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Drew Michael Scott, the creator also known as Lone Fox, had no shame when he recently admitted he shopped his own homewares site. As he unboxed his picks for his Instagram followers in a Reel last week, one particular item caught our eye—and it wasn’t the faux canvas pumpkin. The first piece he pulled out was a white resin vase that’s meant to look like it’s woven. “I want to put my kitchen utensils in this; I think this would be perfect,” Scott said as he examined the vessel a little more closely. What a genius idea, we thought. Search for utensil holders and you’re bound to find a bunch of cylindrical white marble or ceramic containers that all look the same. So why not swap it out for something more chic?
Turns out, a lot of vases out there are up to the task. From our own research, we found that most standard utensil holders are at least 6 inches tall so that they can accommodate lengthy spatulas and skimmers. The trick is not going too high (12 inches max), as you’ll run the risk of knocking everything over when you go to grab a whisk in the heat of the moment. Other parameters that are important to consider: A utensil vase should have a wide enough opening to fit lots of tools but not so wide that you lose smaller tongs or paddles at the bottom. It also shouldn’t be something that’s so precious or pricey that it’ll stress you out anytime food gunk gets on it. Glass is a no-no for obvious reasons. Ahead, we rounded up seven vases that’ll contain your kitchen accoutrements in style.
The DIYer-Approved One
Height: 10¼ inches
Material: Resin
The distressed vessel Scott sells is ideal if you’ve invested in nice-looking utensils—the large holes will show them off.
The One That Triples as a Watering Can
Height: 6¾ inches
Material: Galvanized steel
When all your kitchenware is in the dishwasher, don’t let this container just sit around on the counter: You can use it to water your plants thanks to the tapered spout.
The One That’ll Be a Hit With Chefs
Height: 7½ inches
Material: Mirror-polished stainless steel
Stainless steel is a timeless choice for countertops, appliances, and cabinets (restaurants love it because it’s durable and hygienic). Keep the tradition alive with this Georg Jensen design that harkens back to 1931.
The One That’ll Blend In With Sage Cabinets
Height: 9 inches
Material: Ceramic
When Studio McGee and Loeffler Randall released their collaboration this summer, they brought us ruffles galore—and not just in the form of tablecloths. The scalloped edges of this trendy green vessel will encourage your utilitarian whisks and tongs to fall in the most elegant way.
The One That Only Looks Hand-Thrown
Height: 8 inches
Material: Stoneware (30% of which is recycled)
While we recommend steering clear of irregularly shaped vases in the kitchen, this unusual option still boasts a sturdy 4¼-inch-wide base, which should prevent it from toppling.
The One That Checks the Unexpected Red Theory Box
Height: 8½ inches
Material: Ceramic
TikTok’s unexpected red theory states that adding one red thing to a space where it might not seem to belong will actually make the space look better. We can’t look at this oxblood vessel and imagine any other outcome.
The Sustainable One
Height: 8 inches
Material: 3D-printed polylactic acid
Don’t let its harsh name fool you: Polylactic acid (PLA) is a type of plastic that comes from renewable resources such as cornstarch and sugarcane and is even biodegradable under the right conditions. If the glass lining makes you nervous, simply pop it out—it’s removable.