There are dozens of options when buying bar stools. Bar stools are made from wood, metal, aluminum, even cast iron materials. Some bar stools come with adjustable heights – but if you don’t want that or want a single height, know what height you want in relation to the counter or bar you will be using them for. Another option is what color wood or metal, etc, you want your bar stools to be.

Try making a list of features you know you want and keep it with you as you shop to make sure you get what you need.

Shopping around both in brick & mortar stores and in online stores will give you both more options and a better chance of spending as little as needed for the exact bar stools you want. If you find identical bar stools in two different stores, you can base your choice only on price. Often if there is just one place nearby that sells the bar stools you want, they know that and they will jack up the prices to fit the demand, so shopping around may keep you from being taken advantage of.

As you shop, or even before when you’re making your list of what you want, sit down and look at or think about the décor in your kitchen or bar area and consider what feel it is you’re going for with your bar stools. Aside from function, fitting into your décor is probably the most important feature you’ll want to find for your bar stools.

Yellow stools are found in several different materials. Wrought iron, aluminum, wood and plastic are all common materials from which stools are made. Which material you choose will depend on the décor or intended décor of the room they will be in and how much time you are willing to invest in keeping them clean and beautiful. Other features that come with different types of yellow stools include height adjustments and different types of yellow upholstery.

Patent leather is that stiff, shiny material that is seen on stools all over. Patent leather material is very popular to upholster stools because it is very sturdy and stands up well to wear, along with the fact that the material can be bought in several different shades of yellow to fit with your design plans and decorating. Patent leather is found mostly on yellow stools that are made from aluminum or some other type of metal, and often come with the height adjustment feature. It is uncommon to find high or intricately decorated stool backs as well that are upholstered in patent leather – most patent leather stools are backless, so that is something to consider.

Cloth upholstery is much more common than patent leather and is very popular for yellow stools. Hundreds of different hues or patterns of yellows can be purchased and upholstered onto the stool to fit into your room’s décor and what you and your family need from the stools. Cloth can mean anything from very thin sheet-like material to thicker almost burlap, or from silk to velvet. The options are really almost endless with cloth upholstery. Most cloth upholstered yellow stools also have a back on them.

Buying beautiful wooden stools is a great investment for the look and homey feel of your home or bar area. But we do mean investment – good quality pine, oak or cedar wooden stools can be pretty expensive for a set. This alone is enough of a reason to do whatever you can to lengthen and extend the life of the wood from which your stools are made. With a few simple techniques and materials you can keep your stools looking beautiful and healthy for even longer than they would last usually.

First it is important to understand what not to do to your wooden stools to make sure that instead of lengthening, you’re not actually shortening the life of the stools. Leaving wooden stools in direct, harsh sunlight can cause drying out, warping and discoloration of the wood – so keep them out of sunlight. Another thing to avoid is putting the stools in the direct path of the airflow from an air vent, and for the same reasons. Hot air blowing constantly can dry out the wood and cause it to warp.

The next step is to clean the wood regularly. Use cleaner meant for wood, as harsh chemicals can take away the shine and discolor the wood of the stool. Use a soft cloth, nothing harsh like scrapers or rough scrubbers. Dirt and oil buildup on un-cleaned wooden stools can also cause discoloration, so regular cleaning is important to keep the shine of the wood perfect.

Cleaning alone can cause havoc on wooden stools, even if you use mild soap and water and keep them dry. Cracking and drying can still occur. That’s why the next step is the most important – polishing. Using a good quality wood polish as you clean your wooden stools will help keep moisture locked into them and a beautiful shine and protective coating on them against dust, dirt and oil. This has to be done as regularly as the cleaning, otherwise deterioration of the beautiful original wooden stools you invested in a few months ago will already begin looking discolored, warped and dried out.

The problem with white patent is that every speck of dirt or scuff will show up very well, as well as a tendency to yellow with age and time. To remove stains or scuffs on the patent, use a bleach pen to gentle rub them away, and always make sure to dry the upholstery after you’re finished. Clean the white stool with cleaners made especially for patent leather; otherwise it may damage the material. Applying mineral oil or olive oil can help improve the shine and sheen of the material, but always use substances that are patent-safe.

White stools made from white wood are also difficult to keep clean because of the contrast between them and any dirt that may accumulate. Always use a soft-bristled brush and always dry the wood entirely after cleaning. Use specialized wood cleaners and use gentle pressure, trying to clean along the grain if possible. Wood polish made especially for light color wood will help keep your white stools keep their shine and natural color, as well as provide protection for them.

The trick to cleaning white upholstery or cushions is to use the right materials. There are several options for cleaning the white of materials, including having them professionally cleaned. But with the cheapest price of professional cleaning running at an average of $150, doing it yourself could be just as useful. One of the best substances to use is OxyClean, and making sure to use a specialized upholstery brush to clean your white stools. Using harsh chemicals or anything that is deeply colored will only damage the fabric and cause discoloration. OxyClean is also good for maintaining the white hue of the material, avoiding the yellowing that sometimes occurs.

Table stools, if bought correctly, should never be higher than the table itself. Because of this, using stools for your table lends more space for storing them under the table. This benefit is great for those who have a cramped or small dining area. Using stools on the side of the table that is against a wall alone will give you the opportunity to push the table over the stools right up against the wall when they’re not in use, giving you more room around it.

If you don’t like using stools without a back, or have children that must have a back to their seat so they don’t fall backward, you can still use table stools to your advantage. Many table stools are made with medium to high backs that support the back completely while still being comfortable. Another comfort benefit is the upholstery you will often find in table stools, including things like patent leather, real leather, cloth upholstery, and tailor-made cushions to fit the seat. These materials make sitting on table stools for dinner comfortable for everyone.

Your style doesn’t have to be compromised to be able to utilize table stools for your kitchen table either. Those backs we were telling you about above? They come in several different styles and designs to make your table area look stylish and homey. The different materials you can find table stools upholstered in mean that you can find upholstery for any décor, and in virtually any color for decorating purposes. The style of table stools allow for a versatile look that can work with many color schemes and table styles.

In the old swivel stools, the height adjustment knob only worked part of the time, and often jammed up when it got tired of working. The height adjustments on today’s swivel stools are really very easy to operate – most don’t even have a knob like the older ones, but employ a lever like the ones that come on many computer chairs to use air pressure to lift and lower the seat. Height adjustment alone is one of the biggest reasons swivel stools are bought, because choosing which height stool to buy in a family of several different heights can be tedious and never correct.

Swivel stools are not only made of cheap metal or aluminum anymore (though those still exist). Swivel stools are made from wood, steel, wrought iron, and strong aluminum alloys. With easy ways to keep all of these materials in top-notch condition, the choice of material is usually a purely preference-based one. Many wrought iron and wooden swivel stools, however, do not offer height adjustments, so it is important to find a balance in what you want and the options available.

The poor craftsmanship, function and overall quality of swivel stools is no more. Today when compared to good quality stationary stools, swivel stools can hold their own. Better building material, upholstery, color and style options, and better function as far as the swivel and height adjustments. Overall, swivel stools among the best options for stools available on the market today.

Step stools are made from wood, steel, aluminum, and plastic, depending on their weight capacity and use. Plastic material holds less weight than other stronger stools made from steel or aluminum, so they are usually chosen for small children to use in front of a bathroom sink or to reach their own dishes or movies. Aluminum or steel (sometimes an alloy as well) hold up to 300 + pounds and are generally used for adults, either indoors or outdoors.

Small plastic step stools made for children or lightweight duty start from 6 inches off the ground and go up to 36 inches for heavier plastic. Metal step stools usually start from 36 inches and go up from there. Some small household 6 foot ladders can fold especially to become a step stool and can fold at different angles to make different heights. As a general rule, however, anything over 4 feet is considered a ladder and not a step stool. A good tip is to measure the highest place in your home that you may need a step stool for, whether it is the highest pantry shelf or the highest bulb socket in the home, and use that height to shop for a step stool.

Step stools come from one step, like with small plastic ones for children, up to 4 steps for indoor painter’s stools or adult multi-purpose step stools. The number of steps used for a step stool depend on the height you’re able to step and who will be using it. An elderly woman may need shallower but higher number steps that a younger adult male.

Cloth or fabric upholstery is extremely popular on stools. Many stools boast red back and seat cushions in several different red hues, like scarlet, brown-red, and blood red hues. This type of red stools are common and can be beautiful and compliment any décor. They may sometimes be more difficult to clean and maintain, but their style and look are very much worth it. Metal, wood, wrought iron, and even swivel stools can incorporate red hued upholstery into their designs.

Leather can come in almost any color, and red leather is a very popular color choice for leather as far as upholstery goes. Gorgeous dark wood with red leather upholstery stools are often bought for laid-back bar areas and kitchen counters, depending on the décor. Red leather is as beautiful and has the same signature texture as regular leather, and that means it requires the same amount of care to maintain the leather’s beauty. Regular maintenance with leather cleaners made only for leather will keep it from becoming cracked and dried out, and prevent accidental tearing. It is very expensive to repair leather, but for many homes it is worth the beautiful look of red leather stools.

There is of course the one you always think about – the short stool with red-patent upholstery found in drive-in diners of the 1950s. These are surprisingly more popular than you might think, however. Kids’ rooms, fun party bars, and counter stools for a modern kitchen with red as a central theme all incorporate these red stools into their décor on a regular basis. With the right accents and decorating skills, red stools can be worked into any home, if you know your options.

Go through the different options for your leather bar stools. Think about the height you want, if you want a back, and whether you want the back to be high or low. Consider whether you want dark or light color leather and if you want to buy new or used leather stools. Also think about the décor of your room and whether you want stools that stand out or blend in with it. Try making and keeping a list of the different features you want so you can find exactly those when you shop.

Reputable stool sellers will always be able to guarantee the authenticity of the leather on their stools. If your dealer cannot guarantee this to you, either don’t buy it or bring along someone you know who can tell real from faux leather – this is important, because many sellers charge real leather prices for faux leather stools, and no one wants to be taken advantage of. If you are shopping for used leather stools, make sure you look them over in good lighting for any cracks, tears or worn places – repairing leather is expensive!

Shop around to several different places, both online and in brick & mortar stores, to make sure you’re getting a good (or at least a fair) price on your leather stools. Local shops may raise prices to take advantage of their monopoly on local leather stools. Try shopping online. Often you can even find beautiful and guaranteed genuine leather stools with free shipping!

Wooden kitchen stools are very easy to take care of, and require simple regular maintenance to increase the life span and beauty of the stool. One of the best tips for wooden stools is to keep it out of direct sunlight and away from the direct path of an air vent. Sunlight and direct hot air can dry out and warp the wood after extended times. Clean and polish your stools with furniture polish regularly so that the buildup of oils and dirt doesn’t change the color of the wood.

Possibly the most maintenance of the three types of kitchen stools, leather takes a little more work to maintain, though not too much more. Chances are that if you bought your stools new they came with their own set of instructions on how to care for the upholstery. If not, go to your local hardware store and buy some leather cleaner that is made only for leather. The bottle will be small and probably quite expensive compared to other cleaners, but it will last a long time. Just a dab and a clean cloth regularly will keep your leather supple and smooth. Using other cleaners or neglecting the leather altogether will cause unseemly cracking and drying out.

The biggest problem with cleaning and maintaining metal kitchen stools is rust. When cleaning metal stools, always dry them completely after washing to avoid rusting, and never use anything stronger than soap and water, because harsh chemicals in the cleaner can (and will) abrade the surface and cause rusting or rough places that are discolored in the metal of your kitchen stools.