The Trendy Kitchen Seating Option Designers Say They Regret Buying

Backless stools can be a lovely and even practical seating choice for your kitchen. Without bulky backs in the way, they allow an unobstructed view of the rest of your kitchen or open floor plan home when you're not using them. Plus, they're easier to tuck away under the counter — which is especially handy if space is an issue — so it's little wonder that they're considered a trendy kitchen seating option. However, backless stools are a seating choice that some designers say are a big kitchen design regret.

Kevin O'Gara, founder of Kevin Francis Design, told Southern Living that while backless stools often look great, they're simply not very enjoyable to sit on for very long. "I find kitchen islands typically multitask as family centers and dining areas," he explained, "so making these seats comfortable and supportive is always a good idea and is well appreciated in the long run." Likewise, designer Genevieve Trousdale of Circa Genevieve told Apartment Therapy that backless stools are only meant for a quick perch, so "if you want to be in the middle of the action in the kitchen, it's better to find something with a back for support and a swivel so you can easily get in and out of them."

It's true that many of us use our kitchen counters not just for a quick bite but for longer activities throughout the day — like informal family meals, overseeing the kids' homework, or doing extra work from home. If that's the case, then you should make sure that your seating offers the support and comfort you'll need for hours of sitting. Otherwise, you may be prone to discomfort and back issues.

Of course, comfort is perhaps the biggest area where backless stools tend to be lacking. Without any back support, you're inclined to slouch while sitting in a backless stool, or you may try to compensate by perching on it with perfect posture — neither of which feel great to do for an extended period. But what's worse is that both of those positions can lead to health issues in the long term. Not only can slouching cause neck and back pain, it can also contribute to breathing and balance problems. And trying to maintain perfect posture for too long without any support can cause painful, overworked hip and back muscles. Plus, if you have a very basic backless stool where the height isn't adjustable, it can cause shoulder tension from straining to stoop or reach up to the counter or table. 

Further, for safety reasons, these seats are a kitchen trend you can leave in the past. If you live in a home with small children, backless stools can pose a fall hazard for little ones. Anyone with little kids or grandkids knows how energetic and spontaneous they can be (even — or perhaps especially — at the dinner table!) and backless stools have no barrier in place to stop them from accidentally flinging themselves backward. Kids do have a knack for finding danger in any scenario, though, so know that even stools with backs can sometimes be hazardous in the hands of very small children. 

When it comes to picking seats for your kitchen island, counter, or bar, comfort and style can go hand-in-hand. For comfortable seating material that's also good for your back, take some advice from "Goldilocks and the Three Bears": go for something that's not too hard, yet not too soft. An extra squishy chair can induce slouching, which causes bad posture and back discomfort, while a chair that's too hard puts too much pressure on the lower spine. So aim for something in the middle. That said, the materials don't need to be very austere. You can get support while still indulging in beautiful, comfy upholsteries like velvet or a soft leather — and all the better if you choose a darker color material that won't advertise stains as easily.

Bigger barstools with backs can elevate the look of your kitchen in addition to being more comfortable to lounge in. Or if you have your heart set on countertop seating that has all the petiteness of a backless stool yet still offers some support, a low-back stool may be a good in-between. Low-back stools cradle the lower back for that little extra bit of stability, and while they don't fit under the counter quite as snuggly as backless stools, some can almost squeeze all the way under and are a lot less conspicuous than their backed counterparts. And finally, no matter what type of backed stool you choose, it's a good idea to opt for something with an adjustable height so that you can tailor it to whatever works best for the sitter and your space.