Have you recently moved or redecorated your bar space?  Or would you simply like your bar or counter area to better complement the rest of your home?  A new set of bar stools may be just what you need to bring together the look of your home.  But how can you tell if a particular barstool will tie into its surroundings without bringing it home with you?  Here are a few tricks you can use to tell if the barstools you’re interested in will work with your interior décor.

• Before you walk into the store, money in hand, think about which types of barstools interest you.  If you don’t know what you’re looking for, at least make a list of qualities you don’t want in a barstool, i.e. no backless barstools, no art deco pieces, etc.  This will help you avoid making a big mistake, especially if you’re an impulse buyer.

• If you are replacing older barstools, think about the reasons you are unhappy with them and avoid buying new barstools that might result in the same problems.  For instance, if you decided to get rid of your old barstools because they were attractive but uncomfortable to sit on, make sure your new barstools are just as easy on your rear as they are on your eyes.

• Take pictures of the area where you barstools will be placed and bring them to the furniture store with you.  This will help you envision how the colors, shape, and style of your potential purchases will look when they arrive at your home.

• Bring along a sample swatch of cloth.  If you made your own curtains, couch cover, or tablecloth, then you might be able to tote a small piece of leftover cloth along on your shopping trip.  Colors can be difficult to gauge in photographs, and having a piece of the actual cloth will also help you consider how the texture of the barstool materials will fit into your scheme.

• Look for barstools in the same color scheme and style as your other furniture.  Unity is the key to creating a workable furniture collection.  A piece of furniture that doesn’t fit into the color scheme will stand out automatically, as will a barstool that was designed with a very different style in mind.  

• Don’t forget about functionality.  Make sure your new barstools will serve their purpose as well as complete your decorating scheme.  Every barstool should be sturdy and well-built.  You might also need specific qualities in a barstool.  Swivel stools and adjustable height barstools are two types of bar stools that you might require, which would limit your search considerably.

• Think about ordering your barstools online.  Although there are certain advantages to buying barstools in person, ordering them from an online retailer can be easy and convenient.  Plus, buying online will open up lots of different options.  If you are searching for a certain type of barstool and just can’t seem to find it in a furniture store, searching for the same thing online might land you exactly what you want.