When you have children, it seems only natural that you lean towards certain kinds of decorating.With the hectic life of raising little ones, decorating with purpose is key. But while you are focusing on simplicity and function, you need not leave out a little color. Especially in the kitchen! Yes, the dining room chairs you choose must be easily cleanable, but you have a little flexibility with your bar stools.

After you decide what style suits your family best, you’ll want to choose something bright and welcoming. After all, the kitchen is the gathering place of the house. Here are 18 colorful bar stools to encourage your family to congregate around the counter.

For the country kitchen with it’s whitewashed cabinets and butcherblock countertop, consider putting these yellow metal bar stools at the counter. They’ll be perfect for Saturday morning pancake making helpers to perch on. (via Overstock)

Even the most minimal kitchens could use a shade of pattern. These white bar stools show off a hexagon seat that promises to bring a bit of flair to your space. (via Gaber)

While these cushy seats are perfect for after school snacks and helping with homework, the beautiful jewel tones beckon you to sit with a glass of your favorite wine after all the kids are in bed. How can you say no? (via Grandin Road)

Oh la la! Who wouldn’t want to have coffee and granola from this French styled bar stool every morning? You’ll probably want to wait until the kids are a little older to introduce these to your kitchen but once they are, use them to enjoy some quiet morning moments before you’re running them to all their activities. (via World Market)

Orange is one of the happiest colors so why wouldn’t you add it to your kitchen? These metal bar stools will give a smile to any Monday morning, along with being easy to wipe clean after supper. (via Hayneedle)

It takes a dedicated shopper to find that perfect piece between family friendly and adult chic. Thankfully, this bar stool says all that. It’s all party on top and class on the bottom, exactly like a family should be. (via Chairsandmore)

Say hello to charm and color with this bright and happy bar stool. Who cares if there isn’t much pink in your kitchen. Choosing a set of these will bring just that bit of blush you were looking for without making you feel like you need to pinkify the rest of your home. (via World Market)

Rattan anything should always be snatched up, whether it be a chair or a bed or a planter. So you should have no trouble at all opting for these bar stools. They’ll bring just some beachy vibes to your space in a flash. (via Serena and Lily)

You can be sure that a linear design like this one will always be in style. Plus, blue is basically a neutral color now so no matter what your style is in the future, you can be sure that these bar stools will be a part of it forever. (via Hayneedle)

Such bright and happy bar stools just can’t be left out of your kitchen. The best part, being metal, they’ll be sturdy enough to take outdoors for extra seating when you have parties on your patio. Multi-purpose for the win. (via Gaber)

Have you ever sat down on a stool meant for a child and bruised up your knees in the process? It isn’t a pleasant experience. These bar stools are adjustable so you won’t have to suffer ever again from bruised knees. Just twist them up for homework time and twist them down for grown up time. (via Magis)

Oftentimes, simplicity is just the best and most practical thing for your family. These stools are just that while providing a little pop of red to give your kitchen that crimson flair. (via Pedrali)

When your kitchen counter needs a bar stool that fits underneath, you may think that you need to sacrifice comfort for spacial necessity. However, these stools will tuck nicely away under the countertop while providing a cushy seat when you do use them. (via Grandin Road)

When you’re a serial color matcher, it’s important that every single piece ties into your color scheme. These stools boast lovely colored seats and white sturdy legs so you can choose which will blend best in your kitchen. (via Quinzeandmilan)

When you’re working with a small kitchen space or a tiny basement bar, backless bar stools are going to be your best friend. They will slide away when not in use but stay easily accessible for the weekend parties and slow breakfasts. By choosing a few in colorful shades like the ones above, you can’t help but smile each time you put them out for your kids or friends or even yourself.