Decorative Bowls

What types of decorative bowls are there?

Decorative bowls come in a few common forms. Centerpiece bowls are large and shallow, made to anchor a dining or coffee table. Catchall bowls are smaller, ideal by the door for keys and small items. Footed and pedestal bowls add height and a more formal look, and fruit bowls combine everyday use with style.

The size and shape you choose should match the job. A wide, low bowl suits a centerpiece, while a small dish suits an entryway or nightstand. Many bowls are beautiful enough to display empty as a sculptural piece.

What materials do decorative bowls come in?

Material sets both the look and the use. Ceramic and stoneware feel organic and substantial. Wood adds warmth and a natural texture. Glass feels light and reflective, and metal brings shine and a modern edge.

Consider what the bowl will hold. Wood and ceramic suit dry items and decorative fillers, while sealed or food safe finishes are best for fruit. Tying the bowl's finish to other accents keeps a tabletop looking coordinated.

How do you use a decorative bowl in your home?

A decorative bowl earns its place by being both useful and good looking. On a coffee table it holds remotes or coasters while anchoring the surface. By the front door it corrals keys and mail. On a dining table it works as a centerpiece, filled or empty.

Empty, a sculptural bowl reads as a quiet object on its own. Pairing it with a vase and a small stack of books builds a balanced grouping with varied heights.

What do you put in a decorative bowl?

Fillers are an easy way to change the look with the seasons. Popular options include decorative orbs and spheres, faux fruit, pinecones, woven balls, shells, potpourri and even a coil of string lights. The goal is texture and a little height.

For a centerpiece, mound the filler slightly above the rim so it reads as full. For a catchall, leave it mostly empty so there is room for the everyday items it is meant to hold.

Where do decorative bowls work best?

Bowls suit almost any surface that needs a finishing touch. Coffee tables, dining tables, kitchen islands, entryway consoles and open shelves are all natural spots. A footed bowl adds elegance to a formal dining table, while a simple catchall keeps an entryway tidy.

Because they are low and grounding, bowls balance taller accents nearby. They sit comfortably among the wider home decor range of vases, candles and sculptures that finish a room.