I would rethink the swivel stool. I have read comments about the swivel stools chipping granite. I don't have any experience with them, just repeating what I have heard.

Also I would be hesitant to plan an expensive item like a granite countertop around the stools. You will probably have the island and the granite for a long time and the bar stools can easily be replaced.

Here is a picture of mine, also I think there was a recent post asking for pictures of island and stools. I decided to go with black, since I felt I had so much natural wood in the house already. I struggled with the bar stool thing, too, but didn't really look too hard until I had the granite in. The children's needs will certainly be a factor in your decision. Good Luck, I'm sure you will get lots of help from others here.

It might help to spend a few hours (!) looking at the mega-sites to figure out what styles you like and what you're willing to spend. Check your local stores, like Pottery Barn, Pier One, World Market, Linens n' Things (good place to get inexpensive saddle stools), Bed Bath & Beyond, Target (inexpensive air-lift stools that kids can use), furniture stores, patio furniture and gaming stores, etc. (Catalogs and websites show more inventory than a personal visit.)

You need to know or figure out:

Height

Budget (It's not hard to spend $200 or more / stool.)

Swivel vs stationary (Keep in mind that kids will spin in a swivel stool and bang the back against your counter)

Arms vs no arms

Seat material (wood, upholstered, vinyl, metal...)

Seat comfort

Overall material (wood, metal, plastic)

There's also the option of getting something from a carpenter or artist. You can find some at summer art fairs, or I know of a guy in Oregon who does neat stools out of reclaimed wine barrels.

Frankly, I'd recommend going to Linens n' Things, getting the inexpensive saddle stools, playing with the arrangement with cardboard cutouts, and returning the stools once you've decided. That'll take some of the pressure off from making so many decisions at once and let you get on with figuring out your counter shape.

Hth and doesn't muddle you up more. The website I'm linking in has a browsing/sorting tool that I found useful (scroll down, it's on the left, lets you choose your preferred features). Cate

Here is a link that might be useful: Dining Rooms Direct

Nancy - no granite here, so chipping is not a factor. We are going with laminate tops.

Cate - thank you for your advice. Maybe I should rethink the swivel thing... I figured the swivel would help people get in and out. I hate being "trapped" in a barstool with people on either side of me. And, I figured the backs were necessary so the kids don't fall off.

As far as height goes, I thought 24" was standard to 36" counters?

''Frankly, I'd recommend going to Linens n' Things, getting the inexpensive saddle stools, playing with the arrangement with cardboard cutouts, and returning the stools once you've decided.''

I know the economy is carp and money is tight, but I implore you -- if you decide to get some inexpensive interim stools, please don't RETURN them to the store after you've used them. Sell them at a garage sale or donate them to charity, but don't return USED goods to the store as if you had not ever used them. That is no better than buying and returning a dress you've worn. Abuses like that result in strict return policies that are harmful to everyone. That is why Target's once very helpful return policy is now so strict. Stores can't afford to lose money through used return items. The people who get hurt in the end are the consumers.

Tip, re: backs on stools. With backs, kids tend to tip back (mine do it constantly at my in-laws, even though they BOTH have falled b/c of it!)

I will not be getting swivel or backs on my island barsools.

sars - no worries!

What are some other small child/teen friendly stool designs?

I have simple stools from ikea no swivel, no back. My niece still hangs back and tilts them. It drives me nuts.
Nobody has ever fallen off a stool at any age. Unless they are toddlers, I wouldn't worry too much. I also wouldn't plan my countertop around my stools. Do you need them to plan the shape or the material of the counter? What is it that you have decided yet?

try overstock.com and homedecorators.com

I'm sure cate just meant to buy a stool and see how you like it shape-wise not use it and return it.
There is nothing wrong with buying a stool to see if the shape is right and returning it if it isn't.

If you want the stools to blend in, then match the wood. If you do a different wood, it would have to match some other furniture. Painted stools can match or not match. Like nancy's. They just stand out nicely.

Here is a link that might be useful: home decorators

Sarschlos - No, I certainly didn't mean to imply she should do anything improper. I meant that she could easily test those stools, and test her ideas about the space, at home. Not use them and return them.

Gardenwebber - Yes, 24-26" is standard for a 36" counter. I got curious about your island size, and the latest plan I found was from the end of October. Is that still your plan? Are you open to talking about island shape here? I guess I have a lot of the same worries that Nancyjn expressed, that bar stools are easier replaced than your countertop.

That said, I think mocha or black barstools would look lovely with the mocha glaze on your cabinets and with those dark brown/black flecks on your counter. Maybe something similar to your dining room chairs, since they'll be in the same space?

I can't help you so much with the shape or style of stool, but we struggled with the same thing. Oh, we did see a few stools online that we really liked, but at $1,400 a stool, they were out of our budget!

Our cabinets are maple with a cider stain. There were no stools out there with a similar wood tone. So, we found some pretty simple non-swivel stools that were unfinished. DH painted the back and legs black, and we had the seats stained by cabinet guys to match the cabinets. We took the seats in when they were staining the cabinets, so they still had the stain there and ready to go. It cost us an extra $60 for the 4 stools.

Although I would have preferred cushioned stools, most of the time it will be the kids sitting on them, and it wasn't worth my stress level to have fabric.

I sit on my barstool most of the time so I would not have one that was not padded and swiveled.

Ok, so maybe I need to look into no swivel, no back round stools, black... with a nice cushion... That sounds good.

Cate - I would LOVE help figuring out our island shape. The plan is to have DH actually make the island top and cover it with laminate sheeting in the same pattern our perimeter cabs will be. I have 4'3" of 24" deep cabs under the island, and I would like a 1 foot overhang for stools. I want 3 stools to be able to sit. I am having a hard time finding a way to fit 3 stools comfortably with plenty of elbow room, without anyone feeling trapped in the middle, and without crowding our aisle and walkways too much.

Perhaps I'll attach a pic later to further show the issues.

I just got my barstools yesterday from overstock. I was undecided, but could not resist the price for heavy duty, all wood stools. I only have one together so far (bc I am lazy LOL) but it is super sturdy, has nice fabric, and is very well made. No swivel, but it's a great quality stool, especially for the pride. Paid just over 700 for 6 stools including free shipping, I think under 120 apiece since I had a coupon code for 10% off. I can't believe how close a color match they are to my cabinets!

(sigh) now to find a cheapy temporary counter height table

Here is a link that might be useful: overstock stools

I found these at overstock. How do they look? They do swivel, but they don't have a back, so maybe that would be a good compromise?

I don't know why I feel like a barstool needs to swivel in order to be comfortable. It seems like it would help a person "get out" more easily. Is that true? Here is a link to these stools I am considering. Would love opinions...

Here is a link that might be useful: stools at overstock

Here is a similar stool, sold in pairs (so I would get two for basically what I would pay at overstock) Would their be a huge difference in quality with the Target barstools?

Here is a link that might be useful: Target barstools

I just ordered these thanks to someone on this site. I have two kids and wood floors so I don't want scratches and these look super comfy. You can get it in many diff. finishes and fabrics. They are all over the internet at around the same price. I paid a little more and ordered them from Target so I could return them if they're too big.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bar stools

Gardenwebber: Since you've already received quite a bit of advice on the stools themselves - I just wanted to add that we purchased our stools from barstoolsupercenter.com. We've been very happy with the stools, and the ordering and receipt of our order was seamless.