You should buy three. It won't look right otherwise.

I don't think the pendants should inform your decision at all. I'd only be concerned that the two stools might look too "small" in relation to the width of the opening between the legs on the island. How wide is it, and how wide is the back of the stool?

I like having 3 barstools. If you have guests, perhaps another couple, there are chairs for both of them and also one for your hubby, while you cook. (Or for you and the other couple while hubby cooks!) The space looks too large for just 2 stools to fill it.

I am thinking 3 also. 2 just seems like it won't fit in the area correctly. You can always return one. I had a counter like that once and had 3. It wasn't cramped

Thanks so much! Now that I think about it from the standpoint of having another couple over, it really does make sense to have three. If the space will easily accommodate three (and I think it will - just need to measure), we'll go that route.

Don't forget to factor in those island legs. You don't want to be hitting your legs on them. We have 3 pendants and two chairs on a 76" long bar. Although we could fit 3 stools I didn't see a reason to. We have an adjacent area with seating when guests are here. For the most part it's just the two of us.

Btw, we initially only had 2 pendants and I realized that looked strange. Added another. The barstools didn't factor into that decision.

I don't think the pendants and stool numbers need to match at all. However, having two stools will look strange in that space. That island looks similar in size to mine. We have three stools on the long end and could fit a fourth. Only two would look like something was missing.

Aesthetics aside, I agree to buy an extra stool for when you have guests! There are only two of us. We have four stools at the island. Every time we have guests, those four stools are being used. :)

Two is fine.

I have four somewhat narrow stools at our island. I had them from a previous home with a peninsula where we often ate as a family. There one was pulled around to the end of the counter when in use. Since we had them, that's what I used here. Though four adults would not be able to sit there comfortably and eat, they have been used while I'm cooking or during meal prep. I'm so glad I kept them all.

I had the same dilemma but 3 or 4; I bought 4. I keep 3 at the counter and store the 4th bringing it out when we have a party or extra guests.

Just a FYI: You'll need some sort of floor protection on the stool legs.

What mustangs said.....Can you tuck a third stool away and bring it out when you have company? That way you and DH won't be fighting with a third chair when you want to sit at the counter and will have plenty of room.

if you only will mostly just use, I think just 2 will look fine- the chairs will line up with the cabinet panels rather than the lights... :) how often do you just have one other couple over? it's usually either just us or more than just one other couple so, for us, it wouldn't matter too much when entertaining... and, it looks like you'll have a kitchen table right there too...

We're going to the house today to measure. We will have a dining table in the space to the right of the kitchen, so plenty of nearby seating for any group we might have over. I can see the benefits of two OR three stools (don't think we will want a fourth), so at this point measurements will dictate. Thanks for all your thoughts!

I'd do 3 low-profile stools. I think the stool you have pictured is very heavy looking.

how ever many stools you end up getting, I recommend you get stools that swivel!! :)

Also make sure you get counter height stools not bar height they are not the same thing.

If you go to the Ballard design website they have many lovely stools there and you can see the difference in size. I had three stools on my island at my old house and it was not a problem. We did not eat meals there just used for a quick bite. Even if you have a third stool it can always be used for extra seating should you have a lot of people.

I don't want low profile stools. DH is a big guy and he would hate them. While not Stickley mission oak (as is our dining set), these will blend well enough. These don't swivel, but I haven't seen anything that DOES that I like. I'll check the Ballard site, but I'm pretty sold on the ones I originally posted.

I like the ones you picked. The counter height are not low profile. They are made at the correct height for an island so the top of you legs do not bump up under against the top of the island. I am a big woman too and would find bar stools or chairs unacceptable. Many people buy bar stools for islands only to see they are too high and will cause your legs to bump up against the top.

I'd aim for 3 too. And can I just say how tickled I am about your new digs?!

I think two would be fine. I can't imagine that three people would be sitting at the island very often--it just wouldn't be comfortable conversationally. For those occasions where you need overflow seating, you can get a couple inexpensive folding counter stools that you could store in the garage or closet. I like the ones you picked. What are you planning for in the dining area?

I just ordered three. They'll fit nicely at the counter, and if we ever get tired of having all three out, we can just stash one away. Thanks for helping me think this through! Now ... back to packing boxes so we can get this move underway. :-)

Edited to add: Teeda, we'll use our mission oak dining set in the adjacent space. This isn't our set, but ours is very similar (except our end chairs are arm chairs). We also have a similar, slightly smaller (two door, not three) china cabinet that will go in this space as well.

That will be gorgeous in your new space!

I like three.

Boy did I miss a lot! What a beautiful place...not sure how I missed the "instead of" new build post. You did well, three stools will come in real handy with guests and you may even need a spare fold-up or two for gatherings. Everyone will most likely gather around the kitchen counter whether we like it or not.

Well, it's happened so quickly, jterrilynn! We canceled our build contract (the builder dragged his feet and did NOTHING on our project for four months!) and found this new place within the same week! It's been a whirlwind of activity, as we've gone from a process that was taking forever to a closing date less than a month from now on the new place. We feel like everything was just meant to be, though, in spite of the frustrating experience with the builder. I am thankful that even though our build contract stipulated that all funds we paid up front were non-refundable, they did return every last dime we'd paid them.

That's more than you ever wanted to know, I'm sure ... Suffice it to say we are giddy with excitement!

I'm thankful you took the time to fill me in. Thank you! Your new place looks amazing and I'm excited for you both.

This island I found on Hooked on Houses, reminded me of yours so I thought I'd share it to give you an idea of what three stools would look like. Though their backless, I thought it might help.

Thanks so much, justgotabme! I think three will look great -- it's nice to have a good visual!