A standard office chair does not work at a standing-height desk, a drafting table or a lab bench. The seat bottoms out too low, feet dangle, and people end up perched on the edge. Used adjustable stools fix that at a fraction of what new seating costs, and pre-owned pieces that are already in stock can be ready far sooner than a factory order.
This page covers the main stool types, how to size them, what each condition grade means for stools specifically, and what to inspect before you buy.
Types of adjustable stools
"Stool" covers a wide range of seating. Knowing which type you need narrows the search quickly.
| Type | Typical features | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting stool | Upholstered seat and back, tall gas cylinder, foot ring, casters or glides | Standing desks, design studios, reception counters, tall collaboration tables |
| Lab stool | Wipeable seat, often backless or low back, foot ring, usually glides | Labs, clinics, workshops, classrooms with high benches |
| Saddle or sit-stand stool | Contoured or tilting seat that supports a perched posture | People who alternate between standing and leaning |
| Task chair with drafting kit | Regular task chair converted with a longer cylinder and ring | Matching seating across mixed-height areas |
If you already use a particular task chair model at your desks, ask whether a drafting version is available. Matching seating makes an office look deliberate, and it is easy to shop alongside our pre-owned office chairs.
How to size a stool to your work surface
Most stool returns and complaints come down to height. Follow these steps before you choose one:
- Measure the work surface height from the floor to the top of the desk, counter or bench.
- Subtract about 10 to 12 inches to get a comfortable starting seat height. Adjust for your team: taller people often prefer a bit more room.
- Check the stool's full range. Your target should sit near the middle of the range so each user can go up or down.
- Confirm a foot ring. At counter and standing heights, feet need a place to rest. Without one, circulation and posture suffer.
- Check for obstructions. Drawers, keyboard trays and under-counter storage can block knees at raised seat heights.
What condition grades mean for stools
Every pre-owned piece we sell is graded A, B or C. On stools, the grade tells you mostly about the seat, the base and the cylinder.
- Grade A, like new. Upholstery and base show minimal to no visible wear. A good fit for client-facing counters and showroom-style spaces.
- Grade B, very good. Light signs of use such as minor scuffs on the base or foot ring. Fully functional and a strong everyday choice.
- Grade C, good. Visible wear consistent with prior use, but structurally sound and working. The value pick for labs, workshops and training rooms where stools take a beating anyway.
Grade by room, not by order. You can put Grade A stools at a front counter and Grade C stools in a back-room lab without paying Grade A prices across the board.
Inspection checklist for used adjustable stools
Whether you inspect in person or review photos, check these points:
- The cylinder raises and lowers smoothly and holds height with weight on the seat.
- The stool does not slowly sink during a few minutes of sitting.
- The foot ring is tight, adjusts if designed to, and does not slip under a standing load.
- The base has no cracks, and all casters or glides are present and matching.
- The seat and back controls lock and release as intended.
- Upholstery has no tears at the front edge, where wear shows first on stools.
- For labs and clinics, the seat surface is non-porous and can handle your cleaning routine.
Lead times and pricing
Stool pricing depends on brand, type and grade, so we quote based on what is in inventory. Timing follows the same tiers as the rest of our furniture:
| Tier | Typical lead time |
|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade, in stock | As little as 72 hours |
| Remanufactured | Usually 7 to 14 days |
| New | 4 to 6 weeks |
Delivery in Greater Phoenix is $195 in the central zone or $295 in the metro. Freight elsewhere nationwide is quoted per project. Stools are a good add-on to a larger delivery, since they ride along with desks or workstations at no extra trip.
Office Station sells pre-owned designer seating as an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer. Brands we source include Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant, though which stool models are available changes as inventory turns over. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned pieces.
Pairing stools with the rest of the space
Stools usually show up because something else in the office changed: a new standing-height collaboration table, a lab build-out, or open workstations with a high counter at the end of a row. If you are planning that kind of layout, look at used cubicles and the wider pre-owned office furniture catalog so the seating and surfaces are planned together. Space planning is free.
Replacing old seating at the same time? If the project is large enough, our office furniture liquidation service can make a written net offer on the furniture you are removing.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a drafting stool and a lab stool?
A drafting stool is usually an upholstered task chair with a tall cylinder and a foot ring, built for long sessions at a raised work surface. A lab stool is typically simpler, often backless or low-backed, with a wipeable seat that stands up to spills and cleaning products. Both adjust in height, but they are built for different environments.
How do I know what stool height I need?
Measure from the floor to the top of the work surface. A common starting point is to leave roughly 10 to 12 inches between the seat and the underside of your forearms at the surface. Choose a stool whose adjustment range puts that target height near the middle, not the very top, of its range.
How quickly can I get a used adjustable stool?
In-stock liquidation-grade pieces can be ready in as little as 72 hours. Remanufactured furniture usually takes 7 to 14 days, and new furniture runs 4 to 6 weeks. Delivery in Greater Phoenix is $195 central or $295 metro, and freight elsewhere is quoted per project.
Do used stools come with a warranty?
Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer, so we grade each piece as A, B or C and describe its condition before you buy.
Can I order stools with workstations or benching?
Yes. Many offices add stools for standing-height desks, collaboration counters or a lab bench at the same time they order workstations. Combining items in one order means one delivery and one install schedule, and larger workstation orders qualify for volume pricing.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
