Designer catchall trays are small objects that help keep track of keys, coins, lighters and other items that tend to get scattered around the house. For those who appreciate design, they also offer a way to create a quiet arrangement on a shelf or to include an object with a pleasing tactile or visual quality.
A SELECTION OF DESIGNER CATCHALL TRAYS
This selection brings together catchall trays chosen for the way they combine function, form and material with a clear design sensibility. Some are by familiar names like Jasper Morrison and Angelo Mangiarotti, others come from manufacturers known for thoughtful, well-made objects.
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Pura, Poltrona Frau
This marble bowl, ideal for use as a catchall tray, was designed by Italian architect and designer Angelo Mangiarotti. The version in Carrara marble is a re-edition of the original, first produced in crystal by Poltrona Frau in 1988. It’s one of the pieces where Mangiarotti’s sculptural approach to design is most clearly expressed. The tray features walls of varying thickness, allowing light to filter through differently and highlighting the natural veining of the stone.
Vitra Rotary Tray
The Vitra Rotary Tray is a catchall designed by Jasper Morrison, the beloved British designer known for his book and exhibition Super Normal, co-created with Naoto Fukasawa. Morrison consistently creates objects that are useful, pleasing, and made from the ideal materials for their purpose. Most importantly, objects that do not seek to be loud or flashy. Instead, Morrison’s elegant designs cultivate an intelligent and sophisticated atmosphere without drawing undue attention. The same holds true for this designer catchall tray, produced by Vitra in an intriguing color palette. Made from recycled ABS plastic, its round shape and rotating top make it both versatile and playful.
Pietra, Salvatori
Salvatori, a Tuscan company active since 1946, is known for its contemporary approach to working with natural stone. This stone container, part of the Pietra L collection, reflects that vision: a minimal, precisely crafted object made from Pietra d’Avola marble with a walnut lid. Solid, understated and refined, it’s designed to hold small items with order and ease, whether placed in an entryway or elsewhere in the home. An example of everyday design where quality materials and functionality come together effortlessly.
Kaleido, Hay
The Kaleido tray, designed by Klara von Zweigbergk for the Danish brand Hay, comes in a range of geometric shapes and a contemporary color palette. Both practical and visually engaging, the trays can be arranged in various combinations or used on their own. The smaller sizes work well as decorative catchalls for keys, coins, cables and other everyday items, adding a light and playful tone to the space.
BOWL Aalto 75mm, Iittala
In 1936, architect Alvar Aalto designed the iconic Savoy Vase for Iittala, one of the most celebrated glass objects from the renowned Finnish glassworks. More importantly, it has become one of the most famous design vases worldwide. Alongside the famous freeform vase, Iittala and Aalto also introduced a series of bowls intended for use as decorative catchalls. Timeless and functional, these small Finnish bowls can bring order to any corner of the home while offering significant aesthetic appeal.
Platform Tray, Muuto
This tray by Muuto draws inspiration from Japanese forms and culture, reinterpreted through a contemporary Scandinavian perspective. The result is a clean, versatile object that works equally well as a serving tray or a decorative catchall. Made from lacquered laminate and molded ABS, it comes in a variety of colors. The gently raised edge gives it a subtle architectural quality, while the finish offers a smooth, almost ceramic feel to the touch..
Catu Meta Sculptures, Serax
Antonio Sciortino, a sculptor from Palermo, has been working with the Belgian brand Serax to produce a series of furniture, lighting and home accessories in iron, a material he first learned to shape in his father’s workshop. Their collaboration has led to the Metal Sculptures collection, a series of bowls, plates, trays and catchalls that have found both critical and commercial success. These pieces carry the presence of small-scale sculptures: lightweight yet sturdy, versatile in use and refined in form.
Impronta - Mano, Cassina
Designed in 1966 by Ico and Luisa Parisi and reissued by Cassina, Impronta is a ceramic set composed of a hand-shaped catchall and a vase formed from its negative. Made from glazed ceramic and finished by hand, the pieces come in red and white, black and white, and a special blue and white edition. With its pop-art palette and sculptural contrast of solid and void, Impronta stands out as a graphic, expressive object. Each piece is dated with both its original and reissue year.
Duck Bowl, 101 Copenhagen
Duck Bowl is one of the more recognisable pieces from 101 Copenhagen, the Danish brand known for its sculptural approach to everyday objects. Defined by soft forms and a muted palette, the collection balances organic lines with a certain irregularity. Duck Jar is part of a wider series of bowls and catchalls that share the same textured surface and ceramic finish. With their distinct character and careful detailing, these objects have quietly established a presence among collectors and design enthusiasts.
Regina Dish, AYTM
This stunning travertine catchall is part of the collection from another Danish producer defining contemporary design, AYTM. This versatile piece, which can be used as a catchall, tray, or decorative object, features a minimalist design that contrasts two pure geometric shapes: the circle and the square. Beyond its formal qualities, this catchall stands out for its material choice. The porosity of the travertine is maximized for both elegance and durability, creating an object that is as versatile as it is sophisticated.
