We went backless so I could completely tuck them under when not in use. Pottery Barn.

We went backless as well for the same reason as johnsoro25- easy to tuck away when not in use, plus a fun pop of color :) Got them from Target (online) at a great price! I have kids, and too, was worried about them banging a swivel seat into the counters as they did at the last house.

nhbaskets, I love your stools! Modern and sleek!

I have the same ones as angelazuill, but in white. From overstock. Then I bought seat cushions from Etsy to make them a tad more comfortable.

I thought of swivel stools, but with kids, I didn't want them banging them into the counters.

I like that I can tuck them under the counter, or easily move them around for seating elsewhere. Great price, too!

I'm trying to decide between swivel and non- too. My peninsula will be marble and there's the kid part of the equation that says "No!" But then there's he husband part of the equation. He had 2 herniated discs a couple of years ago that still trouble him occasionally, and at the same time we found out he has he beginnings of arthritis in his back. He loves to sit at the counter when I'm cooking or baking and I think swivels (with backs) would be best for him, but there's so little variety!!

Part of the problem is trying to find any variety of bar stools in stores so you can sit on them. I've sat on enough that were not comfortable to be uncomfortable ordering online. Then there's the fact that DH IS 6'4" and I'm 5'. We've never had an island before, so I'm honestly not sure how much we'll sit at it.

I think stools with cushioning and a back on them are more comfortable to sit at. We have young kids, so I opted for non-swivel and easy-wipe black leather cushioned seats. Our stools are in the main walk-way, so we got backless stools so they wouldn't take up so much room. If we had more room, I'd probably select stools with a low back on them.

I have stools similar to these https://www.target.com/p/kyoto-swivel-counter-stool-hardwood-black-boraam/-/A-12915445#lnk=sametab&preselect=11160985 and these: https://www.target.com/p/bristol-29-swivel-barstool-black-boraam/-/A-52177902#lnk=sametab

I chose them because they swivel, have a faux leather which is wipeable, and are cushioned.

I bought these: https://www.wayfair.com/Amaranthe-30-Swivel-Bar-Stool-LRFY1385.html

I wanted swivel and upholstered and not insanely expensive. Comfort was very important. I'm single and eat there most meals, also like to use it for working on my laptop. Mine are bar height, so I thought the swivel was important for being able to get in and out easily. Ideally I would have liked to sit on some stools in person, but the in-person selection was just so limited I decided to buy online.

Verdict: I'm happy with the look and comfort for the price. I do sit on them for hours at a time, and my butt gets sore eventually, but I think that's a limitation for a tall stool where you can't put your feet on the ground.

My daughter bought these. They have a low back, swivel and come in a multitude of fabrics or faux leather. Many finishes for the metal too. They also have a lot of other styles. Barstool. Tricia bar stools are made in Canada and sold in small furniture stores.

Karenseb, those would be perfect for me, but I suspect the "contact for price" means they're well out of my price range. :-(

Townlakescakes, luckily my daughter only needed two. Her price was close to the last stool shown on this website. .Barstool

there were 2 shops in our city that carried this brand and one shop was about 15% less than the other shop. It took about 6 weeks to get them.

I sit at my counter all the time while working on my laptop, so I definitely wanted ones with backs but I didn't want ones that looked too clunky, so I found these online & love them.

Love my Crate and Barrel Lowe counter stools in smoke grey.

I have the Marcello barstools from Ballard Designs. Made in the USA, choice of fabric and leg finishes. Swivels but really no danger of chipping.

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Here they are: LINK

They also have a more contemporary Shelton (with and without nailheads).

We dealt with the swivel hitting the granite problem by sticking an acrylic bumper on the stool. These bumpers are available from Home Depot, etc. in many shapes and sizes.

Be sure to check costco.com for many bar stool options.