JOEL BLACK VELVET BAR STOOL

Bought these right after repainting the house.

Honestly, I couldn't take another evening of our cheap flat-pack stools wobbling every time someone sat down at the kitchen counter, so we finally decided to spend a bit more on these Joel stools. The difference in build quality was obvious the second I unboxed them. The tapered metal legs sit completely flat with zero creaking, and the black velvet padding has substantial cushion rather than sinking straight to the base like our old ones did.

Honestly, I couldn't take looking at the tacky, squeaky chrome-and-vinyl stools my landlord left in the apartment for another minute, so I took matters into my own hands and ordered a pair of these Joel stools. The black velvet is actually super soft with plenty of cushion to sit comfortably through morning coffee or a quick work session, and the black tapered legs are rock-solid with zero wobble. Since they're backless, they tuck completely under the island counter and keep my tight rental kitchen from looking cluttered. They completely transformed the room from feeling like a cheap furnished rental to something I actually enjoy coming home to, and I am definitely taking them with me when my lease is up.

Honestly, they tuck right under my new apartment counter without taking up valuable floor space, though the black velvet does catch a bit of lint.

After my last set of cheap stools wobbly-failed on us, I decided to spend a bit more on these black velvet ones. The legs are sturdy, the cushions are actually soft, and they don't feel cheap at all. Definitely a step up from the budget garbage we had before.