Stool Samples

I love industrial stools at home. They last forever, age really well, have a lot of character, and are usually inexpensive. You can place one by a chair to set a drink/plate on, they're light and small enough so you can move them wherever you need them or put them away if you don't... and people can actually sit on them if need be.
Above - the CB2 alchemy stool found on Apartment Therapy.

I prefer the ones with wooden seats/tops since they have some warmth along with an everlasting metal structure.
Above - Vintage painter's stool from Modern50.