Coffee tables are more than just a place to put your drinks. They’re the heart of your living room, a spot where you can show off your style. One easy way to make your coffee table look great is by using decorative bowls. These bowls aren’t just pretty to look at – they’re also useful for holding all sorts of things.
In this post, we’ll talk about 15 different decorative bowls that can make your coffee table look amazing. We’ll cover bowls made from all sorts of materials, in different shapes and sizes. Whether you like things simple or fancy, there’s sure to be a bowl here that catches your eye.
Why Use Decorative Bowls?
Decorative bowls can make your room look prettier and show your style. They can hold things like fruits, flowers, or small objects. Or they can just look nice on their own.
1. Glass Bowls
Glass bowls are see-through and shiny. They can make your table look fancy. You can find glass bowls in many shapes and sizes. Some are plain and clear. Others have colors or patterns.
Clear glass bowls are great because they go with any room style. You can put colorful things inside them, like marbles or sea shells. This makes a pretty display.
Colored glass bowls can add a pop of color to your table. Blue glass bowls can make you think of the ocean. Red ones can make the room feel warm and cozy.
Some glass bowls have patterns cut into them. These patterns can make interesting shadows on your table when light shines through them.
Glass bowls can be fragile, so be careful when you move them. But they are easy to clean. You can just wipe them with a soft cloth.
2. Wooden Bowls
Wooden bowls bring a natural, warm feeling to your table. They come in many types of wood, like oak, maple, or bamboo. Each type of wood has its own color and grain pattern.
Some wooden bowls are smooth and shiny. Others are rough and natural-looking. You can choose the style that fits your room best.
Wooden bowls are good for holding fruit. The wood won’t make the fruit go bad as fast as other materials might. Plus, the fruit looks nice against the wood color.
To take care of wooden bowls, you should oil them sometimes. This keeps the wood from drying out and cracking. You can use special wood oil or even olive oil.
Be careful not to get wooden bowls too wet. Water can damage the wood. If you spill something in a wooden bowl, clean it up quickly.
3. Ceramic Bowls
Ceramic bowls come in many colors and designs. They can be simple or very fancy. Some have patterns painted on them. Others have designs carved into them.
White ceramic bowls look clean and go with any room style. Colorful ceramic bowls can add excitement to your table. You can choose bowls that match your room’s colors.
Some ceramic bowls are glazed, which makes them shiny. Others are not glazed and have a more natural look. Glazed bowls are easier to clean, but unglazed ones can look more artistic.
Ceramic bowls can be heavy, so be careful when you move them. They can also break if you drop them. But they are strong enough for everyday use.
You can put many things in ceramic bowls. They look nice with dried flowers or potpourri. You can also use them to hold small things like keys or coins.
4. Metal Bowls
Metal bowls can make your table look modern and sleek. They come in different metals like silver, gold, copper, or brass. Each metal has its own color and shine.
Some metal bowls are smooth and shiny. Others have a rough or hammered look. Hammered metal bowls have lots of small dents that catch the light in interesting ways.
Metal bowls can be light or heavy. Aluminum bowls are very light. Bronze or copper bowls can be quite heavy. Think about this when you choose where to put them.
One good thing about metal bowls is that they don’t break easily. You can drop them without worrying. But they can get dented, so still be careful.
Metal bowls can make nice sounds when you tap them. Some people like to use them as bells. You can put a small stick in the bowl to make a simple musical instrument.
5. Stone Bowls
Stone bowls bring a natural, earthy feel to your table. They can be made from different kinds of stone, like marble, granite, or onyx. Each type of stone has its own colors and patterns.
Stone bowls are often heavy. This means they won’t tip over easily. But it also means you should be careful when you move them. They might scratch your table if you slide them.
Many stone bowls have beautiful patterns in the stone. No two stone bowls are exactly the same. This makes each one special and unique.
Stone bowls can feel cool to touch. This makes them good for holding fruit in warm weather. The cool stone can help keep the fruit fresh longer.
To clean stone bowls, just wipe them with a damp cloth. Don’t use harsh cleaners, as these can damage the stone. If your stone bowl gets stained, you might need special stone cleaner to fix it.
6. Woven Bowls
Woven bowls are made from materials like grass, reeds, or wicker. They bring a natural, boho style to your table. Woven bowls can be soft or stiff, depending on what they’re made from.
Many woven bowls come from different cultures around the world. For example, some might be made by artisans in Africa or South America. Using these bowls can add a worldly touch to your room.
Woven bowls are usually light, so they’re easy to move around. They often have interesting textures that look nice and feel good to touch.
You can put many things in woven bowls. They look nice with natural items like pinecones or seashells. Or you can use them to hold soft things like scarves or yarn.
Be careful not to get woven bowls too wet. Water can damage the natural fibers. If you want to clean a woven bowl, it’s best to just dust it with a dry cloth.
7. Plastic Bowls
Plastic bowls might not sound fancy, but they can look very nice. Modern plastic bowls come in many colors and styles. They can look like glass or ceramic, but they’re much lighter and won’t break.
One good thing about plastic bowls is that they’re safe to use outside. You don’t have to worry about them breaking if they fall. This makes them great for outdoor parties or picnics.
Some plastic bowls are made to look like other materials. For example, you can find plastic bowls that look like wood or stone. These can be a good choice if you like those looks but want something lighter or cheaper.
Plastic bowls are easy to clean. Most can go in the dishwasher. They also don’t stain easily, so you can put colorful foods in them without worry.
If you care about the environment, look for plastic bowls made from recycled materials. Some companies make bowls from old plastic bottles or other recycled items.
8. Paper Mache Bowls
Paper mache bowls are made from paper and glue. They can be shaped into many different forms. Artists often paint them with bright colors and patterns.
Paper mache bowls are very light. This makes them easy to move around. But it also means they can blow away in the wind, so they’re best used inside.
One fun thing about paper mache bowls is that you can make them yourself. It’s a fun craft project. You can make any shape or size you want, and paint it however you like.
Paper mache bowls aren’t very strong. They can get squished or damaged easily. But they’re usually cheap, so it’s not a big problem if they get broken.
These bowls are good for holding light, dry things. They look nice with potpourri or dried flowers. Don’t put wet or heavy things in them, as this can damage the bowl.
9. Concrete Bowls
Concrete might make you think of sidewalks, but it can also make beautiful bowls. Concrete bowls have a modern, industrial look. They’re often smooth and gray, but they can be colored or textured too.
Concrete bowls are very heavy. This means they won’t move around on your table. But it also means you need to be careful when you lift them. They could hurt you if you drop them on your foot!
One cool thing about concrete bowls is that they often have little bubbles or imperfections. This makes each one unique. Some people really like this natural, handmade look.
You can use concrete bowls inside or outside. They won’t be hurt by sun or rain. This makes them good for patios or garden tables.
To clean concrete bowls, just wipe them with a damp cloth. Don’t use strong cleaners, as these can damage the concrete. If your bowl gets stained, you might need to use a special concrete cleaner.
10. Resin Bowls
Resin is a type of plastic that can be shaped into bowls. Resin bowls can be clear like glass, or they can be colored. Some have things embedded in them, like leaves or glitter.
One cool thing about resin bowls is that they can look like other materials. Some look like stone or wood, but they’re much lighter. This can be good if you want a certain look but don’t want a heavy bowl.
Resin bowls are strong and won’t break easily. This makes them good for homes with kids or pets. You don’t have to worry as much about them getting knocked over.
Some resin bowls change color in different lights. For example, they might look blue in daylight but purple under electric lights. This can make them fun and interesting to look at.
To clean resin bowls, you can usually just wipe them with a damp cloth. They don’t stain easily, so you can put all sorts of things in them without worry.
11. Mosaic Bowls
Mosaic bowls are made from lots of small pieces of material. These pieces might be glass, stone, or ceramic. They’re put together to make patterns or pictures.
Mosaic bowls can be very colorful. They often have intricate designs. Some tell stories or show scenes. Others have abstract patterns that are just pretty to look at.
One nice thing about mosaic bowls is that they can match many colors in your room. Because they have many small pieces, they often contain several different colors.
Mosaic bowls can be delicate. The small pieces might come loose if the bowl is dropped. But they’re usually sturdy enough for everyday use on a coffee table.
To clean mosaic bowls, use a soft cloth. Don’t scrub too hard, as this might loosen the pieces. If something gets stuck between the pieces, you can use a soft brush to gently clean it out.
12. Enamel Bowls
Enamel bowls are metal bowls covered with a special type of glass coating. This coating makes them smooth and often shiny. Enamel bowls can be plain white, or they can have bright colors and patterns.
One good thing about enamel bowls is that they’re very easy to clean. The smooth surface doesn’t hold onto dirt. You can usually just wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
Enamel bowls are strong, but the coating can chip if you drop them. Chipped areas might rust, so be careful with these bowls. Don’t use them for food if they’re chipped.
Many people like enamel bowls because they look old-fashioned. They might remind you of bowls your grandparents used. This can add a nice, nostalgic touch to your table.
Enamel bowls come in many sizes. You can find big ones for fruit, or tiny ones for jewelry or small objects. A set of different-sized enamel bowls can look nice grouped together on your table.
13. Leather Bowls
Leather bowls might sound strange, but they can be very stylish. They’re often made from stiff leather that’s shaped into a bowl form. Leather bowls can be many colors, from natural brown to bright dyed shades.
One nice thing about leather bowls is that they’re soft. You don’t have to worry about them scratching your table. They also make less noise if you set them down hard.
Leather bowls often get better looking as they age. The leather can develop a nice patina over time. This means the bowl might look even nicer after you’ve had it for a while.
Be careful not to get leather bowls wet. Water can stain or damage the leather. They’re best for holding dry things like keys, coins, or small decorative objects.
To clean leather bowls, you can wipe them with a dry cloth. If they get dirty, you might need to use special leather cleaner. Don’t use water or regular soap, as this can hurt the leather.
14. Porcelain Bowls
Porcelain is a type of ceramic that’s very smooth and often translucent. This means light can pass through it a little bit. Porcelain bowls are usually white or pale colors.
Porcelain bowls often look very delicate and fancy. They can make your coffee table look elegant. Many porcelain bowls have hand-painted designs that are very detailed and beautiful.
One nice thing about porcelain is that it’s very strong for its weight. Porcelain bowls are lighter than they look, but they’re still sturdy. However, they can chip or break if you drop them, so be careful.
Porcelain bowls are good for holding lightweight things. They look nice with potpourri or dried flowers. You can also use them to hold pretty soaps or small decorative objects.
To clean porcelain bowls, use warm water and mild soap. Don’t use harsh scrubbers, as these might scratch the smooth surface. Dry the bowl carefully to prevent water spots.
15. Teak Bowls
Teak is a type of wood that’s often used for outdoor furniture because it’s very strong and resists water. Teak bowls bring this durability to your coffee table.
Teak has a beautiful golden-brown color. Over time, if left untreated, it can turn a silvery gray color. Some people love this natural aging process. Others prefer to oil the wood to keep its original color.
One nice thing about teak bowls is that they’re very hard to damage. They won’t break if you drop them. They also resist scratches and dents better than many other types of wood.
Teak bowls often have beautiful grain patterns. Each bowl is unique because of the natural variations in the wood. This can make them interesting to look at and touch.
To clean teak bowls, you can use a damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, use special teak cleaner. Don’t soak teak in water, as this can damage the wood over time.
How to Choose the Right Bowl for Your Table
Picking the right decorative bowl for your coffee table can be fun. Here are some things to think about:
- Size: Make sure the bowl fits well on your table. It shouldn’t be so big that it takes up all the space, but not so small that it looks lost.
- Style: Choose a bowl that matches your room’s style. If your room is modern, a sleek metal or glass bowl might look good. If your style is more natural, a wooden or woven bowl could be perfect.
- Color: Think about what colors are already in your room. You can choose a bowl that matches these colors, or pick a contrasting color to make the bowl stand out.
- Purpose: Think about what you want to put in the bowl. If you want to hold fruit, a sturdy wooden or ceramic bowl might be best. If you just want something pretty to look at, you might choose a delicate glass or porcelain bowl.
- Weight: Consider how often you’ll need to move the bowl. If you like to change your table setup often, a lighter bowl might be better. If you want something that will stay in place, a heavier bowl could be good.
- Care: Think about how much time you want to spend taking care of the bowl. Some materials, like wood or leather, need special care. Others, like plastic or metal, are very easy to clean.
- Cost: Decorative bowls can cost different amounts. Think about how much you want to spend. Remember, an expensive bowl isn’t always better. You can find beautiful bowls at many price points.
- Personal taste: Most importantly, choose a bowl you really like! It should make you happy when you look at it.
How to Use Decorative Bowls on Your Coffee Table
Now that you know about different types of decorative bowls, let’s talk about how to use them on your coffee table.
- Centerpiece: A large, eye-catching bowl can be the main decoration on your table. Put it in the center and arrange other items around it.
- Groups: Using several bowls together can look nice. Try putting three bowls of different sizes or materials together. This can create an interesting display.
- Seasonal changes: You can change what’s in your bowls to match the seasons. In fall, fill a bowl with pinecones or colorful leaves. In summer, use seashells or bright flowers.
- Levels: Use bowls of different heights to create levels on your table. This can make your display more interesting to look at.
- Contrast: Try putting a bowl on a tray or placemat that’s a different color or material. This can make the bowl stand out more.
Whether you use your bowl to display pretty objects, hold practical items, or simply as a beautiful piece on its own, it’s sure to add a touch of style to your living room. So go ahead, find that perfect bowl, and give your coffee table the makeover it deserves!