A barstool or counter stool can feel like an afterthought. A quick and easy finishing touch on a renovation, or a small kitchen upgrade once kids have grown old enough to have homework assignments. A seat to flop down on for a glass of wine after work, or a place to rest for a moment while dashing off a quick thank-you note.Then you start shopping for one.The sheer amount of styles available is almost as staggering as the prices, which often hover in the $500 to $1,000 range. For a single stool. I experienced sticker shock with this guide like no other category I’ve written about. So many lovely contenders became automatic dismissals the moment I saw the price.After months of research, I found that the sweet spot for decent design and value tends to hover between $100 and $500. Here are some of our favorites.