News

Multifunctional furniture in minimalist design

You’ve invited your friends over for dinner and you happily open the door when the doorbell finally rings. Somehow there are more hands to shake than expected – because one of your friends has spontaneously brought her sister along. No problem for you. After all, you’ve baked an extra-large pizza and with your new stools you can easily add a comfortable seat to the table. This guide shows you how multifunctional the stools are and which model suits your interior style:

Back to the roots: That’s why stools are so practical

Stools are the predecessors of chairs and do not have a backrest or armrests. Despite their simple design, they serve you well. Unlike other stools or wooden chairs, they are typically softly padded, so you can sit comfortably on them. But these pieces of furniture can also be used as a place to put magazines, the remote control or your feet. Their compact shape and low weight mean you can move them around flexibly and easily carry them to where you need them.

Room by room: How to use your stool

Stools feel at home in virtually any room in the home and can be used in almost any room. Here are a few suggestions:

In the dining room: casual seating

To loosen up your dining group, you can add a few stools to your chairs or a bench. To ensure that you can sit and eat comfortably at the table, the stool should be 45 cm high or its seat should be 30 cm below the table top. It looks harmonious if you choose the stools to match the shape and in the same material as your dining table.

Tip: If space is limited, stackable dining stools are practical.

In the kitchen: variable as a stepladder

Do you have a lot of tall or wall cupboards in your kitchen and are having trouble opening them to take something out or put something in? Use your stool as a stepladder. Especially if you are a little smaller or have children, a stool ladder with steps will literally bring you closer to your goals. Check beforehand that the step is solid and does not wobble.

In the living room: comfortable as a footrest

In the living room, you can replace a side table with a large footstool or place the footstool in front of your couch to extend the seating area. You can put your feet on the footstool and relax while watching TV. Make sure that the footstool and sofa are the same height and that they match visually.

In the bathroom: practical as a silent servant

Stools can even be used in damp rooms such as the bathroom, provided they are made of rust-proof materials such as plastic and stainless steel or of impregnated wood. Before you get into the shower, you can put your clothes or towels on the stool in front of the tub or cubicle. The silent servant keeps your things within reach and the bathroom floor stays dry.

In the bedroom: simply as a bedside table

As a space-saving alternative to a bedside table, you can also use a stool in the bedroom. Many models are extra compact and simple, so you can use them in narrow alcoves. If the stool has a patterned upholstery, it looks nice if the colors are repeated in your bed linen.

In the children’s room: decorative as a toy chest

Colorful cube seats with padded edges look good in the children’s room as playful seating and extra storage space. Chest stools with lids offer plenty of space inside for toys or books that no longer fit on the shelf. This way you create a tidy impression and bring more structure to your children’s kingdom.

Tip: For stools that have direct contact with the floor, it is important that you can remove the covers and wash them in the machine.

Frame and cover: What material should your stool be made of?

How your stool looks and how soft you sit on it depends largely on its material. Here is an overview of the individual frame and cover variants.

Wood: warm and robust

Wooden stools bring a touch of nature into your home with their warm color. Solid blocks of wood, such as those that look like a tree stump, are particularly robust. Stools where only the feet of the wooden frame are visible look more graceful. Varnish the wood regularly so that it stays looking good for a long time and doesn’t dry out so quickly.

Tip: Stools made from FSC-certified wood come from certified forestry operations and are environmentally friendly.

Rattan: rustic and easy to care for

Woven rattan stools are very comfortable, although quite rustic. Artificial versions made of polyrattan look very similar to real rattan, but are much easier to care for and are resistant to moisture. Since they are often UV-protected, they do not fade so quickly, even outside on the balcony.

Metal: elegant and shiny

Stools with a metal frame are scratch-resistant and can bear heavy weights. Shiny models made of aluminum or stainless steel look elegant and can be combined well with other furniture. With colorful seat cushions you can give your stool an individual look and make the seat warmer at the same time.

Tip: The weight you can put on metal stools can be found in the manufacturer’s information about the product.

Leather: smooth and noble

If you like it classy, stool covers made of real leather are a good choice. They are breathable and durable and adapt to your body temperature. Covers made of cheaper artificial leather are similarly supple and can be easily wiped down and kept clean.

Tip: Real leather needs to be polished with leather cream every now and then to stay supple.

Fabric: fine and soft

Fabric covers are ideal for families with children or animals, as they are pleasantly soft and can be easily vacuumed. Microfiber versions are woven so finely that mites cannot nest in them, which means you can breathe a sigh of relief if you are allergic to dust mites . As a visual plus, the fabrics are available in many colors and patterns.

From modern to antique: which stool suits you?

There are many stools, but which model harmonizes with your interior? To make your decision easier, you will find three inspiring living ideas here.

Modern style: functional and elegant

A modern living room combines a straight, elegant design with practical functions. If you have a recliner on wheels, you can add a swivel stool. To match the armchair, choose a leather model in anthracite with a height-adjustable base made of chrome-plated metal.

Country house style: down-to-earth and cozy

Are you a fan of the down-to-earth country house style and would you like to add a comfortable stool to your home? You can use a floral fabric stool as a shoe bench in the hallway or you can place a small polyrattan stool next to the window in the living room. Drape your favorite houseplants on it so you can see them at eye level from the sofa.

Vintage style: eye-catching and romantic

As a fan of antique vintage furniture, would you like something a little more eye-catching? In your romantically decorated bedroom with a four-poster bed and lace curtains, you can set up a pouf as a stool in front of your baroque dressing table. Quilted and with buttoned diamonds in a Chesterfield look, the rounded upholstered furniture underlines your nostalgic living flair.

Conclusion: Stools can be used flexibly

Despite their name, stools are not just for sitting on. The following summary shows you which models are available and how you can use the stools flexibly in your home:

• Especially in the dining room, stools serve as spontaneous seating and loosen up your dining group. Make sure that there is a gap of 30 cm between the stool and the table top.
• Alternatively, the stools can be used as a ladder, bedside table, side table or footrest , although the stool should not be higher than your sofa or armchair. Models with a lid can also be used as storage space, for example as a toy chest in the children’s room.
• Wooden stools look particularly natural, while rattan stools look more rustic and comfortable. Metal versions are very stable and have an elegant shine.
• Stools with covers are even more individual and comfortable. Soft fabric covers made of microfiber are ideal for allergy sufferers and families with children and animals. Smooth leather upholstery is a classy alternative.