Using a bowl for decor isn’t a new concept. In fact, many of the ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans made and used bowls for decorating their palaces, tombs and ceremonial places dating as far back as 5000 BC ¹/². But with a growing popularity for home decor and with so many different styles, people have found creative ways to style with the ‘simple’ bowl.

Here are some of my favorites.

The Fruit Bearer 🍒

Putting food in a bowl seems fundamental and it is, but it can have a huge impact on the space you’re putting it in because of the freshness, color and texture it adds. You can use real fruit if you’re looking to add fragrance to your ambiance or my favorite, faux fruits and veggies that guarantee that the color and look won’t fade with time.

Best Used In:

Kitchen Islands, Kitchen Backdrop, Dining Table Centerpiece, Bar Top

The Statement Piece 🏆

There is an endless amount of beautiful bowls out there and then there are the statement makers. These are the bowls that just stand on their own because of their intricacies, shape, style or sheer size. I find that the best way to use them is to highlight their beauty either by simply leaving them empty or by adding one main thing that contradicts or compliments the bowl’s texture or color. Complimenting is easy but people typically have the hardest time with the contradictions, so think “opposites attract”. If you have delicate lines, add bulky items. If you have darker, colder tones, add something warm and bright. You get the idea

Best Used In:

Coffee Table Centerpieces, Credenzas/Sideboards, Open Shelving, Libraries, Office Shelving

The Nature Lover 🍃

Bringing the outdoors indoors has become quite sought-after in home decor. That couldn’t be more true for bowls. The variety of materials from concrete, stone, bamboo, walnut, beech, teak, sycamore, tamarind, acacia.. is an endless list. Much like the Statement Pieces, the natural bowls are so unique in their own way. With popular styles such as Boho, Farmhouse and even Transitional, the natural bowls have definitely found their niche. I find that they display best when they contain other natural elements such as flowers, dried stems, moss, wooden balls, potpourri, etc.. or you can take your creativity even further and use them as a form of wall or shelf art.

Best Used In:

Wall Art, Kitchen Islands, Kitchen open shelving, Kithen Backdrop, Living Room Nooks, Coffee Table Centerpieces, Dining Table Centerpieces, Entryways, Office Shelving, Credenzas/Sideboards

The Bougie 👑

These are smaller bowls typically found in bedrooms or bathrooms and act as beautiful accent pieces that love to hold your intimate possessions: jewelry, random nic-nacs, coins.. you name it. They’re harder to find due to their smaller size but they sure are beautiful.

Best Used In:

Nighstands, Bathroom shelving, Bathroom vanities, Entryways

References

1. History of the Bowl. (n.d.). AC Silver. https://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/History-of-the-Bowl-d341.htm

2. History of Bowls. (n.d.). https://www.bowls.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/History-amended.pdf

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