Backless Barstool Inspiration: Our Best Projects Yet

by Andrea Reynolds

Ah, the humble backless barstool. It might not be as glamorous as a fully upholstered lounge or as stately as an all-walnut dining table, but there’s a reason these functional humble pieces are still in rotation.

With its small footprint and simple form, the venerable backless barstool has transformed from a diner staple to a design staple with the help of new shapes, bright powder coat colors, rich solid wood seats, and thoughtful fabrics. Here are some of the best backless barstools installations that prove the humble stool can be the perfect seating addition to any space.

1. Sally Stools in Jetties Waterfront Kitchen + Drink

Sally-backless-commercial-grade-stool-in-JettiesSally stools in gloss white and solid wood seat with natural clear coat finish. Designed by Kyle Avarell.

Jetties, your favorite dockside hangout in Lake Arrowhead, California, or as I like to call it, “heaven.” Inside this lovely lakeside oasis, you’ll find a light and bright design that pairs perfectly with unpretentious dockside classics like burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Aside from the Chris-Craft prominently displayed in the dining room, our favorite design element must be the simple gloss white bolt down Sally stools with the maple top. This area creates the perfect perch to have a summer beverage and fries after a sunny day of boating and relaxing on the lake. Like I said, heaven.

2. Sir Burly in Happy Money

Sir-Burly-Barstool-in-Happy-Money-office-interior-design-insp

Who said backless stools are limited to restaurants? Not us and not the offices of Happy Money, a new age consumer debt solutions provider. Whereas most financial brands can feel stuffy, Happy Money approaches their branding, website, messaging, and even their office’s interior design with approachability and friendliness. In their office café, designers of Rapt Studio selected the dare-I-say adorable Sir Burly in a sunny yellow. If there was one stool that personifies happiness, look no further than Sir Burly.

2. Rosie Stools in Hip City Veg

rosie-stools-in-hipcityveg

We can’t have this list without mentioning Hip City Veg. Inside this new age diner concept sits our most classic diner stool ever—our Rosie Stool. However, like their vegan and vegetarian take on classic diner fare, Hip City Veg also reinterprets what the classic diner stool should look like. Instead of teal or red and chrome, Hip City Veg opts to finish the Rosie stool in ink black and (of course) a vegan leather seat. It’s those small details that modernize a classic concept.

See the entire Hip City Veg diner design here.

3. Brady Stools in Boss Rambler

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Backless stools immediately make a space feel more casual and approachable. Case in point: the Brady Backless stools in Boss Rambler Beer Club. At Boss Rambler, their motto is “Good Time Beers. Inspired by Adventure, Enjoyed with Friends." The design perfectly echoes that ethos, incorporating color and casual seating like the Brady Backless to create moments of respite, joy, and fun. Brady is finished in a bright and zesty traffic yellow with a clear topcoat to let the Maple top shine.

See more of this colorful and contemporary brewery design. 

5. Rosie Stools in Life Alive Organic Cafe

220_Rosie_LifeAlive_GlossWhite_LtBlue2Rosie Bolt-Down barstools in Gloss White, image via Morgan Lone Photography

The Rosie stool is back, only this time, finished in an entirely new way. Inside Life Alive Organic Café in Boston, Massachusetts, color is the primary vehicle in this space. Each section of the all-day café has a different color story to emote different emotions and senses. At the bar, ROYGBIV unites to create a dynamic and lively visual experience that centers the cafe. You’ll notice the Rosie Stools are finished in a muted grey, letting the colorful bar take center stage.

Tour the entire Life Alive Café space here.

6. Hurdle Stools in Burgers 99

hurdle-stool-in-burgers-99Hurdle stools in custom blue and white oak seat. Photography by Madeline Tolle.

Last, but certainly not least, is Burgers 99 located in Los Angeles. The space is modern, clean, and minimal with just the right amount of color. Most of the architectural features are finished in white, allowing the furniture to be on full display. The Hurdle stool is a perfect choice for color as its simple a-frame shape, slender steel tubing, and white oak seat complement bright and bold color choices.

Want more? See our best budget-friendly barstools (which include a few backless!) or head to our seating and barstool page to get details on lead times, finishes, and pricing. 

 

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