Part of Level's bar stool collection, our bentwood bar stools are produced using the steam-bending technique first developed by Michael Thonet in the 1830s. Solid beech timber is heated with steam until pliable and then shaped into the curved, flowing forms that define the bentwood style. This process produces a stool that is lightweight, structurally sound and visually refined — the same qualities that made Thonet's designs the defining cafe and bar stool of European hospitality for over a century.
Level's bentwood bar stool range is available at standard bar height (75cm) for high bar tables and bar counters, and at counter height (65cm) for cafe counter and kitchen pass applications. Most collections are available with a timber seat, cane seat or upholstered seat pad, and in natural beech and black stained finishes.
When people search for Thonet stools or Thonet bar stools in Australia, they are looking for furniture made in the original Thonet tradition. Level stocks the genuine article. TON is produced in Bystřice pod Hostýnem in the Czech Republic — the exact factory that Michael Thonet opened in 1861. The factory operated under the Thonet name through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming Thonet-Mundus after the First World War and continuing under the Thonet national enterprise after the Second World War. In 1953, following nationalisation, it was renamed TON — Továrny ohýbaného nábytku, meaning Factories of Bent Furniture. The name changed. The factory, the location and the steam-bending technique did not.
This matters for commercial specifiers. When a project calls for Thonet bentwood stools, TON is the legitimate source — not a reproduction, not an imitation, but furniture made in the same place, by the same method, that Thonet established over 160 years ago. For architects and interior designers where design provenance is part of the brief, this distinction is significant. Browse the full TON range on Level's TON brand page.
One of the practical strengths of specifying TON bentwood stools from Level is the ability to align bar stool and dining chair seating within a single collection. Many of our bentwood bar stool ranges are part of the same product family as our bentwood dining chairs, allowing a consistent aesthetic across dining areas and bar counter seating within the same venue. The TON 811 range is among the most specified bentwood collections for this reason — the bar stool, dining chair and armchair all belong to the same family. Browse our bentwood chairs page for the matching dining chair range, or contact our trade team to confirm which collections offer a direct pairing.
Level's trade team is available to assist with bentwood stool selection, sampling, finish confirmation and project coordination. We can confirm stock availability and lead times across the TON range and support your project from initial quote through to delivery across Australia. For bespoke bentwood stool specifications — including custom upholstery or finishes — our made-to-order service can be discussed directly with the team.
FAQs
TON and Thonet are the same factory. Michael Thonet opened the Bystřice pod Hostýném factory in the Czech Republic in 1861, and it operated under the Thonet name for nearly a century. After nationalisation, the factory was renamed TON in 1953 — Továrny ohýbaného nábytku, meaning Factories of Bent Furniture. The location, the workforce and the steam-bending technique remained unchanged. When specifiers reference Thonet stools or Thonet bar stools, TON is the authentic source — the original factory still producing bentwood furniture by the same method Thonet established over 160 years ago.
Level's bentwood bar stool collections from TON are genuine — produced in Thonet's original factory in the Czech Republic using the same steam-bending process developed in the 1830s. Many stools described as bentwood in the Australian market are metal or laminate reproductions of the bentwood silhouette. They may resemble the style but are not produced by the steam-bending technique. For commercial projects where design integrity and provenance matter, the difference between genuine TON bentwood and a replica is both a quality and a specification question.
A bentwood bar stool is produced using the steam-bending technique developed by Michael Thonet in the 1830s. Solid beech timber is heated with steam until pliable, then shaped into the curved forms that define the bentwood style. This process produces a stool that is lightweight, structurally sound and visually refined — qualities that have made bentwood the defining seating style of cafes and bars across Europe and Australia for over a century. Level's bentwood stool range includes genuine TON collections made in Thonet's original Czech factory.
Yes. Level's bentwood bar stools are available at the standard bar height of 75cm, suited to high bar tables and bar counters in hospitality venues, and at counter height (65cm) for cafe counter and kitchen pass applications. Some TON collections offer both heights within the same range, allowing a consistent bentwood aesthetic across different seating levels within a single fit-out. Our trade team can confirm which collections are available at each height and advise on which suits your counter specification.
Yes. Many of Level's bentwood bar stool collections are part of the same TON product family as our bentwood dining chairs, making it straightforward to align bar counter and dining seating within the same venue. The TON 811 range is among the most specified for this purpose — the bar stool, dining chair and armchair all belong to the same collection. Browse our bentwood chairs page for the full matching dining chair range, or contact our trade team to confirm which collections offer a direct stool and chair pairing.
Yes. Most of Level's TON bentwood bar stool collections are available with a choice of seat options — timber seat, cane seat or upholstered seat pad in vegan leather or fabric. Cane seat options are among the most specified for cafes and restaurants where the open weave of the cane seat complements the curves of the bentwood frame. Upholstered options suit venues where guests are seated at bar counters for extended periods. Custom upholstery is available through our COM and COL programme on selected collections.
Selected TON bentwood bar stool collections are stocked at Level's Melbourne warehouse and available for fast dispatch across Australia. In-stock availability is clearly indicated on each product page. For collections requiring specific finishes or upholstery, or for larger volume orders, lead times range from four to twenty-two weeks. Our trade team can confirm current availability and provide a delivery timeline suited to your project schedule.
Yes. Level is a wholesale partner for professionals across the building and design industry. We work with architects, interior designers, builders, developers and project managers on projects of every scale from boutique retail fitouts to large commercial and multi-site developments. Opening a trade account gives you access to wholesale pricing, detailed specifications, and dedicated project support.
Apply For a Trade AccountAbsolutely. Many of our ranges can be tailored in size, finish, and upholstery to meet your design requirements. Whether you’re furnishing a café, office, public space, hotel or retail fit-out, our team collaborates with you to deliver customised solutions that align with your project’s vision and budget.
Yes. Level delivers commercial furniture across Australia from our Melbourne warehouse. We support metro, regional and remote locations, with logistics designed for both single-site projects and multi-location rollouts. Delivery can be scheduled to fit seamlessly with your construction or fit out timeline.
View Delivery InformationOur lead times vary by collection, ranging from in stock items available for immediate dispatch to custom-indent orders up to a 22 week timeframe. We maintain a significant stock holding of our most popular ranges to support projects with tight deadlines. Our team can provide stock availability and accurate lead times for your specific project needs.
2/232 Centre Dandenong Road
Cheltenham VIC 3192
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