Bontempi Bar Stools

For us, Bontempi's strength in bar stools comes back to two familiar designs: Clara and Nata. Both are also successful dining chairs for Vale, and their combination of comfort, proportions and extensive finish choices translates particularly well into stools for kitchens and open-plan living spaces.

Start with how you want to sit

The Clara is our bestselling Bontempi seating family. Its curved shape wraps around you as you sit, giving it a comfortable, cosy feel. For the stool, the back is scaled down to keep those familiar Clara lines in proportions that work better at a kitchen counter or bar.

Nata has a softer, simpler profile, with a gently curved back and rounded piping detail. Both Clara and Nata give you a choice of four-legged counter-height and bar-height stools, alongside adjustable swivel versions, so the decision is not simply about which design you prefer.

Counter height, bar height or adjustable?

If you are unsure which height you need, start with the counter itself. Is it roughly the same height as your kitchen worktop and hob, or is the seating area raised above it? We can then help you work out the appropriate stool height and the clearance you need to sit comfortably.

Think about how you will use the stool too. Four-legged stools are generally lighter, easier to move and less expensive. An adjustable swivel stool gives you more flexibility, particularly in an open-plan kitchen where you might want to turn away from the counter to talk to someone elsewhere in the room.

Swivel is not automatically the better option. Check the space around the stool and consider what it can come into contact with as it turns. We have seen stools repeatedly knocked against the edge of a breakfast bar, eventually marking the stool or surrounding furniture. A little thought about how it will move in your particular space can avoid that problem.

Bontempi gives you plenty of scope to personalise the finish

One of the reasons we continue to work with Bontempi is the breadth of choice available once you have found the right stool. Frame finishes extend well beyond the usual black or neutral options, while the upholstery collection gives you a wide choice of colours, textures and materials.

Choose the covering with the way you live in mind as well as the colour. Modern fabrics can offer good durability and cleanability, so fabric should not automatically be discounted for everyday dining. In a busy kitchen with young children, however, an appropriate leather or wipeable synthetic covering may prove the more straightforward choice. We can talk you through the individual materials rather than assuming one type of covering will suit every home.

Try the stool in the space where you will actually use it

Measurements are useful, but sometimes the simplest way to answer the question is to try the stool at home. If you are unsure about the height, proportions, colour or how a stool will sit against your counter, ask us about taking a display stool home to try in the room.

Bontempi forms just one part of our wider bar stool collection. At our Ash Vale showroom you can compare Clara and Nata with stools from other manufacturers, while our full range of bar stools is a useful place to explore more designs online.

What we show online is also only a selected part of the wider Bontempi range. We have worked with the brand for around 12 years, so if you need a different configuration, colour or finish, talk to us and we can explore the wider collection with you.