A shopping writer’s favorite new piece of furniture is the counter-height, bouclé bar stools from Wayfair that have transformed their island into a workstation during the day and bar top at night.

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.

You might think they're the same thing, but bar stools and counter stools are subtly different, and knowing how will help you ...