Introduction

Do you only use bowls for basic tasks in the kitchen, like cooking and serving food? Then it’s time to discover decorative glass bowls as an option not just for your kitchen but for a dining room, a bar counter, or a living room accent table. This article explores various types of bowls, how they can change a room, and the exciting ways in which you can utilize them. 

Why Decorative Glass Bowls Improve the Aesthetics of a Space

Visual Appeal

Glass bowls can be more than just functional vessels. Decorative glass bowls, such as Murano Glass ones, add style and sophistication to a room and have the ability to change its personality. For example, a crystal glass bowl will add a shimmering glow to a space. Handblown glass bowls are made using a wide range of techniques, offering different shapes, patterns, and colors. This gives you a wide choice of bowls that can be matched to the style and decor of different rooms. 

Because decorative glass bowls are stunning, the eye is immediately drawn to them. Place one in the center of your dining table, and it will become a talking point. Put one in your hallway, and your friends will be introduced to your style even before they sit down. You can even take away the mere functionality of a bathroom by placing soaps in a beautiful glass bowl.

The Work of Skilled Artisans

Blown glass can be either mass-produced or handblown. Handblown glass has more character and is of better quality than mass-produced glass. It is made by skilled artisans, and each piece is unique. Such a piece of glass will stand out in your home and improve its aesthetic value.

Maybe you have a favorite artisan. If so, why not collect decorative glass bowls made by him or her and furnish different rooms with them? The overall look and style of the artisan will shine throughout your home. 

Vessels for a Multitude of Purposes

Decorative glass bowls can be used for many purposes, not just for fruit. You can also change what you put in them according to the seasons or special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. We’ll take a look at some unique uses later in this article.        

What Styles of Decorative Glass Bowls are There?

Modern

Modern glass bowls are often minimalist with geometric shapes or sleek lines. Square bowls with straight sides and sharp corners, and triangular bowls with sharp angles provide a contemporary look. Clear crystal is often used to make modern glass bowls, as is glass with shimmering metallic elements.

Vintage

Vintage glass bowls can be ornate or antique-inspired. They are often made with colored glass, which can be textured. Vintage glass bowls can be traditionally round and have delicate floral patterns. 

Rustic 

Rustic decorative glass bowls have an earthy quality and are often textured with a slightly rough finish. They come in colors such as browns, greens, and beiges.

Bohemian

Bohemian decorative glass bowls are usually colorful and bright, with vibrant patterns and decorations. Think of swirling colors and adornments such as beads and jewels. 

Murano Glass Techniques

However, despite these general styles, it is interesting to note that many of the Murano glass techniques transcend time. Many techniques that were invented centuries ago have been resurrected and are as popular now as they were then. Let’s take a look at some of these techniques.

Millefiori

Millefiori means ‘a thousand flowers’ in Italian and was invented in the 17th century. It was then forgotten until the second half of the 19th century, when it again became popular. To produce this style of glass, a bundle of thin glass rods of different colors are heated until they fuse. When cooled, this is sliced in cross-sections to produce small disks with flowery patterns. It is still a popular technique used to make decorative glass bowls.   

Sommerso

Sommerso is another Murano technique used to make decorative glass bowls. It was originally created in the 1930s by Carlo Scarpa for the company Venini. Sommerso, which means ‘submerged’ in Italian, is where a layer of glass is overlaid on top of another layer, usually of a different color. Sometimes, more layers are added for extra effect. 

Bullicante

Bullicante became popular in the 1930s due to the glass artisan, Archimede Seguso. This technique involves inserting several layers of air bubbles into thick glass. It makes the glass seem effervescent, which is a stunning look for a decorative glass bowl. 

Unusual Uses For Decorative Glass Bowls

Christmas Decorations

The holiday season is the perfect time to utilize your decorative glass bowls. Fill them with ornaments and let the sparkle and glitter intensify the Christmas aesthetic in the room. An alternative is to place Christmas candles in a bowl to add a warm glow to your space. Just be sure that the bowl is heat-resistant. Another idea is to place the bowl in the center of a Christmas wreath. 

Easter Decorations

Christmas is not the only holiday when you can make your decorative glass bowls seasonal. Easter is another opportunity for you to change the aesthetic of your space. Fill a large glass bowl with either chocolate Easter eggs or painted hard-boiled eggs. They will look good either on your coffee table or as a centerpiece on your dining table. If you have small glass bowls, why not fill them with chocolate eggs and put them in each place setting so that your guests can take the eggs home as a small party favor?

Decorative Stones

If your room has a rustic design, a textured glass bowl with decorative stones adds a natural element. Alternatively, for a tranquil and soothing focal point in the room, fill the glass bowl with water, colorful pebbles, and flower petals. It could make the room the ideal place for meditation or yoga. 

Seashells

If your home is close to the sea, why not take a walk along the beach and collect seashells. Fill a transparent or light blue glass bowl with them and bring the seashore to your home. 

Terrarium

To give your guests the impression that you are a skilled gardener, create a terrarium. All you need is some soil, some interesting pebbles or rocks, and a few plants. It will be far more interesting and charming than a simple plant in a pot. Alternatively, plant succulents in a glass bowl and use this as a striking centerpiece on your dinner table.

Candles and Tea Lights

Candles are not just for Christmas. You can showcase candles at any time of the year. Get a shallow, round glass bowl and place matching candles in it. When you light them, your room will take on an elegant and sophisticated ambiance. 

Alternatively, pour water into your decorative glass bowl and float lighted tea lights in it. The flickering lights will bring warmth and style to any room. Place the bowl in the center of the dinner table and dim the lights to create a cozy or romantic atmosphere. Place the bowl in the bathroom and enjoy a relaxing bath.

Candy

Decorative glass bowls make attractive candy dishes. Put one in your living room or hallway, and it will certainly make a cheerful impression on your guests. Fill a brightly patterned glass bowl with colorful candies or place connoisseur chocolates in a transparent bowl. 

Jewelry

Place your jewelry or other personal items in a frosted glass bowl to add sophistication and elegance to your bedroom.

Soaps/Bathroom Essentials

A clear glass bowl is the perfect vessel for soaps or colorful bath salts. You could also place cotton balls, makeup, and other bathroom essentials in glass bowls. The bowls can transform a plain bathroom into an elegant space. 

Salad Bowl

A clear, round bowl is perfect for serving a colorful salad. Alternatively, use a shallow, round glass bowl as a tray for appetizers.   

What Design Elements Affect the Use of Decorative Glass Bowls?

Shape   

The shape of a decorative glass bowl can dramatically change the overall impression of the room and create options for its use. A round bowl is timeless and elegant, while a geometric bowl is contemporary. At Christmas, place older handblown glass ornaments in a round bowl, while a square bowl would suit modern Christmas decorations.     

A fluted bowl introduces a feeling of movement and may suit seashells as a reminder of the ever-moving sea. A cylindrical bowl is sophisticated and can be a good vessel for decorative stones layered in different colors. 

Even slight variations in shape can alter the overall impression a glass bowl creates and what it can be used for, so think ahead before buying.

Color

The visual impact of a glass bowl is also affected by color. Clear glass lets light pass through, showcasing the bowl’s shape and what is in it. Transparent glass is a good medium for something like a terrarium, where you want the contents to be seen at all times. 

While clear glass gives a feeling of lightness, colored glass adds richness to the room. Use a colored glass bowl as a centerpiece on your dinner table. Fill it with candles for a touch of sophistication.  

The color of the bowl can affect the mood of the room. A red decorative glass bowl conveys vibrancy while a light blue bowl evokes tranquility.

Patterns

The choice of pattern affects the style of the bowl, with intricate floral designs lending themselves to traditional aesthetics while simple geometric patterns are more contemporary. This, in turn, will affect the usage of the bowl. Vintage jewelry, for example, would suit a bowl with intricate patterns, while long, plain candles would suit a simply patterned bowl. 

Conclusion

As we have seen, decorative glass bowls can be used for a multitude of purposes, not just for fruit. Match the bowl to your decor and to what you put in it, and see how the aesthetics of your space change for the better.