I swear by this small kitchen must-have for hard-to-reach spots, extra seating, and more surface space – and Joanna Gaines has designed the perfect step stool that's now less than $50

Gone are the days of performing balancing acts on your countertops or dragging over a dining chair to reach the top shelf in your kitchen. You don't need to rearrange furniture or put your safety at risk to get to those hard-to-reach spots. All you need is a kitchen step stool – and in particular, this one from Joanna Gaines' Target collection.

As someone with a small kitchen, you'd think I'd be averse to adding anything else to my minimal floor space. However, a kitchen step stool has proved that it's worth giving up the small amount of square footage it takes up. Not only is it practical for reaching tall shelves, but it also provides extra surface area and additional seating if needed. Joanna Gaines' design is even foldable, and right now, it's on sale for less than $50.

If you are tight on space, a step stool is likely going to be on show at all times, so you want it to look good as well as do the job. This stool is made from solid wood – a design that reflects Joanna Gaines' signature modern farmhouse style. However, just because it's stylish doesn't mean it neglects practicality. This stool is strong, sturdy, and an ideal accessory to help you get to the hard-to-reach places in your kitchen.

Of course, you can use this step stool for its intended purpose, but there are lots of other ways in which this furnishing can come in handy in the kitchen. I often use mine like a mini butcher's block, to perch a cookbook while I am at the stove. Or if you like to have guests with you in the kitchen, it can become a seat for them to chat with you as you cook. When not in use, fold up this step stool's bottom step, push it against a wall, and turn it into a spot to create a seasonal vignette.

This step stool is also well-loved by reviewers – it has a 4.7 out of 5-star ranking, with over 400 reviews. 'This stool is perfect for my kitchen,' one reviewer wrote. 'It’s great for me to reach the top shelf in the pantry, or for my kids to help me prep dinner. The finish is beautiful and fits perfectly with my aesthetics.'

With such high praise usually comes low stock, so be quick if you want to snap up Joanna's piece. I have also rounded up some more of my favorite step stool designs for more options. These three options are just as practical and versatile, but they offer a slight stylistic variety

Although you might need a kitchen step stool to help you access those high-up cabinet shelves, that doesn't mean what's on those shelves is totally out of sight. It's important to keep every kitchen shelf looking elegant and organized, and we've also found the most stylish kitchen storage containers to help you do so.