What Is The Viral 'Purse Bowl' Trend—and Is It The Solution For Chronic Clutter?

While entryway tables and trinket trays are no novelty, the organizational trend taking the internet by storm is the newest permutation of a catch-all space: the viral purse bowl. The idea, first shared on TikTok by @cocotakes, involves picking an aesthetic bowl or container to be a dedicated, temporary drop zone for the usual contents of your handbag — it's often placed in an entryway space or on top of a dresser. Instead of simply setting your purse down on the closest counter at the end of the day, you empty your must-have items — wallet, keys, phone, lip balm, headphones, and sunglasses — into the bowl. The next time you go out, you scoop these essentials up, place them in your bag, and head out on your way.

But why would you want to empty your purse only to refill it? A purse bowl creates a curated, centralized stash of favorite items that you take on the road with you. It makes the process of switching bags a quick and seamless task and encourages you to use the purses, clutches, totes, and backpacks in your wardrobe more readily rather than letting them sit on a shelf. It's an effective method for both organization and encouraging purse rotation. While it's not a new concept to create such a centralized space and roster of items, it's an attractive, aesthetically pleasing life hack that finds a place for all of your purse-y things. It's a way to keep your entryway clean and organized while sparking joy at the same time.

Choose a purse bowl that matches your style and decor and is big enough to fit all your bits; this could mean a trip to your favorite home goods shop or heading to the thrift store for trinket trays. Place your bowl where you'll use it, whether that's your entryway side table, countertop, or a surface in the bedroom. Then, be sure to actually utilize the bowl! Empty your purse out each night, depositing the things in the bowl that you know you'll want during your next purse change-out.

There are several benefits to the daily purse bowl ritual. First, you prevent your purses from becoming black holes of disorganized mess. How often have you lost a lip gloss or maybe even a few dollar bills in the countless pockets and folds of your everyday bag? By emptying your purse each night, you prevent clutter like old receipts, wrappers, and loose change from gathering in your bag, keeping your purses cleaner and preventing them from mysteriously eating your items. 

Second, and perhaps even more importantly, having a purse bowl eliminates that last-minute, frantic scramble for essentials when switching bags and trying to get out the door. The purse bowl has all your pieces immediately visible and ready to be scooped up into your new bag. It makes rotating bags a simple task, allowing you to easily use a different purse that works with your outfit or occasion without forgetting something vital. Another organizational bonus? The more you use your purses, the more likely you'll organize your handbags and minimize closet clutter too!