John insisted I work “Stool Boom” into the post title because of this video (he wants you to hum the tune while you read). Anyway—stool news: we found stools for our peninsula, and we’re thrilled both by where we found them and by the price. Four stools can be a budget-buster if they’re $250 each, so this felt like a win. But first, a quick note on the kitchen budget overall…
We’ve invested in a few big-ticket items:
- new Corian countertops (about $1,700)
- stainless appliances (around $2,213, including the new microwave, not including a range hood yet)
- cork flooring (about $848, including underlayment)
- backsplash tile taken to the ceiling on one wall (roughly $280)
- removing a wall to create an extra-wide doorway into the dining room ($700 contractor plus $90 for drywall and trim we did ourselves)
- current total for major items: $5,831 (we still need a range hood, lighting, floating shelves, art, etc.)
Like many renovators, we saved in other areas:
- reused existing solid oak cabinets (they’re in great shape and already have interior upgrades)
- reconfigured the layout ourselves (we enjoyed moving the pantry and building a cabinet to enclose the fridge)
- primed and painted the cabinets ourselves (we’ve done it before and like the result)
- plan to install cork flooring and some lighting ourselves
- used discounts and coupons—stacked savings on appliances and counters, found clearance cork, applied a promo on tile, and obtained three contractor estimates to save over $3,000 off the highest bid
- sold unneeded items on Craigslist—our old table, granite, and microwave brought in $815 to reinvest in the remodel
We still need to install the backsplash, lay the cork flooring, hang lighting, and add floating shelves and a range hood. Right now the project looks more expensive than it feels, because many purchases aren’t yet in place. In a month or two the kitchen should read much more finished.
Back to stools. We briefly considered clear acrylic but read complaints about scratching and clouding, and options we liked were over $100 each. We studied a lot of inspiration rooms and realized we were gravitatively toward industrial metal stools. They contrast nicely with the wood legs in the adjacent dining room and keep the kitchen from feeling too heavy with wood tones.
Functionally, we wanted stools with backs so Clara’s booster seat can attach, older kids can sit comfortably, and adults have some support. That ruled out a lot of sleek backless designs. We admired many cool science-y stools online (including some from Restoration Hardware), but $375 each for four was out of the question.
So we hunted for thrifty or secondhand alternatives and even found a vintage counter-height stool at a local thrift shop for $50—perfect height, but only one available. Then, surprisingly, we discovered an inexpensive option on a school supply website: lab-style stools suitable for counter height.
The product photos looked a bit utilitarian (the backrest is tall and adjustable in the catalog shot), and the plain white background doesn’t do them any favors. But these are sturdy lab stools, and in the right space they can feel intentionally industrial and modern. Best of all, they were $33 each for a fixed 24″ height. Including tax and shipping, four arrived at our door for about $168.
They pair nicely with the stainless appliances, and because they were such a bargain we’re open to tweaking them as the room comes together. Options we’re considering:
- spray-painting a deeper tone like oil-rubbed bronze and upholstering the seats in chocolate leather for a richer look
- painting them white and adding wipeable leather or vinyl seats to echo the countertops and create contrast with a darker peninsula treatment
- distressing and glazing them for a vintage, antique feel, then sealing with a clear poly to prevent rub-off
- giving them a high-shine chrome finish for a polished industrial look
We prefer to make some changes only after the rest of the room is in place. We tweak as we go—this house is a work in progress and much of the fun is figuring things out along the way. Right now we’re sanding, puttying, and preparing trim and baseboards so priming and painting are next.
Some readers might not love the stools yet (I hear you, Mom!), but once the new counters, backsplash, pendant lighting, and cork floors are installed, the stools should feel intentional. Our first house looked like this in the end, even if it was rough during the process—so patience pays off.
We like how the metal stools introduce variety and prevent the joined spaces from feeling too wood-heavy. Despite their airy appearance, these lab stools are solid, not wobbly—designed to withstand use in classrooms for years.
They’re comfortable for counter seating; the backrest has a bit of flex, and Clara’s booster snapped onto one of the stools without issue, so she sits safely and securely at the peninsula. Lately we’ve been doing a lot of eating and hanging out at that counter.
Here’s Clara and John making cookies at the new peninsula—she’s strapped in and happy to help stir. She even helped us assemble the stools, which was both adorable and helpful. Burger couldn’t resist a photobomb either.
Once we find the right pendant lights to hang over the peninsula, the space should feel much more finished. We’re leaning toward clear glass industrial globes but haven’t decided for sure yet.
A few readers asked whether we rounded the peninsula corners. Yes—we did. Here’s a top-down shot with a penny on the edge to show the soft curve. No sharp corners to worry about.
Have you ever found a great deal on chairs or stools from an unexpected source? Are you into mixing rough, industrial pieces with more polished elements? It’s not for everyone, but that contrast shows up in a lot of our favorite kitchens.
Psst—who else watched the Dexter finale last night? We won’t spoil anything, but wow—that was intense.