The Best Uses for Decorative Bowls

From top to bottom, left to right: one, two/ similar, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

I. Love. Bowls. Decorative bowls. They look good everywhere and are so useful; on a kitchen island, a dining table, an entry table, an ottoman or coffee table. Decorative bowls can be interchanged with trays to corral items and make your space look tidier. I use them to display fruit, bottle corks, matchboxes, keys, washcloths, soaps. Even empty, a decorative bowl can add a sculptural or textural element to a room. You can find bowls in every material imaginable: cement, marble, porcelain, ceramic, wood, crystal, glass, metals, woven fabric or plant fibers; the options are limitless.

How I’ve used decorative bowls in my own homes

Here are some other great decorative bowls to consider

I have a birdbath like the one above. The top bowl comes off (as you should not leave it outside in the winter if frost is an issue in your region) and you can use this on your dining table filled with moss, or plant bulbs, seashells… the inspiration came from a favorite designer, Darryl Carter. Restoration Hardware has similar options in their offerings. In my opinion, if an item can be used in multiple ways, for example a bird bath and a centerpiece, then it is worth considering the purchase.

Of course, I would lean towards purchases of a more handmade quality, or smaller production, so you don’t end up with the same items as your friends and neighbors. This is one of the risks of purchasing from a big retailer.

If you are looking for vintage or antique decorative bowls, which I would highly recommend, considering visiting your local antiques stores, or online ones like Chairish or 1stDibs. I have a post on antiquing here.

In terms of decorative bowls, there is no such things as too many. You will find endless purposes for them in your home and also when entertaining.