Selecting just the perfect stools for your bar, breakfast bar, or work counter can be the final decorating touch you need to complete the room. With the variety of options on the market today, you will have no trouble finding some that will blend in with existing furnishings. The proper decision will give you both beauty and practicality.

Traditional stools are heavy and normally finished in a dark stain. The most common are reminiscent of an English pub. However, there are also wood bar stools in Early American, Shaker, and Mission styles, to name a few. Finishes do not need to be a dark walnut or cherry, but can also be oak, pine, or ash in color. Most, but not all, have backs, and some also have arms. You can find both swivel and stationary styles as well.

Contemporary bar stools are usually smaller than traditional designs and feature lines that are clean and minimalist. Some are padded luxuriously while others are molded from plastic. These models rarely have arms.

Modern bar stools may be quite unique and dramatic. They often feature distinctive shapes and unusual materials. Modern styles are seldom used with formal decor but are often excellent choices for game rooms. Many of them can be quite whimsical in both design and color.

Retro styles normally include a great deal of chrome and bright vinyl seats. The materials and the styles are reminiscent of the cafes and diners popular during the fifties. Few of them have arms, but the designs often include backs.

Decide where the stools will be placed before making a purchase. Many are offered in a full range of heights. Some are engineered for table height, while others are set for the height of a bar. A great number of models have adjustable heights, allowing you to set the exact height for your needs. When selecting a stool with arms, make sure there is sufficient clearance for them so they will not be damaged when replacing the stool.

Swivel or pivot seats are useful, especially on heavy models. Swivels can be found on some models in all of the different styles, even some that do not have a back. With a stationary seat, stools have to be moved frequently when they are used, and sometimes this results in scratches or marks on your floor.

Whether you prefer fabric, vinyl, or leather, and whether your tastes run to chrome, wood, or acrylic, you can find what you need. Some purchase kits they must assemble themselves while others buy them already assembled. However you buy them and whatever style you choose, they make an attractive and practical seating option in many areas of your home.