Is the stool comfortable for sitting at a counter for extended periods?

The stool has a solid wood seat without padding, so it may not be comfortable for extended sitting. Adding a cushion could improve comfort for prolonged use.

What is the exact weight of the stool?

The stool weighs approximately 4 kg (8.8 lbs), based on product specifications from a retailer.

Hübsch

Always Natural Stool

CA$248.00CAD

In Stock

The Always Natural Stool is a round wooden stool from Danish brand Hübsch, designed with a circular seat and four sculptural legs. It serves as extra seating, a bedside table, or a plant stand, and stacks for easy storage. Made from MDF with responsibly sourced oak veneer and oak wood, it measures 42 cm in diameter and 45 cm in height, supports up to 120 kg, and requires assembly.

Color: Natural Oak
Material: MDF with oak veneer and oak wood
Category: Furniture > Chairs > Table & Bar Stools

Color

Taupe

Size

16.5"

View on merchant site JSON

Specifications

A minimalist Scandinavian stool made from MDF and oak, with a circular seat and four sculptural legs, designed for versatile use as a seat, side table, or plant holder.

Stackable, multi-purpose, solid wood construction

Color: Natural Oak · brown
Material: MDF with oak veneer and oak wood
Secondary: wood
Gender: unisex
Age Group: adult
Condition: new
Dimensions: 16.5x16.5x17.75 in
Category: Furniture > Chairs > Table & Bar Stools

Additional Attributes

circular seat
four sculptural legs
minimalist Scandinavian design
stacks easily
multi-use: seat, side table, plant holder
MDF with oak veneer and oak wood
assembly required
responsibly sourced oak

Product Insights

The Hübsch Always Natural Stool is a versatile, stackable stool crafted from FSC-certified wood, supporting up to 120 kg. Its compact 42 cm circular seat and sculptural oak legs offer a lighter Scandinavian silhouette, but the solid wood seat is firm and uncomfortable for extended sitting without a cushion. Ideal as a footrest, plant stand, or low side table, it stacks vertically for space-saving storage but requires coasters and felt pads to protect the thin oak veneer, which cannot be sanded out if scratched. At 248 CAD, it provides a robust, portable solution for tight spaces, trading off seating comfort for multiuse functionality.

Verified claims

Use cases: Best as footrest, plant stand, or low side table, not a counter stool.
Seating comfort: Solid wood seat is firm; cushion needed for sitting more than a few minutes.
Stacking: Stacks vertically, storing multiple stools in the footprint of one.
Care: Oak veneer on MDF and solid oak legs require coasters; scratches cannot be sanded out.
Weight: Supports up to 120 kg, robust for everyday adult use.
Design silhouette: Circular seat and sculptural legs create a lighter Scandinavian silhouette than the Ground stool's split seat.
Dimensions: 42 cm circular seat vs Ground's 50x30 cm, and 3 cm lower.
Load capacity: Rated for 120 kg, matching the Ground stool's capacity.
Stackability: Stacks vertically for space-saving storage.
Robustness: Holds 120 kg (30:1 ratio) and resists tipping.
Sitting comfort: Extended sitting is uncomfortable on the 42 cm solid wood seat; a cushion improves comfort.
Portability: Lightweight 4 kg stool supports 120 kg, stacks flat, and fits tight spaces.
Multiuse: Versatile 42 cm height suits use as a stool, side table, plant stand, or nightstand.
FSC certification: Crafted from FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests.
Maintenance: Protect the thin oak veneer with coasters and felt pads; it resists scratching but cannot be refinished.
Stackable: Stools stack vertically to save floor space and reduce packaging volume.

Product record

Title: Always Natural Stool
Brand: Hübsch
Price: 248 CAD
Availability: In stock

Deep Research

What the 17-inch height is actually good for

The brand’s own specification sheet lists the Always stool at ø45 × H42 cm with a seat height of 42 cm — not the 45 cm shown on some retailer pages — which at 16.5 inches is well below the 24–26 inch seat height needed for a standard kitchen counter, definitively marking it as a low occasional seat rather than a counter‑height stool.
With a net weight of only 4 kg but a 120 kg load rating, the stool achieves a 30:1 weight‑to‑capacity ratio — the solid oak legs and MDF seat core provide enough support for a seated adult while keeping the stool easy to lift and rearrange one‑handed.
Though sold under a 'counter stools' category, the 42 cm seat height is actually lower than a standard dining chair (45–48 cm), so it functions as a low side table, footrest, or plant stand — anyone expecting to use it at a kitchen island needs to look for a stool with a 60–65 cm seat.
The 45 cm diameter is nearly equal to the stool’s 42 cm height, giving it a squat, stable footprint that resists tipping even under an off‑center load, while also providing enough surface area to serve as a plant stand or a generous seat for an adult.
At 42 cm, the stool is about 20 cm shorter than a conventional nightstand (typically 60–70 cm), so it reads as a bedside table only next to a low platform bed where the mattress sits at or below that level — a common configuration in Scandinavian bedrooms and a detail that prevents it from looking undersized beside taller bed frames.

How the Always stool compares to similar options

Despite the price difference, both the Always and the Ground Stool are rated for a maximum seat load of 120 kg, so the Always does not sacrifice structural robustness to hit its lower price point.
At 42 cm, the Always sits 3 cm lower than the 45 cm Ground Stool, positioning it more as a footrest or occasional perch than a full-height counter stool, while still clearing typical chair-rails and fitting under standard tables.
With a compact 45 cm diameter circular footprint, the Always takes up less visual and floor space than the 50 x 30 cm rectangular Ground, making it the better choice for narrow hallways or as a slender nightstand where a boxy stool would feel oversized.
Where the Ground Stool adopts a traditional rectangular seat split into two sections, the Always features a fully circular seat atop four sculptural legs, projecting a lighter, more contemporary Scandinavian profile that doubles as a plant stand or bedside accent piece without looking blocky.

Stacking and storing the Always stool

Because the stool stacks vertically, the floor space a stack occupies is defined by the base stool's 45 cm diameter seat — a vertical stack of stools still consumes the same square of floor area as a single unit.

How the MDF and oak veneer hold up over time

Despite the MDF core, the Always stool is rated to support up to 120 kg — a capacity that puts it on par with many solid-wood stools — indicating that the oak legs and seat construction are robust enough for confident everyday use by most adults.
The oak veneer on the Always stool is genuine oak wood, not a printed laminate, so it exhibits the same natural grain variation and warmth as solid oak; the surface simply layers a thin slice of real wood over a more dimensionally stable MDF core, which is why it resists the seasonal swelling and shrinking that can crack solid wood.
When stacking multiple stools, the legs of one will rest on the seat of another; attaching felt or rubber pads to the leg ends — a standard maintenance step for veneered furniture — shields the thin oak veneer from scratches and chips that stacking friction can cause, making it safe to store them compactly.
Hübsch’s explicit direction to always use coasters on this stool directly addresses the MDF core’s vulnerability to moisture: water that seeps through the oak veneer can cause the substrate to swell and warp, so any wet glass or spill must be quickly mopped up to keep the seat flat and blemish-free.
The seat’s oak veneer is a thin slice of real wood — on furniture like this it’s typically between 0.3mm and 2.5mm thick — which means it cannot be aggressively sanded and refinished like a solid-wood top; minor scratches can be filled with colour-matched wax, but deep gouges that expose the MDF core require patching rather than sanding, so protecting the surface from sharp objects preserves its appearance long-term.

Image Analysis

3 images

01: Product
Round wooden stool with a thin circular seat and four straight rectangular wooden legs that extend past the seat plane where they slot into its edge; visible surface is light natural finished wood with visible grain.
Seat shapeCircular, thin wooden seat with visible radial wood grain and a slightly chamfered edge.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.28 · w 0.38 · h 0.25 (high)
Leg constructionFour straight rectangular wooden legs with squared edges; each leg appears to slot into a notch at the seat rim so the top of the leg extends slightly above the seat plane at the joint.
3 regions
x 0.60 · y 0.36 · w 0.22 · h 0.40 (high); x 0.46 · y 0.46 · w 0.14 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.72 · y 0.58 · w 0.12 · h 0.30 (medium)
Material and finishLight natural wood with a clear finish showing pronounced straight grain on legs and circular grain on the seat top.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.28 · w 0.46 · h 0.66 (high)
Visible join detailNotched joint where legs meet seat rim; notch exposes the leg top as a vertical rectangular block against the round seat edge.
1 region
x 0.72 · y 0.29 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high)
Packaging
Small rectangular matchbox-style package sitting on the table surface; visible top panel with printed words and a central emblem.
Top panel text 1“BEE'S KNEES”
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.07 · w 0.20 · h 0.09 (high)
Top panel text 2“LUXURY MATCHES”
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.13 · w 0.20 · h 0.06 (high)
Package appearanceSmall rectangular box with a decorative label featuring a central circular emblem and a red-brown background on the top panel.
1 region
x 0.11 · y 0.06 · w 0.24 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Lifestyle scene showing the stool placed under a wooden tabletop on a terrazzo floor, with a blue cabinet panelled background and soft studio lighting creating gentle shadows.
TabletopRectangular wooden tabletop with visible grain and a squared edges occupying the upper-left portion of the image; an object stack rests on it.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.04 · w 0.60 · h 0.22 (high)
Surface prop stackStack of flat white and pink papers with a small decorative box on top, placed near the tabletop inner corner.
1 region
x 0.11 · y 0.07 · w 0.24 · h 0.12 (high)
FloorPolished terrazzo floor with small aggregate flecks in neutral tones visible beneath and around the stool.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.30 · w 0.96 · h 0.68 (high)
Background cabinetryBlue flat-panel cabinet doors with a narrow reddish-brown baseboard visible along the back wall.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.00 · w 0.44 · h 0.20 (high)
Lighting and shadowsSoft, diffuse lighting from the upper-left producing gentle shadows under the table and stool legs and subtle highlights on the seat surface.
Colors
light natural oak· seat and legs#E3BB7Dred-brown· top panelPackaging#85532B
02: Product
Light natural-finish wooden stool seen from a high front-right angle; two round seat surfaces and four straight rectangular legs are visible with visible wood grain and tight joinery where legs meet seat rings.
Seat topsTwo circular wooden seat tops visible one stacked above the other; top seat has a flush rounded edge and visible straight wood grain running roughly left-right in image.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.41 · w 0.29 · h 0.17 (high)
LegsFour straight rectangular wooden legs extend downward from the seat assembly; legs have squared outer faces and slightly chamfered inner edges where they meet the seat ring.
2 regions
x 0.32 · y 0.49 · w 0.14 · h 0.41 (high); x 0.49 · y 0.52 · w 0.13 · h 0.41 (high)
Under-seat ringA circular under-seat ring or secondary round shelf is visible beneath the top seat, aligned concentrically and connected to the legs by vertical joint blocks.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.48 · w 0.24 · h 0.13 (high)
Wood grain and finishLight natural wood with a smooth satin finish and visible straight grain pattern across seats and legs, no visible paint or upholstery.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.41 · w 0.28 · h 0.56 (high)
Joinery blocksShort vertical blocks at the seat perimeter where each leg meets the seat edge, forming a visible mechanical joint detail.
2 regions
x 0.41 · y 0.45 · w 0.06 · h 0.07 (medium); x 0.46 · y 0.45 · w 0.06 · h 0.07 (medium)
Other
Studio scene with brick wall background and tiled floor; strong directional sunlight casts long shadows from the stool and window muntins.
Background wallExposed red brick wall with mortar lines running horizontally, occupying the upper half of the image behind the stool.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.02 · w 0.90 · h 0.45 (high)
FlooringLarge square stone or concrete floor tiles with visible grout lines and textured surface beneath the stool.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.47 · w 0.96 · h 0.51 (high)
Lighting and shadowsStrong warm directional sunlight from upper left creates long sharp shadows of the stool and window frames stretching to the lower right.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high)
Shot compositionHigh-angle three-quarter view of the stool positioned slightly left of center, image cropped to include full stool and surrounding shadows.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.20 · w 0.64 · h 0.70 (high)
Colors
light natural oak· seat tops#D4AA6Blight natural oak· legs#B39364
03: Product
Close-up of a round wooden seat edge and an attached rectangular wooden leg showing grain, edge profile, and joint detail.
Seat top surfacePartial circular seat top visible from above with straight horizontal wood grain lines and a flat, slightly rounded edge profile.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.00 · w 0.64 · h 0.86 (high)
Seat edge profileRounded outer rim of the seat with visible endgrain layer on the vertical edge, showing continuity of grain from top to side.
1 region
x 0.60 · y 0.46 · w 0.36 · h 0.28 (high)
Leg geometryRectangular tapered leg with straight vertical faces and a slightly chamfered or rounded top corner where it meets the seat.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.12 · w 0.25 · h 0.80 (high)
Leg top endgrainTop of the leg shows endgrain with cross-cut growth ring pattern contrasting with the vertical side grain.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.04 · w 0.19 · h 0.12 (high)
Leg-to-seat jointSmall squared tenon or spacer piece between the leg and seat visible at the joint, flush with the seat underside.
1 region
x 0.26 · y 0.28 · w 0.07 · h 0.12 (medium)
Other
Studio white background close-up with even lighting and minimal shadows; image tightly cropped to show seat edge and one leg.
Background and compositionPlain uniform white background occupying negative space around the product; framing is a tight crop focusing on the right portion of the seat and left leg.
LightingSoft, even studio lighting with subtle diffuse shadow along the inner curve of the seat and a faint shadow cast by the leg onto the background.
Image qualityHigh-resolution close-up with visible wood texture and fine grain detail; no visible motion blur.
Colors
light natural oak· seat top surface#DBBA8Dwarm oak edge· seat edge (vertical side)#CA9C75medium oak· leg faces#CA9A6Ddark oak endgrain· leg top endgrain

Documents & Data

Q&A

2 answered

Is the stool comfortable for sitting at a counter for extended periods?: The stool has a solid wood seat without padding, so it may not be comfortable for extended sitting. Adding a cushion could improve comfort for prolonged use.
What is the exact weight of the stool?: The stool weighs approximately 4 kg (8.8 lbs), based on product specifications from a retailer [1].

Provenance

Merchant Link: https://www.simons.ca/en/furniture/chairs-stools/counter-stools/always-natural-stool--21563-25313011?colourId=0
Updated: July 31, 2026