Bar stools are one of the most iconic pieces of bar furniture and, while different establishments might not always have a traditional poseur table, or seating at the bar itself, there's almost always a tall table somewhere on the premises for customers who prefer to perch than to sit low down.
One of the reasons why bar stools are so popular is that there's a design to suit almost every interior design scheme but, while other bar furniture changes completely to suit different styles, stools stay fundamentally the same.
Whether you have three legs, four legs, or a central pedestal; a seat back or no back at all; a circular top or a square seat complete with arms; you instantly know when you see a bar stool that that is what you are looking at.
So if you want a bar stool with distinction, where should you start? Bentwood stools are an excellent option, in short or tall heights, and with pleasingly decorative bentwood bracing to strengthen the legs - a true classic of pub furniture that still instantly sets the atmosphere when you walk into a modern-day venue.
Fanback chairs can provide the height of a bar stool, but with a backrest to lean on, and even arms to rest on as well, giving you the very best of both worlds.
Shaker stools are incredibly durable, with sturdy construction in thick solid wood sections, and the option of a padded button top or a piped top for extra comfort, or a plain wooden top for maximum durability; shaker tables are also available and, while the original idea was function over form, in recent years the minimalist design has found new appreciation as an icon in its own right.
You don't have to stick with wooden bar furniture, either; modern contemporary design schemes can easily incorporate chrome-framed stools with padded leather seats, at a cost comparable to their wooden equivalents, and in many cases cheaper than them.
There are all-metal stools suitable for outdoor use, terraces, and for bistros and coffee shops where that style of furniture is commonly seen; and you can even opt for the classic red and white upholstery of American diner furniture, if it suits the menu you serve or the general atmosphere of your venue.