Bar stools add interest to any kitchen decor.

Bar stools are not only a great way to get extra seating without taking up too much space, but they can also serve as unique accent pieces in your kitchen. Bar stools are ideal for high counters, kitchen islands or bistro-style high tables and can work with almost any style of décor. Here are some tips on the type of bar stool you might want to pair with certain decorating styles.

Contemporary

A contemporary style demands modern and elegant lines. You can get interesting stools in chrome or steel that will go very well with chrome appliances. If your kitchen has a dark and mysterious look, try adding bar stools with a black finish. To add a bit of zip, you can use bar stools that have a modern design, or if you’re not so adventurous, try some with a half back or V-shaped legs.

vintage

Retro is in these days and what better way to accentuate your retro-style kitchen than with stools that borrow design elements from the good old days. You can buy new stools that are chrome and vinyl in a wide variety of styles. Unlike real antique stools, you won’t have to worry about rusted metal or ripped upholstery with new stools. You can get great back or backless stools in a retro 50’s look, vinyl retro lounge style with full back and arms, and even backless stools like you’d see at the soda store.

Tropical

For tropical-themed kitchens, you can choose from a wide selection of bar stools that will complement your style. You can first opt ​​for a simple bamboo or rattan if your kitchen is very informal. If you’re looking for a more fun look, you could try metal bar stools that have a palm tree or other tropical-style cutout, or similar stools that are painted on the back in tropical designs.

Coffee

If your kitchen is modeled after a diner or bistro, you’ll find plenty of chairs you can use to enhance the look. Cherry wood chairs like you would see in fancy cafes always look good and you can also get metal chairs with a sleek new age design that complements this style very well.

thematic

If you’re going for an earthy, ethnic cuisine like a Tuscan or Mexican style, you might want to look for wrought iron bar stools. They come in designs on the back, arms, and legs that range from very voluminous to slightly voluminous. With upholstered seats, these can be covered to match the colors of your kitchen.

Traditional

If you have a more formal or traditional kitchen, there are many bar stools that will work perfectly. I like a heavy stool in this look, so you might try an oak or cherry stool that is solid with arms. For an upscale pub look, try wood and leather bar stools that add class and elegance to any room.

If, like many people, your kitchen is eclectic and not particularly themed, there’s still a bar stool that will look great. You can really let your creativity show with hand-painted stools depicting many elements from flowers to fruit to ocean scenes.

A word of caution when choosing a bar stool: You need to make sure you get the right height for your counter or table. Typically, bar stool seats range from 17″ to 31″, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to purchase the stool you love in the size you need. To find out what that size is, you need to measure the distance from the bottom of the table or counter to the floor. An ideal fit would be to allow 10-13 inches of space from the bottom of the table to the top of the stool seat, so if your table is 35″ off the ground you want a 24″ bar. stool. This is quite important as purchasing a stool that does not fit correctly at your table or counter will result in an uncomfortable seat.