You have to consider the bar first--does it require people to have to swivel out? Some bars are open at the ends which makes it easier for people sitting there to get out. But I feel they all should swivel because if you have someone next to you, the tendency is to back a chair out--that would trap the other person.

I have stationary and wish I bought swivel stools with back. Everyone scrapes the floor to pull the chair out

Definitely swivel. These are way to close but it would be good to swivel since you could face the kitchen and converse with the cook or swivel to watch TV or talk with someone in the other room.

I like swivel bar stools, backless and on casters. If you can't stay on one of those, you don't belong at the bar. Self regulating.

The swivels look great!

The bar stool that we recently purchased is swivel but automatically swivels back to the original position. Very sophisticated compared to all others we had seen and we really like it. It is leather with side arms and a nice back. We needed only one and have plenty of room for it.

check out www.seatinginnovations.com. We just got our seats for the island and are getting ready to install them. I have several friends with them and I LOVE them!!!

If you have kids - don't get swivel!! They think it is great fun to go round and round and round and round.....until the top screws off and mum is completely dizzy!!

Designers and architects always put too many stools at counters!

Backs on swivel chairs & only 3 chairs for this island.

Swivel with backs. I had 3 rattan counter height stools. They were everyone's favorite place to sit.

swivel I have wood floors and stationary would really scratch the floors.

swivel all the way, fun for kids and easier to get in and out of for adults. Also important are stools that have a the possibility to be raised or lowered. Makes it very convenient for kids or shorter adults who need a higher seat, or for tall people to lower the seat to make it more comfortable.

I purchased small profile swivel stools as I only have a small peninsula. I wanted to be able to adjust the height so as you can see I chose the screw swivel. It lets you decide how hi or low you want to be. That being said,if I had kids this would not be my choice.

I need my back to be supported, so a "swivel high chair like stool" is best because it is easier to hop in without moving it.

after a few drinks, don't they ALL swivel????

I don't find that swivel stools provide easier egress and moving parts mean more stuff can get broken,etc. I have wooden stools to which I added sliders. because the stools are wood, butts can easily slide out and the sliders make it easier to move the stools without using wheels (which I've found to be a pain to maneuver on stools and they change the height).

Swivel at my island bar so one can turn to see outside, stationary with some back support, even if low back, at my formal bar where adults will sit.

Swivel! My stools swivel around so you can talk to people behind you, but the best thing is they swivel back into place when you get out of them. They always return to position so I'm not constantly readjusting them. That's great when you have kids...and husbands :)

I love swivel seats but on solid 4 legged stools . They also have to be easy to sit on. Some of the pedestal stools are next to impossible to sit on without ending on the floor especially for mature individuals. As we get a little older, solid base is preferred.

I really like this clean crisp look white bright kitchen.

Swivel. The passageway on the side of our island where the stools are narrows on the DR end. Swivel makes it easier to get on & off w/ people around. @Hardware Resources, you may recognize some of your product in my DR fireplace mantel. Acquired through World of Moulding, Santa Ana, CA.

what's with the multiple bar stool questions - back or no back and now this - just curious

I need extra tall stools. Where can I find them.

To swivel or not to swivel, that is the question. Swivel is easier to exit. I would choose Swivel and Lift for height adjustment. Seems that it depends on application and where they are used. The most important issue for me would be seat diameter with swivel. Not all factors are equal when choosing one over the other.

Swivel with a back. No problem with kids and better for getting on and off.

Definitely, swivel, because it's much easier to turn around in a swivel. Otherwise, you have to get up off the stool and turn it around. That may seem trivial, but if you're in a situation where you're constantly back and forth in a conversation, the ease of swiveling makes it possible and fun!!

I will prefer swivel with back support and height adjustible bar stool

No swivel with a back with kids.... they will bang the darn thing against the rim of the table for the rest of your life.

Swivel with auto return function is my favorite. Also it's best if they have four sturdy legs! Mine with slightly raised back are very comfortable.

Swivel , keeps you alert and lively ! Kids should never be on bar stools of any sort !

I'm with rileyestrada - "floating" swivel stools - or better, chairs - attached to the bar/table so they don't have to be moved for cleaning (I and my Roomba care about that!), with a return function so it always looks neat. One of the best things about permanently immovable chairs/stools is nobody will drag them someplace and stand on them and get hurt. They're pricey, but for the convenience and safety factors, I think they would be worth it.

I absolutely dislike barstools! We rather sit at our beautiful comfy dining table to eat, whatever we are having. We have had a kitchen island with room for barstools before and were hardly using them. It was looking great but that was it. Now we have a kitchen island too but NO room for barstools and I think it's looking even better!

If you have a back, it needs to swivel or it's too hard to get in and out and scootch it into place. If it doesn't have a back, then it doesn't have to swivel.

I have had both and the swivel makes it easier and faster to get comfortable at the bar

I have swivel with metal arms and backs. My counter is granite. I also have grand children. Care to guess what all that has meant for my counter top? Even the adults are guilty of doing damage to the edge of the counter top because of the metal hitting the counter. My new house will have swivel, but probably NOT with backs. Sad because the ones with backs are much more comfortable.

Swivel with height adjustment. Also, no toe stubbing with pedestal leg.

Swivel with a back. And foot rest.

Considering the look: Bar stools with legs normally are more suitable for traditional or transitional style interiors, pedestal ones often look more modern with visible mechanism for adjusting seat height which are more suitable for contemporary style interiors.

Considering the functionality and practicality: I usually specified the swivel bar stools if the stool has an upholstered back cushion and arms.

Related personal thoughts: 42"H counter tops are so outdated, love the 36"H counter tops.

Swivel if they are backless, stationary if they have backs and arms. You can destroy your countertop with all the swiveling! Hope this helps!

Swivels are good if you need to put a lot into a small space, but I definitely prefer stationary. I feel like they're a lot safer, and people with longer legs wont be accidentally turning themselves into someone elses knees.

A swivel bar stool with upholstered back cushion will not destroy a hard surface counter top that is normally made of Corian, granite, or Caesarstone.

Swivel if children are not present. With children, definitely stationary.

depends on how many drinks are being served

Definitely swivel. Much more functional when serving as extra seating.

I've had 2 different sets of counter stools and they both swiveled. The first set when my kids were toddlers had backs. The first set went with us to a house that had only an island for dining in the kitchen (the kids were 5 and 8) and they did great with them.

The second set I owned also swiveled, had low backs and hydraulic lifts. These went with me in 2 different homes and were used at counter height and then bar height.

So my vote, is for 3 elements: swivel, back, and hydraulic/adjustable height! And I agree with other posters on the swivel that goes back to the original position.

Perfect
Color
No swivel

Lisa Williams Would you recommend (or not not recommend) swivel with little kids? Seems like many people say that, especially with backs, but I'm not sure it matters. My kids are 4, 7, 7.

Hi cailgirl123. I had swivel stools with low backs. And I had 4 kids under age 9 (added 2 stepkids by then). I would say it depends on 1. your kids, 2. the island configuration.

This island has an apron and support pillars that are wood and could be dinged by swivel backs.

This island has a simple stone overhang which, as long as its a durable stone, would probably fare OK.

I hope this helps with your decision :)

Thanks!