High Barstools In Kitchens Are Officially Out: The Ideal Height That's Taking Over

If your kitchen features a high island or countertops, then you probably have barstools that match the height. That's all well and good — but if a kitchen remodel is in the cards for you in 2026, then you may want to steer clear of counters and seating in this sky-high style. Though they were popular from the '80s and right through the 2010s, high barstools aren't the best option for modern, stylish kitchens, according to design pros.

"Kitchens with high barstools and high countertops (42 inches) are outdated," designer Elana T. Cline of Carta Creatives noted in a recent interview with House Beautiful. "While nice to feel perched at the counter, having different levels with no visibility and view obstructions feels cluttered and not streamlined." As a trendier alternative, Cline suggests countertops that hover around 36 inches in height and barstools to match. From a visual standpoint, these counter-height stools look cleaner and feel much more contemporary. Less height and visual clutter will also free you up to explore a wider variety of countertop and seating options, which is great news because boring all-white kitchens are also out for 2026. 

Sourcing counter-height stools for your kitchen is fairly simple. First, get clear on your target seat dimensions. If you're shopping online, you can filter your searches by seat width and height. Generally, the floor-to-seat height for counter-height stools will be between 23 and 28 inches, but widths can vary. If you're shopping in person, bring a tape measure with you, or pay close attention to the dimensions listed in store descriptions.  For optimum comfort, you want the seat of the stool to be around 12 inches below the counter itself. But what if your counter is not standard height, for one reason or another? The solution to this is to simply purchase stools that are adjustable. This way, they can be adjusted to the perfect height, no matter who sits on them. You can purchase counter-height stools from most major home goods retailers, such as Wayfair and IKEA.

Beyond that, your choice of kitchen counter stools ultimately depends on your home decor preferences. While stools made of natural materials like leather or wood would look at home in a minimalist kitchen, something bolder or more colorful might be a better fit amongst a maximalist decor aesthetic (which, for the record, is also trending this year). It's equally important to consider the look and finish of your kitchen island or countertop. To create a cohesive look, you'll want to select stools that either complement or juxtapose it. Some visual contrast is typically better than none. For instance, brown or tan is one of the best colors to style with a white kitchen island.