About a thousand years ago (or so it felt), I typed “step stools that aren’t ugly” into Google and, unsurprisingly, mostly found ugly step stools. I needed one for our closet to reach the top shelves, so I went down the rabbit hole: many searches, a handful of great tips from readers, and lots of comparison shopping. I boiled it down to 12 step stools that actually look good and work well. They cover a range of budgets—from around $20 up to $400—and many come in multiple colors. Here’s what I found; hopefully one catches your eye.
1. Double Wooden Stool, $69 | 2. Yellow Child’s Stool, $20 | 3. White 2-Step Stool, $20
4. Pink Steel Stool, $20 | 5. Pivot Adjustable Stool, $69 | 6. Teal Step Stool, $25
7. Metal Stacking Stool, $59 | 8. Orange One-Step Stool, $90 | 9. Teak Step Stool, $128
10. Birch Step Stool, $20 | 11. Square Steel Stool, $59 | 12. Fiberglass Stool, $435
From the photo above, I chose #4—the blush/pink steel stool. Shocker, I know. #11 was a close second, and #10 is a perfect candidate for a DIY project if you like customizing finishes. Each of these options has its strengths: lightweight metal for easy moving, wooden stools that add warmth, stackable pieces for small spaces, and a few iconic or sculptural picks if you want the stool to make a statement.
If you’re shopping, consider these quick tips: think about where you’ll store the stool (stackable or foldable styles save space), how much weight capacity you need, and whether you want something playful in color or more neutral to blend with your decor. Height matters too—measure the top shelf you need to reach and pick a stool that gives you confident access without overstretching.
Do you have favorites from the list or other non-ugly step stools you love? I’m always collecting recommendations!