Buying Guidefurniture
Table for Bar Stools: How to Pick One That Fits Your Stools
Choosing a table to go with bar stools: match the heights, check what a stool strength report should name, and look after the finish.
Researched and edited by the PouchMe team Updated 22 October 2026 Every fact linked to its source
A table for bar stools works when its height suits the seat height of the stools. Decide the stool height first, then pick a table to match. As a guide, one Australian retailer, Temple & Webster, lists counter-height stool seats at 60 to 66 cm.[1]
What to decide before you buy a table for bar stools
- Start with the stool seat height. One Australian retailer, Temple & Webster, describes counter-height stools as having seats of 60 to 66 cm. Measure your stools or the ones you plan to buy, then choose a table that suits that seat height.[1]
- Think about how the set will be used. The European standard EN 12520 covers seating for the home. EN 16139 covers commercial seating and has two levels. Home buyers typically need EN 12520; check with the retailer whether they test to European standards or Australian requirements.[2]
- If a seller offers a test report for the stools, check what it names. One manufacturer's guide says a usable report names the standard, the level, the model tested, the laboratory and the date. A report for a different chair in the same catalogue is not evidence for your stool. If the frame dimensions, timber, joint or foam density change, the report for the original model no longer describes the new stool.[2]
- Know what those tests cover. In the same guide, the seat is loaded repeatedly, the backrest is pushed back, the legs take a horizontal force at seat height and the frame is dropped onto its legs. Stability, meaning how hard the stool is to tip, is checked separately under EN 1022.[2]
- Match the tabletop finish to the spot. For timber furniture, one Australian maker says never to let water sit on the surface, because it can cause swelling and splitting. The same maker warns that prolonged direct sunlight can fade the finish, and that extreme temperature and humidity changes can cause cracking, swelling or splitting. Keep that in mind if the table will sit beside a sunny window.[3]
Upkeep for a timber top is simple. One Australian maker suggests dusting often with a damp, lint-free cloth and occasionally using a light application of good furniture polish. The same maker says to avoid oil polishes and wax.[3]
Common questions
Can I return a table and stools if the height turns out wrong?
Usually only if the retailer's own policy allows it. A change of mind generally does not entitle you to a refund or replacement, though many retailers accept returns of goods that are unused and undamaged. Check the return policy before you order, and check the current rules with your state or territory consumer protection agency.[4]
What if the table or a stool is faulty?
Faulty goods carry remedies under the Australian Consumer Law. If the failure is not major, you can require the supplier to fix it within a reasonable time. If it is major, you can ask for a repair, replacement or refund. The hub guide covers consumer guarantees in full.[4]
Do I need Level 2 stools for home use?
Not necessarily. EN 12520 is the standard for seating in the home, while EN 16139 covers seating elsewhere and grades it by level. One manufacturer's guide describes Level 2 as a harder test regime applied to the same chair, for severe use.[2]
Sources
How this guide was made
Drafted with AI assistance from the sources listed, then fact-checked and edited by the PouchMe team. PouchMe researches products from published information; we have not tested them ourselves.
How we research