Help me decide: Kitchen island - how many stools?

[hoopyloopy2]

We are redesigning our kitchen and have space for a narrow island. DH & I are having a bit of a debate though as to have enough space around the island we can really only have 3 bar stools (for a family of 4).

There is another design option which could just about squeeze in 4 but compromises space & other things. We will have a dining table within easy reach and I figure when all 4 of us are eating together we can sit at that. Our kids are 11 & 14 & with work, sport etc there is inevitably a lot of coming & going, resulting in full family meals just a few times a week.

He thinks we need 4, I think 3. Any views from how you use yours?

We have space for 3 but decided on 2. We have a table for 4 which we all eat at and as we have 2 kids if they eat on their own they sit there. Its worked out fine.

We have three for four of us and it's great. They're used mostly for breakfast, dinner on the go, we eat tea at the table. Stools also used when chatting to person cooking etc.

I was worried about only having three but it works really well.