Leave roughly 30 cm between the seat and the surface above it. That single rule produces 45 cm at a 75 cm dining table and 65 to 75 cm at a bar or high worktop. Less and your knees hit; more and you sit too low to eat comfortably.
| Surface height | Seat height | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 75 cm | 45 cm | Dining table |
| 90 cm | 60-65 cm | Kitchen worktop |
| 105 cm | 75-80 cm | Bar, high island |
Not every stool is for sitting
Some of ours are made as plant stands, bedside tables or purely decorative objects, and their construction reflects that. Every product states what it is intended for and what it will carry, so check that first if you plan to put a person on it. That is not a formality: a decorative stool takes weight in a different place than a seat does.
The most useful piece in a small room
A stool works as extra seating when people come over, a side table beside the sofa, a plant stand, and a bedside table in a bedroom too narrow for a real one. That versatility is why it earns its place in a small flat where a dedicated piece would not.
Material and where it can live
Solid wood and wickerwork last for years indoors but absorb moisture outside, so only put out what is explicitly stated as suitable. In a bathroom, the same caution applies: steam does to a wooden stool what rain does, only more slowly.
Stability
On a high-pile rug, three legs or a solid base stay level where four thin legs sink unevenly. The same applies to any side table standing on the same rug - it is the most common cause of a wobble people blame on the furniture.
By Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 24 August 2026
