Struggling to stay organized with multiple purses, totes, and backpacks? Meet the purse bowl, the TikTok-viral home organization hack that’s taking over nightstands and entryway tables everywhere. This simple yet stylish trick helps you stop losing your essentials – keys, phone, lip balm, wallet – while adding a chic touch to your home. Whether you’re a student, a mom on the go, or just purse-obsessed, this trend could seriously upgrade your daily routine.

Let’s do some girl math. 

In my tote bag and purse rotation, I own three canvas totes (of course), a cute sand-colored beach bag for carrying my laptop, one backpack for classes and overnights, and one sleek black, cross-body mini-bag. 

Let’s complicate the equation. If I had a dollar for every time I lost my keys, phone, wallet, or the occasional lip balm, I could buy a Birkin. 

How can I get good use out of all my bags while not losing anything? 

The answer is here: The Purse Bowl.

A purse bowl? 

Yes, a purse bowl. It’s a decorative bowl that sits on your nightstand or in the foyer and holds your essential items. Think: keys, phone, wallet, makeup, sunscreen, loose change, and sunglasses. Purse bowls are the low-key luxury item you didn’t know you needed – until now.

How it works

Whatever you put in your purse for the day gets emptied into your purse bowl at night. No more panicked searches before you head out the door—everything you need is in one place.

That favorite lip gloss or the $20 bill you forgot about (because it was hiding in a tote from last spring)? Now it’s findable. You’ll get more use out of your entire bag rotation, instead of relying on the same one just because it holds your essentials.

A purse bowl encourages us to be intentional and take good care of our belongings, while also being a great organizational tool for the girl on the go.

A gentle warning for the maximalists

I’m a proud two-trips-to-the-car kind of girl – groceries, bags, feminine products (just in case) – you name it. So naturally, I love a good purse bowl. It’s meant to keep your space tidy and your brain clutter-free. But I also like to be very prepared, and sometimes… yeah, my purse bowl looks like my bag straight-up vomited into it. Oops.

If your bowl starts leaning more chaotic than chic, a closed basket might suit you better. No judgment – just fewer stray receipts on display.

Try it yourself

First, dump out the contents of your purse.

Be honest about what you actually use every day. Then decide what size bowl you’ll need and where it should live in your space.

For the moms out there, this could double as a self-care kit for your diaper bag – or just be a designated diaper station with its own bin.

Then, acquire your purse bowl.

You can shop for decorative bowls at Amazon, Anthropologie, or Target if you’re feeling fancy. Want something more low-key? Repurpose a dish or basket you already own – or go vintage and thrift one.

Location, location, location

Where you place your purse bowl depends on your routine. You want it to simplify your life, not add extra steps.

Maybe keep it near the door, or in your bedroom where you get ready each morning. Or maybe you want it right next to your purse collection.

There’s no wrong answer… as long as it works for you.