Outdoor bar stools are nowadays an essential addition to any patio, deck, or outdoor entertainment area, either private or commercial. The growth rate of outdoor furniture in Australia, with a CAGR of 5.13% from 2025 to 2029, proves their increased popularity. So, choosing the right outdoor bar stools can upgrade your outdoor dining experience, combining style with functionality.
However, choosing the right outdoor bar stools requires careful consideration of factors like:
- Durability and weather-resistance
- Right height
- Comfort
- Adjustability
- Weight capacity
- Style
- Budget, etc.
In this guide, we will share 10 essential tips you should know before buying your desired outdoor bar stools. We assure you that these will help you make the right choice.
Understanding the Different Types of Outdoor Bar Stools
Outdoor bar stools come in a variety of types. Each of them serves different functional and aesthetic needs.
Understanding each type’s essential functions will help you determine your needs.
Below are the most common types of outdoor bar stools, along with their key features and practical benefits.
Swivel Bar Stools: Convenience and Easy Movement
Swivel bar stools have a rotating seat mechanism. This function allows you to turn it in different directions without moving the entire stool. They often come with a sturdy metal or wooden frame, and some feature built-in footrests for extra support.
These stools are perfect for outdoor entertainment areas where guests frequently move or turn to engage in conversation. Swivel functionality also makes them particularly useful in busy bar setups. This helps get easy access to different seating areas without needing to shift the stool manually.
High-Back Bar Stools: Extra Support for Comfort
High-back bar stools are designed with an extended backrest. You will get supplementary lumbar support from high-back bar stools. They are often found in cushioned or padded designs to enhance comfort, making them suitable for extended sitting.
These stools are ideal for long outdoor dinners, leisurely evening drinks, or work-from-home setups on an outdoor patio.
Backless Bar Stools: Compact
Unlike high-back bar stools, backless bar stools come without the backrest. These stools range between counter height (60-66 cm) to bar height (71-76 cm).
Backless stools are generally perfect for compact spaces in commercial or private outdoor places with limited spaces.
Stackable Bar Stools: Space-Saving and Practical
Stackable bar stools are lightweight and designed for easy storage. They are typically made from materials such as plastic, aluminium, or resin to keep them light yet sturdy. Many models also have a simple, no-arm design to ensure they can be stacked compactly.
These stools are an excellent choice for those with limited outdoor space or for businesses like cafes and restaurants that need to store seating when not in use. Homeowners who host occasional outdoor gatherings can also benefit from having extra stools that can be stacked away when not needed.
Adjustable Height Stools: Flexible for Various Settings
Adjustable height stools come with a mechanism—often a gas-lift or screw-lift system. The adjustability allows you to modify the seat height. They are commonly made with metal bases and cushioned or wooden seats.
These stools are perfect for spaces with varied seating needs, such as an outdoor bar with different counter heights or a multi-use patio area. They allow for customisation, making them a practical option for families or businesses that require adaptable seating.
10 Must-Know Tips Before Buying Outdoor Bar Stools
Here are 10 useful tips for you before you buy your outdoor bar stools. These will help you to make an informed decision in picking the best products.
1. Choose Weather-Resistant Materials for Longevity
Outdoor furniture is constantly exposed to the elements. In Australia, the climate is diverse. It is one of the countries with the highest UV radiation levels in outdoor environments.
Australia also has some harsh heat, storms, winds, and other outdoor extreme situations. Different cities in Australia have higher humidity. For example, Brisbane gets 65-70% humidity from January to March.
So, you must select weather-resistant bar stools to withstand these diverse weather in Australia. Popular weather-resistant and durable materials include:
- Wood (Plywood & Teak): Natural Beauty with Durability
Wood is a top choice for outdoor bar stools for both residential and commercial outdoor spaces. Plywood is the most used due to its cost-effectiveness and durability when treated for outdoor conditions. Teak, a premium hardwood, contains natural oils that prevent rot and insect damage.
- Stainless Steel: Strength and Rust Resistance
Stainless steel is highly durable and rust-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor rust-proof and UV-resistant furniture. It reflects approximately 50% of visible light. With protective coatings like galvanisation or powder-coating, it withstands humidity and salty air, maintaining its sleek, modern look.
- Iron: Classic Look with Heavy-Duty Strength
Wrought iron and cast iron offer exceptional durability and a timeless aesthetic as outdoor bar stool materials. Their strong structures are ideal for windy environments. However, iron requires rust-resistant coatings to prevent corrosion.
- Plastic (Polypropylene): Lightweight and Low Maintenance
Polypropylene plastic is lightweight and pretty much perfect for moveable outdoor bar stools. It has good resistance to chemicals, fatigue, heat, and moisture.
The chemical structure of polypropylene is (C3H6)n. The structure is linear and is made from hydrocarbon resin.
The tensile strength of polypropylene is 35,7 MPa, and its maximum continuous operating temperature is 80 degrees Celsius.
Though it is not highly UV-resistant. But it can withstand continuous sun, rain, and other environmental elements with regular low maintenance. Its affordability and light weight make it a good option for outdoor bar stools.
- GFRC Concrete: Ultra-Durable and Modern
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) is lightweight, highly durable, and resistant to cracking. These make it ideal for long-term outdoor use.
- Resin Wicker: Fade-Resistant and Weatherproof
Resin wicker is a synthetic material. The core element of resin wicker is polyethylene, particularly HDPE (high-density polyethylene). The PE is then composed of colourants and antioxidants at high temperatures.
HDPE can operate under temperatures ranging from -50°C to +60°C. It has a very low water absorption rate, a maximum of only 0.01%. The tensile strength of HDPE is 28 MPa, which is strong enough for making outdoor bar stools.
All these characteristics make resin wicker a perfect and one of the most popular choices for outdoor furniture, including outdoor bar stools.
Resin withstands harsh weather, resisting fading, warping, and cracking. When adding wood dust or using moulds with wood grain patterns, it mimics wood, making it a practical choice for outdoor bar stools.
2. Select the Right Height for Your Bar or Counter
To ensure comfort, you need to match the height of bar stools with your counter. Here is how you can choose the stool height.
- For tables 90 cm high, go for counter-height stools (seat height 60–66 cm).
- For a counter or table height of 105 cm tall, go for bar-height stools (seat height 71–76 cm).
- If your bar/table/counter has a height of more than 115 cm, you should go for extra-tall stools (seat height 85 cm and above).
3. Prioritise Comfort with Cushioned or Ergonomic Designs
If you are planning to arrange some long gatherings occasionally in your private or commercial outdoor spaces, seating comfort must be a frontline aspect.
You should consider the following comfort things in mind when choosing outdoor bar stools.
- Cushioned Seats
Seat cushioning is a must for long-time seating comfort. When seat foam, polyurethane foam, gel foam, and reticulated foam are the best choices for outdoor comfort with durability against outdoor environments.
Opt for weather-resistant outdoor fabric like Sunbrella, coated polyester, olefin, acrylic, etc.
- Ergonomic designs
Opt for contoured and padded seats and high-back bar stools for long-term seating.
- Contoured shapes fit human bodies as they should be equipped. padded seats ensure long-term comfort and safeguard your buttocks from pain. On the other hand, high-back stools support your lumber, skipping back pain.
- Footrests
Bars tools typically have more height than regular stools. Most times, your feet will be over the floor surface. In such a seating condition, footrests add comfort to your feet and stability to your overall seating position.
4. Opt for Stackable or Space-Saving Designs
If you are looking for the most functional bar stools for small patios or balconies, stackable bar stools are ideal.
Well, how do they make sense? Check below.
- Stackable stools make storage easy during the off-season. You can simply stack one stool on another, which you can store in a single layer in the corner of your store room.
- At the same time, due to scalability, they free up space when not in use. So you can utilise your compact spaces for any other purposes.
- If you want to move the stools for any other occasion in any other space, they provide flexibility for different occasions. Stackable stools are lightweight, so you can move them easily.
5. Consider Swivel and Adjustable Features for Flexibility
Modern outdoor bar stools often include several advanced features. Blending of implementation such features allows you to get multifunctional outdoor bar stools.
To enrich your bar stool experience with diverse functionality, you can opt for swivel, adjustable, and rotatable stools.
- Swivel bar stools: If you want to enjoy all around your seating position, swivel bar stools are a great choice. As we mentioned earlier, these stools allow for easy movement and conversation with 360-degree rotation. This provides convenience in multi-directional settings.
- Adjustable height stools: Do you want to go up and down the seating position of your bar stool along with different bar counter positions? Well, adjustable height stools are the solution. You can use adjustable height stools at various counter heights. This will save you money and the hassle of buying different height stools for different height table tops or bars.
6. Check Weight Capacity and Stability
Your bar stools will hold different people with different weights. In such situations, safety and durability are crucial. It is always recommended to be on the safe side in terms of the weight capacity of the bar stools.
So, make sure your Look for:
- High-weight capacity: Choose stools that support at least 120 kg. Up to 200 kg is the safest. High-weight capacity ensures your outdoor bar stools won’t suddenly break down with any guest on them.
- Wide bases: Wide bases prevent tipping over, especially on uneven ground. So your stools will be stable and won’t wobble on the floor surface.
- Anti-slip feet: Make sure the stools have anti-slip rubber feet. They ensure stability on slippery surfaces.
7. Match the Stool Styles to Your Outdoor Decor
The style and design factor of your outdoor bar stools should complement your overall design aesthetic. Consider:
- Sleek metal or minimalist stools complement modern designs. These designs pair well with sleek black, grey, or metallic finishes, creating a minimalist feel.
- Wooden bar stools fit best for a warm, natural look. Earthy tones like walnut, oak, or distressed white for a cozy, natural look complement the rustic wooden theme.
- White, soft blue, pastel or light-coloured stools suit beachside patios. They reflect a breezy beachside atmosphere.
- For a bohemian vibe, opt for iron or wicker stools in warm neutrals.
- Industrial settings work well with matte black or dark bronze finishes.
Matching colours and materials to your theme ensures a cohesive and stylish outdoor setting.
8. Focus on Maintenance
Outdoor furniture requires regular upkeep- durability and maintenance complement each other. So, to ensure longevity:
- Choose easy-to-clean materials. Powder-coated metal and synthetic wicker resist dirt. Also, opt for Easy to assemble stools. Such types of stools are less complex and require easy cleaning.
- Cover stools when not in use. This will protect your outdoor bar stools against harsh weather with furniture covers.
9. Look for Affordable Yet High-Quality Options
High quality doesn’t always mean high price. It is about balancing the price and quality, bringing value for money.
Here’s how to balance cost and quality:
- Shop during sales – End-of-season sales like year-end sales, season-end sales, etc., and offer discounts and great deals.
- Compare brands: Some budget-friendly brands offer durable options. So, prefer quality over the name of the brand. You can learn about budget-friendly brands from others’ experiences before purchasing.
10. Choose Stools That Drain Water Easily
If you plan to buy non-portable or non-stackable bar stools, and they tend to be left outdoors most of the time, go for stools with water-draining features.
For example,
- Choose mesh seats or quick-dry fabrics to prevent water from pooling inside the cells of your wooden stools. Polyester or olefin are recommended for seat fabrics. They both dry quickly after being wet.
- If you like to get solid seats, you can choose perforated seats. The small holes of perforation will allow water to repel from the seats.
FAQs
Some outdoor bar stools come fully assembled, while others require partial or full assembly. Stools with intricate designs or adjustable features may need additional setup. Always check the product details and ensure you have the necessary tools if assembly is required.
Measure your counter height and choose a stool height that allows 25–30 cm of legroom for comfortable seating.
Yes, but opt for water-resistant, UV-protected cushions to prevent wear and tear.
You’ll need protective coatings and sealants to keep your outdoor bar stools in pristine condition. Sealants help prevent moisture penetration and water damage, while protective coatings add a tough layer against UV rays, rust, and scratches.
For wood stools, try teak oil or polyurethane sealant. Metal stools? A Rust-Oleum clear spray works great. Wicker or resin benefits from an outdoor-grade polyurethane spray. Also, cover them up or store them indoors during extreme weather!
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right outdoor bar stools provides comfort, durability, and style in your outdoor space. Whether you prioritise weather-resistant materials, ergonomic designs, or space-saving features, investing in the right stools enhances your outdoor experience.
For high-quality and stylish outdoor furniture, check out Outdoor Furniture Co. We offer durable and elegant outdoor bar stool solutions designed for Australian conditions. Put your trust in us; we will make your trust worth it with quality that meets your bar stool needs standard.
