The must have stool

All rooms can benefit from a low stool. They can be a foot rest, another place to sit for an adult or child, or serve as another table if you put a tray on it. They're small and can be kept out of the way until needed. All rooms need a stool or two!

Veranda

Stools can be simple ottomans or wonderful and decorative antiques. 

House Beautiful - Designer: Timothy Whealon

In this living room the designer, Timothy Whealon, placed two leather and metal stools opposite the sofa. He also uses an ottoman in the back right as a coffee table. All can be additional seating when needed.

Elle Decor - Designers: Renny Reynolds and Jack Staub

This little bench is a great looking decoration, and can be moved around easily for seating.

Traditional Home - Designer: Loi Thai

Here is another way to use a stool - a place to put towels out for guests in the bathroom!

Auctions which include furniture almost always have a selection of stools ranging in price and style. 

Stair Galleries

I flirted with these stools when they came up at a Stair Galleries auction earlier this Spring. These were described as Mid Century Directoire style and made out of iron and brass. They sold for $375. 

Christie's Interiors Lot 743

The Christie's Interiors coming up June 24 and 25 includes these very cute girlie stools. They look very Hollywood deco to me. I'd put them in a feminine bedroom at the end of the bed, or in the living room. They are 20th century and estimated at $600 - $800 for the pair.

Christie's Interiors Lot 844

This example is a classic - the X stool. This is described as a 20th century Regency style stool, and estimated at $400 - $600. This could be another table as well if you put a small tray on it, and you can even use it to put your feet up. 

New Orleans Auction

This stool recently sold at New Orleans Auction for $246. It's a cute, if somewhat distressed, example described as a French carved and painted 20th century stool.

You can't lose buying a decorative stool, and auctions have lots of examples that will almost certainly be less than retail.

If you have a great low stool or another example of how versatile they can be, please share a comment and/or a photo.