Stools are growing in popularity among a variety of venues. Transcending their original location of the kitchen, stools can now be found inside restaurants, bars, clubs, and any outdoor patio. The most common form of stool is the counter stool. Whatever room it is located in, the counter stool brings modern and contemporary style to wherever it is stationed. The counter stool is no longer just a simple seat; it now serves beautifully as a design meant for functionality as well as style.

The height of a counter stool is what helps give it its name. Since most counters sit at approximately 40 inches high, the standard counter stool is designed at 20 to 24 inches tall (slightly smaller than the barstool which sits at 30 inches high). The shorter height is due to the nature of the counter stool's intended use: kitchen and commercial lunch counters all sit at approximately 30 inches high. However, builders of new homes and restaurants are leaning towards counter designs with higher levels: for example, counters at 45 inches high are being seeing in new developments with increased frequency. Therefore, the counter stool designers are starting to reciprocate the new height in their models: the 34 inch counter stool is a recurring design in the barstool market and is intended for the slightly taller counters.

Counter stools are basically found in two types of styles: the basic style for functionality and the more artistic design for aesthetics. Of course there are counter stools that reflect both. Basic counter stools are fashioned from finished or unfinished wood. They are found with round or square seats, usually with no cushion. The basic counter stool has four legs or posts with crossbeams between the legs for support. This counter stool is also stationary; it does not move or swivel. This simple design also does not have a seatback.

The more artistic designed counter stools definitely include a seatback, and are more often fashioned out of metal rather than wood. Other materials, such as stainless steel and wrought iron, are growing in popularity among more elegant models of counter stool. These fancier counter stools always include cushioned seats, made of cloth or leather. They also feature swivel capabilities and foot or arm rests as well.

Venues like high-volume restaurants, bars, clubs, and schools often select the counter stools with more durable seat materials. This helps them to retain their seating investments over longer periods of time. However, if design and comfort are at the top of the list, the more elegantly designed and crafted counter stools are the popular choice. This is especially true if the counter stool is intended to match the existing kitchen or room d'cor. Whatever the choice, there is no doubt a counter stool available to complement any desire.