Skip to Main Content
Your Closest Ashley
W Dublin Granville Rd,Columbus
None

Decorative Bowls

1 - 30 of 48 products

No option selected

Sort

List View Icon Grid View Icon

Decorative Bowls FAQ

Decorative bowls are versatile accents in home design. They can move from room to room, serve different purposes with the seasons, and function as both practical storage and visual decor. Whether placed on a dining table, in an entryway, or on a kitchen counter, they add texture, color, and structure to flat surfaces.

If you are exploring options for your home, this FAQ can help. It covers common types of decorative bowls, practical filler ideas, and simple ways to use them effectively in any room.

What are the different types of decorative bowls?

When shopping for home decor, you’ll find decorative bowls in many materials and shapes. Knowing the main types can help you choose one that fits your style and space.

Common types of decorative bowls are:
  • Wooden Bowls Wooden bowls add warmth and natural texture. They are usually long, shallow, and slightly irregular in shape, which makes them a good fit for farmhouse, traditional, and transitional spaces, especially as centerpieces on long dining tables.
  • Glass Bowls Glass bowls have a lighter look and can help surfaces feel less crowded, which makes them useful on smaller tables. They come in clear, tinted, frosted, and textured styles, and a thick blown glass bowl can also serve as a focal point, especially in natural light.
  • Ceramic and Pottery Bowls Ceramic bowls are versatile and easy to match with many decor styles. They come in a wide range of colors, glazes, and finishes, from smooth, simple pieces to textured, hand-painted pottery, with matte finishes feeling more earthy and glossy glazes adding shine.
  • Marble and Stone Bowls Marble and stone bowls create a heavier, more substantial look and can add a polished touch to coffee tables and kitchen counters. Because these materials are heavy, they also work well as catch-all bowls for keys and wallets, and natural veining makes each piece unique.
  • Rattan and Woven Bowls Woven bowls made from rattan, seagrass, or wicker bring texture and a relaxed feel that suits coastal and bohemian styles. They are lightweight and durable, but the open weave means they cannot hold small items, powders, or liquids without a liner.
  • Pedestal and Footed Bowls Pedestal and footed bowls have a base that lifts the bowl above the table surface. This added height helps create variety on flat areas like kitchen islands and dining tables while bringing decorative items closer to eye level.
Ashley offers decorative bowls and trays in a variety of styles, materials, and shapes. You can find decorative bowls in wood, glass, ceramic, marble-look, woven, pedestal, and footed designs, along with decorative trays for coffee tables, ottomans, consoles, kitchen islands, and dressers.

How to choose the right decorative bowl?

Choosing the right bowl involves more than style. Consider the bowl’s size, purpose, and where you plan to place it.

Sizing and scale

Scale matters. A large dining table needs a bowl with enough presence to look balanced, while a small bowl can seem out of place. On the other hand, a heavy bowl may overwhelm a small or delicate surface. Measure the area first and choose a bowl that stands out without taking up too much usable space.

Food-safe considerations

If you want to use a bowl for fruit or snacks, make sure it is food-safe. Some decorative bowls have finishes that should not touch food directly. If a bowl is for display only, you can use a glass or plastic liner or fill it with faux fruit instead.

Matching the room's aesthetic

Match the bowl to the finishes and materials already in the room. In a space with metal, leather, and glass, a polished marble or glass bowl may fit better than a rustic wood bowl. In a softer room with linens and natural wood, rattan or matte ceramic often works better than a bright, high-gloss piece.

What do you put in decorative bowls?

Once you have selected a bowl, the next question is naturally: what do you put in decorative bowls, and it depends on the bowl’s shape, size, and material. Some bowls themselves are works of art, such as polished aluminum with an abstract edge. These bowls, especially when grouped in a pair or a trio, add an energizing and contemporary flair to your décor.

However, other styles of decorative bowls are wonderfully versatile. Glass decorative bowls, for instance, can provide a display space for seashells from a memorable vacation or prove to be both stylish and functional. Use them instead of vases to hold dried or fresh flowers, or set out an arrangement of fresh apples or clementines for a fresh scent and a gentle reminder of a healthy snack.

Designers use an array of items in decorative bowls. We’ve noticed designers corralling antique trinkets such as coins, cuff links, bells, buttons, or brooches in a bowl for an eye-catching display and practical storage. Vintage glass fishing buoys make a colorful splash in glass, metal, or wire decorative bowls, especially in cottage or industrial decor.

Decorative bowls also make seasonal decorating incredibly easy. Instead of changing your entire room, you can simply swap out the bowl fillers.

How to use decorative bowls around the home?

Knowing what goes inside the bowl is only part of the process. Where you place a decorative bowl and how you style it can improve both function and appearance.

Styling a dining table centerpiece

A large decorative bowl works well as a dining table centerpiece, but it should not block sightlines across the table. For rectangular tables, try a long wooden dough bowl filled with decorative orbs or faux greenery. Add two taper candles or a tall, slender vase to bring in height and keep the display interesting.

Organizing a coffee table

A decorative bowl can help contain everyday coffee table clutter like remotes, coasters, and magazines. Place a medium bowl on a stack of coffee table books to make it feel more intentional. You can also style it inside a tray with a candle and a small artificial plant. For a cleaner look, group items in odd numbers and choose a few larger fillers instead of many small ones.

Managing kitchen countertops and islands

In the kitchen, decor should stay practical. A footed bowl is a smart option for a counter or island because it raises the contents and keeps the surface looking open. Use a ceramic or wire bowl for fruit, or place one near the stove to hold garlic or shallots for easy access.

Creating an entryway catch-all

An entryway bowl can give keys, wallets, and other small items a consistent place to land. A shallow bowl in wood or marble works well on a console table near the front door. To keep the setup balanced, place the bowl on one side and a taller piece, like a lamp or vase with branches, on the other.

Where can I find unique decorative bowls?

You can find unique decorative bowls at Ashley. Ashley offers decorative bowls in a range of styles, sizes, and finishes, making it easier to choose a piece that fits your space, complements your decor, and works well as a centerpiece or accent on tables, shelves, and countertops. Whether you prefer a modern look or something more classic, decorative bowls can help tie a room together while adding visual interest. They can also be used to display seasonal accents or stand alone as a simple finishing touch.

How to style rooms with decorative bowls?

When you’re wondering how to style decorative bowls, take inspiration from your taste and other accent pieces, such as wall decor. If you like metallic accents or a contemporary look, check out a bowl with a metallic finish or one with a neutral finish but a metallic interior. A decorative glass bowl with brushes of pastels suits a modernist aesthetic, whether empty on a mantel, filled with hydrangeas in a complementary shade, or appearing lit from within while nestled under an accent lamp.

For a more rustic, farmhouse, or minimalist style, pair framed wall art such as botanical prints or similar canvas art with narrow wooden decorative bowls, also called dough bowls because their shape evokes images of a loaf of bread. Fill them with items of similar material, such as billiard balls or stone hearts, or natural items, such as pieces of sea glass or driftwood.

Speaking of nature, decorative bowls also offer an easy way to add seasonal color and flair. A decorative bowl of lemons or limes adds a zesty touch to any room in the spring. Exchange the citrus for dried gourds or walnuts in the fall for cozier appeal.

Need more inspiration? Drop by the Ashley store near you to see how our designers put decorative bowls to attractive use.

Show more

For additional details on the offers on this page, click here to learn more.

In-store Only: No interest for 60 months
On in-store purchases made with your Ashley Advantage® Synchrony credit card. Equal monthly payments required for 60 months. Minimum purchase may be required. Down payment up to 30% may be required on another payment type for in-store purchases.

Not combinable with other offers and discounts. If any down payment is required, the qualifying purchase amount is determined prior to any down payment, taxes or delivery. Qualifying purchase amount, less any applicable down payment, must be on one receipt. No interest will be charged on amount financed and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the initial amount financed, divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months' rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts: As of 7/31/2025 Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval. Excludes Samsung appliances and electronics. Discounts on Regular Price items may be available depending on the payment method or promotional financing offer you select. For more information on our Regular Price discounts or for additional promotional financing options, see a sales associate for details. 

Zero interest if paid in full within 2 years‡*
On qualifying purchases made with your Ashley Advantage® Synchrony credit card. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional balance is not paid in full within 24 Months. Minimum monthly payments required. Minimum purchase of $1499 required online.

‡*Qualifying purchase amount must be on one receipt. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 7/31/2025: Purchase APR 34.99%. Penalty APR 39.99%. Min Interest Charge $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval. Discounts on Regular Price items may be available depending on the payment method or promotional financing offer you select. For more information on our Regular Price discounts or for additional promotional financing options, see a sales associate for details.

$1 to Start‡^
‡^“$1 to start” is available for applications online and in select stores, does not include taxes, & refers to the rental period from agreement start date to 1st scheduled renewal payment. On 1st renewal date, regular rental rates, taxes & fees will apply. Rate, term and total cost vary by item selected. This is not a promotion for a specific transaction/item nor an offer for a loan, credit, or financing. See lease for payment amounts & rental terms. Offer will not reduce the number of payments, total amount to acquire ownership, or purchase option amount. Customers in California will pay a $0 initial rent payment and a $1 processing fee to start.

Email & SMS Welcome Offer: $50 off your next purchase^†
^†Use the promo code provided for $50 off your purchase of $999.99 or more at participating Ashley-branded stores or at checkout on www.ashleyfurniture.com. Previous purchases excluded. Minimum purchase amount must be met in a single transaction before taxes and delivery fees. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Offer excludes clearance/closeouts, floor models, furniture protection plans, warranty, service charges, or Purple, Beautyrest Black®, Sealy Conform™, Tempur-Pedic®, Nectar, Stearns & Foster®, Serta® iComfort®, Sealy® Hybrid™, Serta® Motion Essentials® and Serta® Motion Perfect® product purchases. Offer is nontransferable and does not apply to sales tax, shipping, In-Home Delivery, or handling charges. Prices or offers may vary in Hawaii and Alaska. Ashley-branded stores may be owned and operated by Ashley Global Retail, LLC (or subsidiaries), or independent licensees. See store associate for more details. Offer expires 30 days after coupon issued online at 11:59pm EST.