I’m at a point in my life where I’m team stools over chairs, and I truly believe stools deserve to be given way more credit than they get. Stools are often overlooked, maybe because they occupy minimum space, and aren’t overbearing. But these traits are what make stools so great in my opinion! I mean, they’re compact, and a great space-saving furniture option for our modern homes. They are also super portable. And, we’ve put together a collection of stool designs that not only provide a healthy seating experience while promoting a good and stable posture but most of them are created from sustainable materials as well. From a minimal stackable stool with slim wooden legs to a portable stool made from electronic waste packaging – these well-designed stools are the furniture pieces you need to add to your home.
1. Drum Stool
Called the Drum Stool, this minimal, stackable, and sustainable stool looks like an adorable little wine cork at first glance! But as you dig deeper, you realize it has much more to offer.
Why is it noteworthy?
Teixeira picked materials such as cork and wood to build the stool, instantly rating it high on sustainability. Cork was used to create the seat, while wood was the leg material.
What we like
- The stool features a round trimmed surface that offers it a fun and playful shape
- The trimmed seat is paired up with slim wooden legs, creating a cohesive and harmonious furniture piece
What we dislike
- We’re not sure how comfy the trimmed cork seat would be to sit on for longer durations of time
2. EDGAR Stool
Dubbed the EDGAR stool, this concept for a portable stool is designed to be something functional while also using a minimum amount of resources in terms of the material used for it, the energy required to create it, and the cost of making it.
Why is it noteworthy?
What makes this stool super cool is that they only spent $0.29 in making the prototype of these stools! The stool is low-cost since it is made from waste from the packaging of electronic appliances and adhesives. It handles one of the biggest waste issues!
What we like
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
What we dislike
- Doesn’t seem like the best option if you have a pretty round derriere
3. Stump Recycled Stool
Derlot designed the original Stump stool a while ago, and now they’ve unveiled their latest Stump Recycled which features the same basic structure of the stool but is made from 80% recycled post-industrial plastic LPDE.
Why is it noteworthy?
The new Stump stool features a different design, as the patterns form a terrazzo-like design that offers the stool a textured and colored look. You can pick stools with a kaleidoscope-like finish, which provides a fresh interpretation of how recycled materials can be used to elevate a design.
What we like
- Provides a new take on how recycled materials can be used
What we dislike
- Not sure how long you can sit on the stool, since it’s quite small and doesn’t look too comfy
4. The +52 Stool
After extensive research on the current timber designs and manufacturing, Studio Plastique converted all this knowledge into a unique wooden step stool called the +52 stool.
Why is it noteworthy?
This stool isn’t just furniture, it was designed to be a ‘scenario’, which represents the potential of undervalued wood types as sustainable alternatives to typical wood types. It is produced using a variety of non-commercial woods such as elm, koto, willow, acacia, and birch which changes the weight, color, and texture of the stool.
What we like
- Designed to tackle the complete lack of awareness surrounding lesser-known wood species that aren’t used in the design world
What we dislike
- Has a raw and rustic look, which isn’t preferred by everyone
5. S1 Stool
Designed by Australian designer Alexander Lotersztain for the furniture brand Derlot, the minimalist and simple S1 stool doubles up as a handy side table!
Why is it noteworthy?
The stool/side table has a simple form that is inspired by an I-beam, which is a structural member with an I-shaped cross-section. The S1 stool is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, owing to its versatile form and universal design.
What we like
- Available in three heights to maximize its versatility
What we dislike
- Aesthetics are simple and unassuming
6. Arc Stool
Called the Arc Stool, this furniture design is simple and thoughtfully designed to add a plethora of elegance and personality to your home.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Arc Stool is designed to elevate and upgrade the mundane stool, and it is a signature piece of the inaugural collection by US Studio Juntos. It attempts to add a much-needed flair to the simple stool design.
What we like
- Features a dipped surface that provides comfort to the user
- Portable and easy-to-move design
What we dislike
- No options for customization or personalization
7. Superpop Tables
Dubbed the Superpop tables, these colorful tables feature terrazzo-like surfaces that have been made from recycled plastic. They were designed by Paolo Cappello for Miniforms.
Why is it noteworthy?
The tables are super versatile, and what’s even more interesting is that they can be used as coffee tables, side tables, or even stools! They are sustainable, versatile, lightweight, and fun.
What we like
- Versatile functionality with a universal appeal
- Brings a fun and festive atmosphere wherever they are placed
What we dislike
- Could be difficult to match them with the interior styles of different homes
8. Balanco Stools
Designed during the pandemic, the Balanco stools are inspired by rocks and boulders, and they’re meant for adults and kids to play and engage with.
Why is it noteworthy?
The idea for the Balanco stools came from the Japanese practice of stacking pebbles to create towers. Traditionally, the pebbles mostly consist of rounded forms, designers Lisa Lai and Joel Wong decided that chiseled rock-like shapes would create more visual dynamism while offering a variety of flat surfaces that are ideal for stacking and layering.
What we like
- Extremely light
- Inspired by rocks and boulders
What we dislike
- Made from felt, there is a higher chance of staining this design
9. The Tie Stool
Dubbed the Tie Stool, this stunning stool is made from three bent plywood that effortlessly locks into one another, creating a unique tripod form that is quite comfy to sit on. It is a simple stool made using minimal materials making the stool quite a beauty.
Why is it noteworthy?
The three plywood strips can be split into 6 total parts, forming individual parts that are built using high pressure, causing the plywood to bend and retain its shape. The cutting processes are performed on the parts allowing them to interlock into one another.
What we like
- Flat-packed and shipped to customers
- Features a stackable form
What we dislike
- Its compressed design means it needs a tabletop to add more space on the stool
10. The Rook Stool
Named the Rook Stool, this unique stool is inspired by chess pieces. It is available in three types of solid wood and has an intriguing similarity to the pieces you find on a chess board.
Why is it noteworthy?
The designer drew references from the shapes of decorative wooden chess pieces for the Rook Stool. The stool utilizes simple elements that have been placed at unusual but intriguing angles and intersections to create a sculptural appeal.
What we like
- Available in three kinds of wood, so you can choose
What we dislike
- Doesn’t look too comfy to sit on for long durations of time
