French Country Counter Stools

Emily Hilton Interior Design Expert

Emily is a young, talented designer, whose professional interests gravitate towards kitchen and dining spaces. She prides herself on her attention to detail, obsession with functionality, and appreciation for craftsmanship.

Updated 18/10/2021

For lovers of French country kitchen furniture design, we have a collection of French country bar stools for your viewing pleasure. They are sturdy, gorgeous in design and style, and will accent your kitchen beautifully, especially if you have already added other French country items to the space. See collection for more details in our French country bar stools.

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Our Picks

French counter stools with backrest in a light finish

As long as you have enough room for them, French country counter height bar stools with a back or armrests will reward you with a comfier experience.

This is especially recommended if you think you’ll be sitting on them for longer periods of time and don’t want to run the risk of slouching.

Perhaps you love this idea but are still worried about your visual flow or your room looking a bit too busy? Then just prioritize lighter finishes from the typical French country palette (for example, cream, light gray, white, or beige) to avoid a heavy look.

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French country backless bar stools

If you’re tight on space, French bar stools without a back nor armrests are the wisest choice, especially for kitchen islands.

Not only won’t they get in the way of your visual flow (making your small setting appear airier and wider than it actually is): you’ll also be able to push them underneath the top surface as soon as you’re done using them.

This will translate into extra space around your dining area, which is always a big plus.

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Dark alternative

Another effective decorative trick involves creating a pleasant contrast between your new French country bar stools and the actual table or island.

So, if the latter already showcases a light finish, you could experiment with darker stools that still maintain a harmonious French country design (like ornate legs and an elegant round or oval back, for instance).

Some popular darker hues in this style’s palette are chocolate, graphite, burgundy, and old violet.

However, darker furniture can result in a heavier and more cluttered feel, which is why we only recommend it in spacious rooms where this wouldn’t be a risk.

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Comfy upholstered French country kitchen stools

WORKPRO Heavy Duty Adjustable Hydraulic Shop Stool, Black

Coaster Home Furnishings Tufted Back Counter Height Stools Beige and Rustic Brown (Set of 2) (193168)

Comfy upholstered French country kitchen stools

Coaster Home Furnishings

For the most comfortable experience that’s more similar to traditional chairs, upholstered designs certainly get bonus points (they’ll probably want to make you have breakfast for hours instead of getting up!).

This is a slightly more contemporary take on the traditional French country style, but you can still maintain the latter by choosing upholstered stools in more ornate designs (e.g. featuring harmonious lines), a rustic wooden frame, and a color from its charming natural palette.

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French provincial counter stools

Birch Lane™

Nature and the romantic world of the countryside obviously play a central role in this bucolic decorative style.

If you’d like to emphasize them even further, consider looking for provincial-style French counter stools in an attractive but more casual design. For instance, you could scout for open backs in a crossed pattern, distressed wood, or discolored paint.

You basically want to make it look as if you had just brought a French countryside patio into your dining room.

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French Country Counter Stools

Buying Guide

Kitchen Islands these days serve as an excuse to cram as many barstools as one can under them. Petite, armless, lab-styled stools often jostle for space under the overhang. The question is, can you sit on these and grab a quick bite? Sure.

But can you work on them for hours at end, prepping for that baked Alaska flambé? Even worse, can six people sit next to each other on these stools comfortably? Most definitely not.

That’s why vintage furniture, like the classic French Country Barstool still finds takers. It brings in a sense of leisure to an otherwise busy setting. The ornate gilded designs lend drama to just about any décor theme. And there is an equal emphasis on comfort.

But with tons of minute nuances to sift through, shopping for these is never easy. Here’s some help.

What does French Country Barstool look like?

French Country Barstools are inspired by the classic Louis Chairs. Be it the curved (Louis XV) or rigid (Louis XIV) upholstered seatbacks, the cabriole or S-shaped legs, the motifs, fluting and stunning scrolls. This gives them, a slightly wide footprint which might limit the number of stools that you can set at the counter.

Having said that, a lot of modern day reproductions club the classic French design with contemporary styling. So, it’s completely possible to find a backless and compact French country barstool. There are designs with low backrests, with armrests and with swivel mechanisms as well.

Measure the dimensions of the kitchen island/counter and the space under it. Decide on the number of stools that you would like to place and then narrow down on a design that can be accommodated in that space.

What are French Country Barstools crafted from?

Vintage French Country Barstools were usually handcrafted out of solid wood. Always check the condition of the wood while buying one of these.

It’s common to find a few minor dents and scratches. But double check for signs of rot.
Has the frame weakened? Does the chair wobble?
If it’s upholstered, chances are that it might need a fresh set of clothes.
If you are buying new furniture, you can find French styled barstools made of other materials, like aluminum, wrought iron, steel and plastic.
Metal is a lot easier to maintain and clean. And a coat of paint in a distressed finish will give it the look of wood.
For a contemporary take on the classic design, opt for a chrome finish on the metal frame.

What kind of French Country Barstools should I get?

While comfort is subjective, you can pick barstools depending on the people who will be using it and the purpose that it will chiefly be used for.

If the stool will be placed at a kitchen island and used extensively for cooking prep, it is recommended that you opt for one with a cushioned back and armrests. This will ensure that you don’t get up with a sore back and a painful derriere after a while.
If it will be placed at the bar counter, then even a backless design will work just fine. In this case, focus on the seat cushion and the swivel mechanism. The plusher it is, the better.
Footrests on the stool will make it easier for children and elders to hop on to it.