When you are enjoying a meal in the kitchen with family, or having a lovely time with your friends at a bar, a wobbly stool can be a huge annoyance. It can be extremely uncomfortable when you find yourself unable to sit properly, unintentionally swaying from side to side with each wobble, so it is definitely worthwhile understanding how to fix your stool when this happens.

Repairing wobbly bar stools is simple and easy when you address the issue right away. A common reason is constant heavy usage over time, but this is one of many possible reasons. Understanding the actual reason is the first step to getting the job done.

Let’s explore a few common causes and their solutions to help you out for stable seating.

Identify the Cause

Identifying the exact reason for your wobbly stool could save you time, effort, and money. Before attempting to fix a wobbly stool, thoroughly examine your bar stool and the floor space to identify any obvious issues.

Here is a list of the most common causes:

• Uneven Floors
• Non-parallel Floor and Base of the Stool
• Loosened Screws or Bolts
• Wobbly Legs
• Worn-out Components
• Movement Between the Flat Base and Column
• Movement Between the Footrest and Gas Lift Column
• Movement Between the Domed Base and Column
• Movement Within a Wooden Frame
• Imbalance of the Seat and Frame

Let’s find the solutions for these causes.

Uneven Floors

This is a very common reason, especially in older homes with traditional slate or tile flooring. It often happens when there is a difference in the level of the floor or adjoining tiles. The texture of the floor could also form an uneven surface that would be more problematic for four-legged bar stools when compared to round or larger base bar stools.

The easiest and simplest way to get rid of this is to place a mat under the bar stool, or if you don’t have to worry about the bar counters or kitchen worktops, you can relocate them to an appropriate floor space. Another cost-effective way is to add a floor pad under the stool base where it sits on an uneven surface. However, the most obvious but most expensive option is to repair your floor tiles/boards, providing a longer-term solution without affecting your property’s interior.

Non-Parallel Floor And Base Of The Stool

If your floor and the base of the bar stool are not parallel, it may cause wobbling. Almost all bar stools have a protective rubber guard underneath the base or a felt pad, and sometimes this may come loose. Either push the rubber ring back into place or you can use a strong adhesive to stick the rubber ring and felt pads to prevent damage to your flooring and resolve the issue. If you miss having a rubber bush beneath, we advise you to place it on a mat to avoid wobbling and scratches on the floor.

Loosened Screws or Bolts

Examine whether the screws and bolts of the bar stool are secured and tightened. If not, tighten them with the Allen key provided or using a screwdriver. Pay close attention to the joints, legs, seat, footrest, and backrest, as these areas have more chance of loosening over time. If all the bolts are tight but the frame still wobbles, you will need to loosen each part, realign the frame and the seat, and tighten them evenly.

Unstable Legs

If you find your stool legs are the culprit, examine them closely by placing them upside down on a level surface and check whether any of the legs are shorter or longer than the others. Sometimes, the rubber guard beneath the legs may be missing which can cause this to happen; you can replace it with a new one without much trouble. Otherwise, insert small furniture pads beneath shorter legs until they are stabilised. Alternatively, you can sand down the longer legs to balance them out.

Worn-out Components

Another reason for your wobbly stool may be some worn-out components. Check the structural parts closely to find the signs of damage. Damaged parts need to be completely replaced with new ones to restore the stability of the bar stool.

Movement Between the Flat Base and Column

Most bar stools have inbuilt springs in them to allow easy movement when getting on and off the stool. This is normal, but if you feel it is unsteady, you need to check for excessive movements between the base of the stool and the central column. The flat base is connected to the central column with strong bolts, and by long-term usage, it may loosen. Simply tighten each bolt and screw, or you can use an allen key which is included with our stools. You can also use metal adhesives to fix the bolts, but this is a permanent solution so cannot be undone.

Movement Between the Footrest and Gas Lift Column

Gas lift stools have a plastic lining known as a bush that lines the column and the footrest to ensure smooth movement of the gas lift mechanism. This also prevents the metal inside the top and bottom of the column from hitting each other by keeping them in place. Without this rubber bush, the top part of the column will start to wobble. To fix this, you can use glue or silicone to fix it back in place while making sure excess glue does not restrict the movement of the stool. Without this rubber bush in position, the gas lift hydraulic column may move at any angle which will cause scratches inside the column, so it is better to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Movement Between the Domed Base and Column

If you have a domed base stool that has become wobbly, it may be because of the movement between the dome base and the central column. When the bar stool has extreme weight and high pressure, this may happen occasionally. The rocking force can lead them to break the welds and the column may move unnecessarily. Unfortunately, replacing the base or bar stool is the only way to fix the issue. But remember, this is an incredibly rare cause, and we have taken precautions to make supreme quality products to prevent this from happening.

Movement Within a Wooden Frame

A few of the stools require self-assembly, and sometimes, if it is not assembled properly, this may cause wobbling. Wooden stools that are assembled with bolts may loosen over time; this can be easily fixed using an allen key or a screwdriver. If the bolts are tight yet the frame still wobbles, you have to loosen each of them and realign the frame evenly by placing the stool upside down on a level surface. Make sure to tighten the bolts firmly.

Imbalance of the Seat and Frame

The seat itself wobbles sometimes and this may be due to an imbalance in the alignment of the column and the seat. The seat on a gas lift connects to the column with screws beneath the seat. The screws may loosen over time, and this can cause the seat to wobble on top of the column. Align the seat to the centre and tighten the screws to ensure there is no shaking.

Choose from Our Best-Selling Deluxe Bar Stools

Deluxe Carcaso Bar Stool White

A stunning white bar stool with a padded faux leather seat, best for domestic or professional use. It is height adjustable with a gas lift mechanism and can swivel 360 degrees, offering you unmatched accessibility. The hooded design seat and backrest provides extreme comfort and style. The round base with a chrome stem and footrest gives the stool stability and extra comfort, enhancing the seating experience. The Deluxe Carcaso comes with a 2-year warranty, a testament to the confidence in its quality. The elegant bar stool can hold up to a maximum of 160 kg.

Deluxe Rovigo Bar Stool Black

This highly popular stool comes with a matte black faux leather padded seat with a backrest that gives luxurious comfort for long sitting. The contemporary finish has a chrome-coated stem, square base, and footrest. The stool is height-adjustable with a gas lift mechanism and a 360-degree swivel system for more accessibility, while being able to hold up to 160 kg. We offer fast and free delivery all around the UK.

Deluxe Venezia Bar Stool Walnut

The sleek and stylish bar stool seat top is made of wood with an elegant walnut finish and includes a backrest for added comfort. The square base with a chrome stem and footrest offers a relaxed sitting experience. The stool offers swivel movement and a height-adjustable gas lift mechanism to give more accessibility, while being able to hold up to 160 kg. The stylish bar stool has fast and free delivery all around the UK.

Deluxe Sorrento Real Leather Brushed Bar Stool Black

This real leather bar stool is one of our top-selling products on the website and is designed to meet all your needs with extreme comfort. The black leather seat is generously padded, covering the backrest too. The brushed chrome finish stem, footrest, and base are perfect for any home or office interior. The swivel movement with a height-adjustable system allows more accessibility while sitting, and can hold up to160 kg.

Deluxe Semplice Bar Stool Black

The stylish and beautiful circular seat is heavily padded with black faux leather. Although the stool doesn’t include a backrest, it includes many other features, such as a 360 degree swivel, and a height adjustable gas lift with a lever beneath the stool. The semi-circular footrest, leg, and round base are chrome finished and give extra comfort and elegance. The elegant bar stool can hold up to a maximum of 160 kg weight.