Stools are the seat people forget until the lab bench, reception counter or high-top collaboration table is already in place. Then someone discovers the task chairs sit eight inches too low. Buying used office stools is a practical way to fix that without paying new-furniture pricing for seating that often gets lighter daily use than a task chair.
Office Station sells pre-owned stools as an independent reseller. We grade each one for condition, match cylinder height to your surfaces and can combine stools with the rest of your furniture order.
Types of stools and where they work
Not every tall seat does the same job. Picking the right style matters more than the brand name on the base.
Drafting stools
Drafting stools are task chairs on a taller cylinder, usually with a foot ring and often with a backrest and arms. They are the right choice for people who sit at a counter or standing desk for hours: lab technicians, designers at tall tables, and reception staff behind a transaction counter.
Counter-height and bar-height stools
These are simpler seats built for short stays. You see them in break rooms, cafe counters and open collaboration zones where people perch for a quick meeting. Many sit on glides rather than casters so they stay put.
Perch and sit-stand stools
Perch stools let a person lean rather than fully sit. They work well next to height-adjustable desks and in huddle areas where you want people to stay loose and mobile.
Matching stools to the space
| Space | Typical surface height | Recommended style | What to specify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab or workbench | About 36 in | Drafting stool with foot ring | Wipeable seat, casters or glides for the floor type |
| Reception counter | About 36 to 42 in | Drafting stool with back | Adjustable foot ring, arms if staff sit all shift |
| Break room counter | About 36 in | Counter-height stool | Glides, easy-clean upholstery |
| High-top collaboration table | About 42 in | Bar-height stool or perch | Matching finishes across the set |
| Standing desk area | Varies | Perch or sit-stand stool | Wide height range |
The rule of thumb is roughly 10 to 12 inches of clearance between the top of the seat and the underside of the work surface. Measure your surfaces before you shop and you avoid the most common stool mistake.
How we grade pre-owned stools
Every stool is assigned one of three grades so you can decide where to spend and where to save.
- Grade A, like new. Minimal to no visible wear. A good fit for client-facing reception areas.
- Grade B, very good. Light cosmetic wear from normal office use. The usual choice for staff areas and collaboration zones.
- Grade C, good. Visible wear but fully functional. Sensible for labs, shops and back-of-house spaces where appearance is secondary.
We carry pre-owned seating from brands such as Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant, depending on what is available at the time.
What to check on a used stool
Stools see more cylinder travel than most chairs because people raise and drop them constantly. Whether you are inspecting in person or reviewing photos, look at these points:
- Cylinder hold. The seat should stay at height under full weight without sinking.
- Foot ring. Confirm it tightens firmly and does not slip down the column.
- Base and casters. Check for cracked base arms and casters or glides suited to your floor.
- Seat surface. Look for tears, seam splits or foam breakdown, especially on the front edge.
- Backrest and controls. Test tilt and height levers if the stool has them.
- Height range. Confirm the minimum and maximum seat height fit your surface.
Buying stools as part of a larger project
Stools rarely get ordered alone. They usually show up alongside a lab fit-out, a new reception area or a benching layout with a standing-height collaboration table at the end of each run. Bundling them into the same order keeps finishes consistent and puts everything on one delivery.
If you are furnishing a whole floor, browse pre-owned office furniture or look at used cubicles and workstations and add stools to the same request. Our space planning is free, so we can confirm heights and counts on the layout before anything ships.
In Greater Phoenix, delivery runs $195 for central zones and $295 for the wider metro. Everywhere else in the country, freight is quoted per project.
Have stools you no longer need?
If your company is downsizing or moving out, stools are part of the inventory we value during a liquidation. You receive a written net offer: the resale value of the furniture minus the cost to remove it. When that number is positive, you get paid. Walkthroughs typically happen within 48 hours in Greater Phoenix and 2 to 3 business days in our other markets, with offers delivered within 5 business days.
Learn how it works on our office furniture liquidation page, or explore other seating on pre-owned office chairs.
Estimate your liquidation offer
Questions about a specific height, finish or quantity? Email hello@officestation.com with your surface measurements and the number of seats you need.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a drafting stool and a counter stool?
A drafting stool has a pneumatic cylinder that raises the seat to counter or standing-desk height, usually with a foot ring and often with a backrest and casters. A counter stool is typically a fixed-height seat, sometimes on glides instead of wheels, built for cafe counters and bar-height tables. Drafting stools suit people who work at the surface all day, while counter stools suit short visits.
How do I know what height stool I need?
Measure from the floor to the top of the work surface. Standard counters run about 36 inches and bar-height tables about 42 inches, and you generally want roughly 10 to 12 inches between the seat and the underside of the surface. Share the surface height when you ask for a quote and we will match stools with the right cylinder range.
Do used stools come with a manufacturer warranty?
Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer for any brand, and manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. That is why every piece is condition graded A, B or C. Ask about the grade and any specific wear before you order.
Can you supply stools for a lab or cleanroom-adjacent space?
We can source pre-owned stools with wipeable vinyl or polyurethane seats and glides or casters to suit the floor. We do not certify stools for cleanroom, ESD or clinical compliance, so if your facility has a written standard, confirm the specification with your safety or facilities team before ordering.
Can I buy stools along with desks and workstations?
Yes. Many projects pair counter-height stools with benching, reception desks or standing-height tables. Combining pieces on one order also simplifies delivery, which is $195 central or $295 metro in Greater Phoenix and quoted per project elsewhere.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
