Best Fruit Bowls & Baskets

There are hundreds of colors and designs to choose from, but fruit bowls and baskets can mainly be divided into six main categories. Needless to say, some work better with certain types of kitchen décor than others.

• Classic: simple things are often the best, and that's probably why the traditional bowl-shaped design is still one of the most popular. Often monochrome, it complements kitchens with a minimalist or Scandinavian aesthetic;

• Pedestal: just like the ones you find in still life, this slightly elevated version maintains the practicality f the classic bowl but adds a stylistic element that can make it more appropriate for traditional or mid-Century modern kitchens;

• Multipurpose: if you haven't always got enough fresh fruit to display and could do with optimizing your kitchen space, you might want to consider a fruit bowl that can also turn into a cake stand, bread basket, salad bowl, and so on; these usually follow the classic design, but are slightly flatter;

• Tiered: do you always end up buying so much fruit that you struggle to spread it evenly? Pick a layered design so that you can fit double (or triple!) the amount without revolutionizing your entire countertop;

• Hanging: not enough room on your kitchen counter at all? Hanging fruit baskets are the ultimate space optimizers, and they usually come in tiers;

"One of my favorite ways of creating more space ( is to store things vertically, rather than horizontally across my countertops. I've been relying on hanging baskets in my kitchen for storing everything from bread to bananas, and I love how they create space and structure at the same time." Says a chef, Laura Denby, in "Food & Wine"

• Innovative: there are also plenty of items that don't really fit within the traditional categories, such as spiral vertical baskets made of wire, fanned-out metal structures, or even foldable bowls! These unique designs can be conscious artistic additions to modern or industrial kitchens.

The importance of their shape goes beyond its aesthetic value! Here are some things to consider regarding the shape and size of your fruit bowl and basket:

• What type of fruit do you usually buy? A bowl won't automatically accommodate any type of fruit! If you usually stick to a specific fruit or the most common apple shape, then you can get creative with innovative designs. However, the largest fruits won't fit in some of the quirkiest ones, and the smallest could easily fall in between their gaps. If you usually mix and match, it might be better to stick to traditional designs;

• Will my fruit be crammed into this particular bowl? The safest bet is one that allows air circulation under the fruit; however, if the bowl is quite wide and you aren't planning on filling it with multiple layers, it will still work. As for size, investing in a large bowl when you only ever buy a handful of pieces per week will be just as impractical as trying to cram too much into a smaller one.

"Don't overload your fruit bowl. Use one piece of each kind of fruit to create a variety, dynamic decor and beautiful fountain of color."Decortips.com

There are three ways in which the material of a fruit bowl & basket makes the difference: aesthetics, ventilation, and fragility. While the first one is a matter of personal preference and depends on your existing kitchen décor, the last two are practical considerations.

• Wire mesh and ceramic bowls are the best options for preserving your fruit for longer;

• Plastic and non-metal mesh are usually cheaper, but can speed up fruit deterioration by making it sweat;

• The most durable fruit bowls are made of metal, wood or bamboo;

• Materials like glass, crystal or porcelain can create a sophisticated look, but keep in mind that they're extremely fragile; they might not be the best option if you have young children or adventurous cats lurking around.

Let's recap!

• Choose a style that matches your kitchen's décor as well as your practical needs.
• Multipurpose, hanging or tiered baskets are great space-saving options.
• If you're intrigued by a modern, innovative design, think of what types of fruit you can and cannot fit: does it match your usual purchases?
• When it comes to size, be realistic regarding the amount of fruit that you buy on a regular basis.
• Materials like wire mesh and ceramic can preserve your fruit for longer, whereas plastic and non-metal mesh can have the opposite effect.

Although serving bowls aren't the most popular types of tableware, they're still significantly useful. Not a lot of thought goes into choosing serving bowls. However, each type of serving bowl serves a purpose. Some are used to serve soup while others are meant for holding other meals such as appetizers.

Serving bowls come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and materials. Here, we offer tips to help you select the right serving bowls according to your needs and kitchen/dining room theme.

Glass

• Glass bowls are the most common types of serving bowls because of their versatility. You can serve anything you want in these simple yet classic designs.
• They're quite fragile, but easy to clean, affordable, and can be used in the microwave and dishwasher.

Ceramic

• Ceramic serving bowls are sturdier than glass, visually appealing, and can be used to serve all kinds of food.
• They can be used for decorative purposes because of their distinct style.
• Safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher.

Stoneware

• Stoneware is durable and suitable for everyday use.
• They come with unique designsand patterns and are safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher.

Earthenware

• Earthenware bowls are visually striking and can brighten up a kitchen or table setting's decor.
• Besides being unique and stylish, they are also durable and practical for everyday use.

Fine china

• Fine china serving bowls are extremely fragile but elegant and fine-looking.
• Most people choose to display their fine china bowls rather than using them regularly.
• They are mostly used for very special occasions.

Bamboo

• Bamboo is another popular material for serving bowls. This material is fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
• Commonly used for serving salads and need to be washed by hand.

Melamine

• Melamine bowls are inexpensive and come in various colors and decorative designs.
• They add character to the kitchen and dining table and are convenient for children.
• Dishwasher safe but not microwave safe as they can melt.

Plastic

• Plastic bowls are inexpensive and popular for storing food and serving meals such as cereals.
• Aren't safe to use in the microwave.

Whether you're serving soup, rice, appetizers, or other dishes, you'll need the right type of bowl to hold them.

• Most people use soup bowls regularly. As its name implies, they are used for eating soup. Nonetheless, these bowls are also meant to serve other dishes, such as stews.

• Salad bowls are large, generally made of glass or wood, and are used for presenting salads.

• A rice bowl can accommodate hot food and comes with a lid to keep the rice warm. 

• The right tableware to serve your cereal every morning would be a cereal bowl. Most cereal bowls are large and made of ceramic, melamine, or glass.

• Storage bowls come with lids and are typically used to store food in the refrigerator, but they can also be placed on your kitchen countertop for decor.

• Dip bowls are convenient for serving dip and fondue because of their curved shape. They also have a sleek design which makes them a great addition to a table setting during events.

• Candy bowls can easily be placed on countertops, coffee tables, and desks for your guests to enjoy. They have a neat design and are favorable for presenting candies and small snacks.

• Pasta bowls have a unique design compared to other types of serving bowls. They are perfect for holding all kinds of pasta and make the dish even more visually appealing.

• Decorative bowls come in all sorts of shapes and colors. They are mainly used for decorative purposes and add the visual appeal of a table setting.

Serving bowls can enhance the meal's presentation as well as your dining area's overall aesthetic

• Choose a serving bowl in a vibrant color such as red to add color to the area. You can also choose a bowl with border details to add persona while displaying the meal.

• For a subtle style, go for a simple clear, or white serving bowl. These are classic and chic at the same time. White bowls are also versatile and match all decor and home styles, whether contemporary or shabby chic.

• Porcelain and stoneware bowls are convenient for everyday use and typically fit well in traditional and simple homes.

• A colored dining room or kitchen would go well with serving bowls in neutral colors such as beige, while a neutral-colored area would look bright with colored bowls.