The Purse Bowl Hack: Effortless Handbag Swapping Starts Here

A purse bowl is the ultimate handbag hack—just drop in your daily essentials and make swapping bags a breeze.

Whether you’re a handbag hoarder (guilty!) or just someone who’s tired of playing hide-and-seek with your keys, the purse bowl is about to become your new favorite organizing trick!

Eyeglasses going into purse bowl for handbag organization.

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If you’re anything like me, you love to change your handbag to go with your outfit. A casual denim day calls for the trusty crossbody bag, while dinner out means pulling out that polished top-handle bag.

And don’t even get me started on the thrill of matching your bag to your shoes just right. It’s a fashion moment!

A blue leather handbag purse with wrapped scarf on the handle.

But here’s the kicker: switching handbags every day was turning me into a hot mess express!

One day, I’d forget my wallet, but the next day, it was my reading glasses.

My lip balm went missing for a week.

And as for my favorite lipstick? I replaced it three times because I thought I’d lost it forever.

Spoiler alert: after going through a few handbags I hadn’t used in a while, I found them…

All of them!

Apparently, I’d been hoarding that shade like a squirrel stores nuts for winter. Let’s just say I don’t have to buy it again until at least 2030!

That’s when the heavens opened and the angels sang: I discovered the purse bowl hack!

The Purse Bowl: A Pretty Little Power Move

A purse bowl is exactly what it sounds like—an easy-access, stylish bowl or container that sits in a strategic spot (like near your front door) and holds the everyday essentials that float around in your handbag.

It’s like a cozy little landing pad for your must-haves, freeing you from the endless black hole of bag-switching chaos.

With your own purse bowl, you can simply empty the contents of today’s bag into the bowl and refill the next day’s handbag in a flash.

Emptying contents of green hangbag into a white purse bowl.
Filling a blue handbag with wallet, hairbrush, and lipsticks from purse bowl.

It’s honestly the perfect solution for anyone who wants to stay stylish and sane!

What Goes in a Purse Bowl?

Of course, this is totally up to you!

Here’s what I keep in mine:

  • Wallet
  • Sunglasses & reading glasses (usually multiple pairs)
  • A couple of (okay, three to five) lipsticks
  • Lip balm
  • Notepad + pen
  • My seasonal color palette deck (a girl’s gotta stay on-brand!)
  • Tissues
  • Travel-size hand lotion
  • Wireless earbuds

You can tailor yours to your lifestyle. Have kids? Toss in a granola bar or some Band-Aids.

Work remotely? Maybe a mini phone stand or a charger cord.

You do you!

Filling a black handbag with keys and eyeglasses from a blue glass purse bowl.

The Best Purse Bowl (Is the One You Love)

Now, not all bowls are created equal.

Look for one that’s wide and shallow—large enough to hold your essentials, but not so deep that things get buried. We’re not starting a second lipstick graveyard, right?

Here are some ideas:

  • A pretty ceramic pasta bowl (yes, really!)
  • A woven rattan tray for a natural touch
  • A vintage glass or crystal bowl for a glam vibe
  • A wooden dough bowl
  • A brass or metallic catchall for a little sparkle
  • Even a decorative, shallow basket can work

Bonus points if it’s something that makes you smile every time you see it!

Loading handbag items into a blue purse using the purse bowl hack.

Where Should a Purse Bowl Live?

You want your purse bowl to live in a dry place away from direct sunlight (because nothing good happens to full-grain leather wallets or your favorite lippy when it bakes in the sun).

Ideal spots include:

  • A console table near the front door
  • A shelf or bench in a closet
  • The top of a dresser in your bedroom
  • Even a designated spot in a home office, if that’s where your bag ends up

The goal is quick access. You want to be able to dump and reload in under a minute.

A blue glass bowl used as a purse bowl to hold contents of the day's handbag.

Free Us from the Purse Scramble

With a purse bowl, we can officially say goodbye to the last-minute purse scramble.

No more panicked “where’s my wallet?” moments.

No more arriving at Home Goods only to discover your gift card is in yesterday’s bag.

No more forgetting your sunglasses and having to squint like a pirate!

Plus, it gives your handbags a breather.

Want to give your best leather satchel a break? Let it rest gracefully on a shelf, knowing everything you need is safely nestled in your beautiful bowl, ready for tomorrow.

Placing eyeglasses from a purse bowl into a small blue crossbody handbag.

Let’s Be Honest…

It’s really just an excuse to use another bowl in your home décor. And you know what? I’m ok with that.

I will never turn down a chance to use a cute container!

What will you keep in your purse bowl? Let me know in the comments!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!

“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”

I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.

I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!

– cheers –

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Pin the image below to your boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!

Handbag organization purse bowl
An organized purse bowl.

Bowls, Baskets, Bags, Beauty

8 Comments

  1. Best idea I’ve seen on the internet, can’t tell you how many times I have forgotten lipstick and glasses. Lol

    1. LOL! Who knew such a simple little hack could make life so much easier! Have a great week, Heather!

  2. How disappointing. I thought you would talk about inserts for different bags to hold needed contents. Oh, well.

    1. Hi Nan, I’m so sorry that the post was a disappointment. I have seen the type of insert you have described and would be happy to research them for you. Just let me know! Wishing you a great week!

  3. I think your hack is wonderful. I’m retired now and only change my purse occasionally. But I do remember having shoes and purses that matched and changed daily for work. I have a bowl for my keys and my sunglasses. Living in Florida, I wear my sunglasses every time I leave the house. So adding your purse essentials would be a natural extension of that. Great post! #MMBC

    1. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best! I’m so glad you liked the post, Carol! Thank you for stopping by. Wishing you a great week!

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