If you’re redoing your kitchen in a Zen minimalist design there are two or three routs you can take to give it an authentic look and feel. The most austere and chic way is to get the traditional Zen wooden bar stools which are not what you may think. These are very basic stools that are traditionally low for drinking tea, but may be found in tall designs suited to fit under a kitchen counter crafted after the sushi bar stools. These usually have no padding and are not decorative. They are plain pine or hardwood, sometimes dark lacquered or varnished in black or white. The most traditional ones are saddle stools. Saddle stools have a curved seat with the edges slightly winged upwards.

Wood with Rush Seats

The next design you may not expect is another traditional Japanese Zen style but it has a rush or rattan seat over a wooden stool. Again, very basic. Zen stools are not at all plush or padded, they are intended to be totally minimalist. Cheap versions are made by Powell Furniture and Home Styles. But, if you want a cheap Zen look you can also choose almost any square style wooden stool and set them around a counter that’s plain and clean-lined, and create a crisp Japanese feel. The key is to keep it square or rectangular, crisp and padding free, dark or light woods and make sure there re no fancy turned legs or scrolled accents. Everything should be square or angular.

Tall Rattan Counter Stools

There is another a Japanese country look, that’s more comfy than the austere Zen wooden bar stools and is used in Asian villages. It’s the rattan counter bar stools idea, that isn’t about large rounded basket-style stools with padded seats, but tall rattan stools without backs that are all natural but still square and streamline. These types of stools sell for between $40 and $200 depending on how well they are treated. If you want them weather proofed they will be more expensive, that is only necessary if you plan to set them outside. In the kitchen, go for the more affordable styles.

Keep IT Simple

Remember whether you choose the Zen wooden bar stools or the tall Japanese style rattan counter bar stools for your kitchen, if you want Asian minimalist keep it simple. If you must have padding, choose thin foam cushions covered with white or natural bamboo fabric and stay clear of busy motifs.