an essential feature for outdoor bar stools, but it’s certainly a plus. Decorating Your Space The reason I’m putting this section before my recommendations is because the vibe you are going for with your bar should have a big impact on what style of bar stool you pick. For that reason, you should settle on a “look” for your outdoor bar before furnishing it. Things to Keep In Mind Space – Even when your bar stools are pulled out, there should be ample space behind the backs of the stools for a walkway. Color scheme – Your bar will look much better if the equipment behind it, the counter, and the stools match in color at least vaguely. Shelving – Make sure to leave space for plenty of shelving. A good rule of thumb is to determine the amount of shelving you think you’ll need and make sure to leave enough space for 1.5x that amount. Sunlight – If the sunlight is shining in your guests’ faces while they’re sitting at the bar, it can ruin their experience. If you intend to have people using the bar in the evenings, make sure it is not facing west, where the sun sets, unless the sun is blocked out anyway. Electricity – An outdoor bar requires electricity for lighting, mechanical appliances, a sound system, and for decorations. You could always pay extra for a generator, but they’re expensive and noisy. So it’s ideal to position the bar somewhere you can reach an existing electrical outlet with an extension cord. How Many Barstools Do You Need? There is a pretty large variability in how wide bar stools are, so you should decide on the model you want first. I’d recommend adding 8” to the width of the bar stool (to allow 4” on either side) to determine how much space at the bar each stool will take up. So, for instance, if you have space for a 108” long bar and you want to get stools that are each 21” wide, you can comfortably fit five stools. Note that you can subtract a few inches for the stools on either end of the bar since they don’t require as much space on the outside to separate them from the next chair. If you plan to use your bar as a centerpiece for parties, you need at least four bar stools, with six or seven being the ideal number. All this being said, you may want to read over the recommendations section below before deciding on your bar’s theme, as it may help inspire you to design the bar around the bar stools. 9 Best Outdoor Bar Stools to Deck Out Your Space There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when shopping for outdoor bar stools. If you want to skip the step of wading through options to find only the best models, though, check out the table below with nine of the best outdoor bar stools. Below the table, you can find a bit more on each pick about why it belongs on the list. Note that the table also lists the width of each model, information that will help you determine how many of the stools can fit at your bar. ModelWidthPrice Range (# of stools)[amazon link=”B082B5FV7B” link_icon=”none” title=”Swivel Bar Stools Outdoor Kitchen Bar Height Patio Chairs” /]23.6”$$ (2)[amazon link=”B018J3WEZS” link_icon=”none” title=”Stewart Outdoor Bar Stool” /]24.8”$$ (2)[amazon link=”B00A15DBMI” link_icon=”none” title=”RST Espresso Bar Stools”]15”$ (2)Farrah Patio Bar Stool17.3”$$$ (2)Elisabeth 4 Piece Cast Aluminum Patio Swivel Bar Stool25”$$$$$ (4)Zina Counter Stool20”$ (1)Kasiko Counter Stool23”$$ (1)Slope Outdoor Bar Stool19.5”$$$ (1)Gable Metal Bar Stool18.5”$$ (1) 1. Swivel Bar Stools Outdoor Kitchen Bar Height Patio Chairs by [amazon link=”B082B5FV7B” link_icon=”none” title=”PHI VILLA” /] [amazon fields=”B082B5FV7B” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Swivel Bar Stools Outdoor Kitchen Bar”] These may be my favorite chairs among my picks because they’re very durable but also really comfortable. The frame is built from heavy-duty weatherproof black steel that can hold up to 300 lbs. The seat and back of the chair are upholstered with a slung fabric coated with a quick-drying foam. It has a little bit of cushioning and give so it’s comfortable to sit on for hours, but it also has a nice sturdy feel. The bar stools also swivel and have steel armrests, so you feel like royalty when you’re sitting in them. Considering the set contains two pieces and they both have a nice build, the price is really pretty amazing. 2. Stewart Outdoor Bar Stool by [amazon link=”B018J3WEZS” link_icon=”none” title=”Christopher Knight Home” /] [amazon fields=”B018J3WEZS” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Stewart Outdoor Bar Stool”] The steel frame of this stool supports a layer of polyethylene rattan that is excellent at handling anything thrown at it, from any type of weather to spilled drinks to the water from the hose when you’re cleaning up after the party. The material also has a cushy pliability that woven rope can’t quite replicate. This model is also a bit roomier than most outdoor bar stools, which is nice as long as you’ve got enough space for it. I appreciate the thin armrests, too. 3. RST Expresso Bar Stools by [amazon link=”B00A15DBMI” link_icon=”none” title=”RST Outdoor” /] [amazon fields=”B00A15DBMI” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”RST Outdoor Barstool”] These are the least expensive outdoor bar stools on this list, and they’re also the narrowest. Because of that, they make a great choice for those who are putting in small outdoor bars… especially if they’re building a bar on a budget. Despite all that, they’re still quality bar stools. They swivel, they have an adjustable height, the steel support has a footrest on it, and the wicker seat has a durable, weatherproof build. 4. Farrah Patio Bar Stool by All Modern This is the only outdoor bar stool on this list made entirely from polypropylene resin, a super-durable, weather-resistant type of hard plastic, and it makes a real difference. Compared to other models, which have seats made from wicker, fabric, or metal, the plastic stays nice and cool even when the sun is beating down on it. The mesh pattern of the seat and back helps add to that cooling effect. The plastic material also keeps the chairs light compared to other bar stools, so you can move them around easily. Some people may hear “plastic” and think the stools will look cheap or feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, though; the black plastic is nice and sleek, and the bucket style seats make them one of the more comfortable outdoor bar stools I’ve sat in. 5. Elisabeth 4 Piece Cast Aluminum Patio Swivel Bar Stool by BBQ Guys The four swiveling solid steel bar stools in this set each come with their own cushion. The cushions are filled with a comfortable material and lined with a durable polyester that makes them weatherproof. The backs of the stools are decorated with an intricate and visually pleasing design that doubles as a comfortable backrest. The price tag on this set may seem very steep, but it’s not actually that bad if you consider that it includes four stools. 6. Zina Counter Stool by Article These bad boys certainly have the look of classic patio furniture: a solid steel frame that supports a tight webbing of durably woven polypropylene rope. The build is a perfect balance of minimalist design and quality craftsmanship, and the stool itself is still extremely comfortable. Plus, it’s available in four distinct colors. 7. Kasiko Counter Stool by Article This is another solid steel frame wrapped in polypropylene rope. Whereas the previous entry on this list looks minimalist and industrial, though, this one has a more intricate and summery design. It’s perfect for bars with a light, breezy tone. It even comes in three vibrant summer colors: storm blue, celadon green, and turmeric. 8. Slope Outdoor Bar Stool by West Elm This is the most expensive bar stool on my list of picks when you calculate the per-piece price, but you can see why when you take a look at it; just the design emanates a feeling of high quality. The brushed steel frame, which is coated with a durable antique copper finish, has a thin, almost spindly build that looks terrific. And the wand-woven wicker on the frame has a warm, homey look, even though it’s actually weatherproof and will likely last a lifetime. Once you sit on the stool, you’ll like it even better. The material is comfortable and provides nice ventilation, although the material doesn’t have the saggy feel of some wicker bar stools. 9. Gable Metal Bar Stool by West Elm Some people don’t like the look of solid aluminum chairs like this one, but I actually prefer it to wicker, woven rope, or polypropylene. It has a sleek, modern vibe, and it obviously feels sturdier than other materials. It’s the most durable, too. This specific model is also light and compact, which makes it really easy to store. Bar Stool FAQ Finally, let’s address some frequently asked questions about outdoor bar stools. What’s the difference between counter stools and bar stools? The only difference is the height. Bar counters usually measure 40-42 inches. To provide ample room for someone’s legs, a bar stool is generally between 28 and 32 inches tall, leaving 8-12 inches of legroom. Tables are shorter than bar counters – 36 inches on average – so the seats of counter stools are 24-28 inches high to provide the same amount of legroom. Can you use outdoor bar stools inside? Yes, of course. As long as you like the look of your outdoor furniture, moving it inside is a great idea. In fact, since outdoor furniture is generally a lot more durable than indoor furniture, doing so will likely prolong the lifespan of the furniture and will make it easier to clean up spills on the furniture. Are bar stools with backs better? Bar stools with backs are nearly always more comfortable if you’re sitting for more than a minute or two, so they are better for party purposes. Backless bar stools and chairs, however, promote better posture and are good for your back, so I’d recommend them for personal use. Pull Up a Chair When I go to a yard party and see the host has an outdoor bar there, my eyes light up. And I see the same thing happen with nearly every other guest as they arrive and get a look at the setup. An outdoor bar is just such a nice surprise, and a suave way to add a whole new layer of festive fun to a party; serving up mocktails and other drinks all night is a virtually guaranteed crowd pleaser. It’s very important to provide good seating, too, though, and I hope this post will help you find the perfect outdoor bar stools for your backyard watering hole.
