Catch-All Trays and Bowls: How to Choose One for the Entryway or Coffee Table

A catch-all tray or bowl gives loose items a home and gives a table something to look at. The trick is choosing the right size and style for the spot. We carry two options with very different looks, and here is how to pick.

Option 1: Spiral Lattice Decorative Bowl

The Spiral Lattice Decorative Bowl is $35. It has an open spiral weave in matte black and measures about 8.7 inches wide. It works as a sculptural centerpiece or a catch-all, and it is lightweight yet sturdy. It is for decorative use only and not for direct food contact.

Option 2: Ribbed Pedestal Tray

The Ribbed Pedestal Tray has a clean white ribbed bowl on a warm wood-tone base. It works as a key tray, a living room catch-all, a bathroom organizer or a styling piece. It comes in three sizes:

  • Small: 6.9 inches (175 mm)
  • Medium: 7.9 inches (200 mm)
  • Large: 9.8 inches (250 mm)

Prices range from $35 to $60 depending on size. It is also decorative use only.

How to Choose by Location

  • Entryway or console: the small or medium pedestal tray keeps keys and sunglasses contained. Pair it with a key holder on the wall.
  • Coffee table: the lattice bowl or the large pedestal tray anchors a stack of books or a few objects.
  • Bathroom or vanity: the pedestal tray is listed as a bathroom organizer, so a small size suits a counter.
  • Dining table or shelf: either works as a centerpiece with a little negative space around it.

How to Choose by Style

The lattice bowl is bold and graphic. Its matte black looks sharp against a light table, wood or marble. The pedestal tray is softer, with a white ribbed texture and a warm base, and suits calmer, neutral rooms. If your room already has a lot of black, add the pedestal tray for balance, and if it is mostly cream and wood, the lattice bowl adds contrast.

Tips for Using Them

  1. Keep the contents small and few, so the piece still looks like decor.
  2. Leave an empty inch or two around the edge of the tray on the table.
  3. Group the tray with one taller item, like a vase, for height.

For a full entryway plan, read our guide to setting up a drop zone with a key tray. For tabletop ideas, see building a neutral, black and gold coffee table. Shop the Vases, Bowls & Trays collection to see more.

Every order ships from Atlanta, GA, and most orders ship within 1 to 3 business days.