7 Actually Useful Table Accessories That You Didn’t Know You Needed

Table accessories are often overlooked yet play a crucial role in enhancing our dining experiences. While some common items like plates, bowls, and glasses are widely known, there exists a world of lesser-known table essentials that can truly transform your culinary adventures.

In this article, we'll unveil seven of these hidden gems, each offering unique benefits that will make your meals more enjoyable and efficient.

The first item we will introduce is a Bizen ware toothpick holder. This item features button-like designs on both sides and a distinctive handle design, giving it the appearance of a small bag.

Bizen ware is renowned for its exquisite colors and patterns created by the kiln's flames, making each piece truly unique. This technique involves high-temperature firing without glaze, enhancing durability and water resistance.

The toothpick holder is a versatile item due to its compact size and convenient shape. It can be used as a mini vase for displaying small fresh or dried flowers, adding an accent to dining tables or living spaces. Additionally, it is suitable for organizing and storing small items such as stationery, q-tips, and candies.

The overlapping ends of the Bizen ware toothpick holder are decorated with a button-like pattern, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of the kiln. The stoneware has a warm texture, providing a comforting feel every time you hold it.

Its clothing-inspired design is eye-catching, making it a focal point of conversation when placed on a table or kitchen counter. This unique piece enhances the enjoyment of everyday meals.

Next, let's take a look at some unique wooden items. This tray is ideal for arranging seasonings. It is lightweight and equipped with a handle, making it easy to carry. The tray is made from a type of wood known as nezuko, which is noted for its durability and resistance to decay, as well as its minimal shrinkage and deviation. The natural wood's smooth sheen and beautiful grain patterns are visually appealing.

During tea or coffee time, you can organize sugar, milk, and lemon slices on the tray for serving. This makes tea time more enjoyable and convenient. Additionally, if you enjoy alcoholic beverages, you can prepare drinks in the kitchen and place them on this tray to enjoy cocktail time in your favorite spot.

This container's deep brown color and rounded design convey a classic and warm feel. It comes equipped with a tiny spoon for convenience, and the lid features a notch so it can close with the spoon still in place. Placing this spice container on the condiment tray we mentioned earlier creates a cohesive look in your kitchen or table setting.

Beyond its attractive design, the container's functionality shines through. It's perfect for storing a variety of seasonings, like the classic shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice) or chopped green onions. You can also use it to neatly store nuts, dried fruits, or even small snacks, enhancing both the practicality and enjoyment of your daily routines.

These perfectly sized Kutani ware soy sauce dispensers offer a range of designs that will bring a traditional charm and attention to detail to your dinner table. Traditional patterns and lucky symbols appear in the vibrant overglaze called gosai, literally meaning “five-colored” over snow-white porcelain. Each tiny bottle comes with a stopper accented with a color that matches the elaborately decorated base.

Kutani ware is known and loved for the heavy brilliance of its color palette and its long history of over 350 years. Its production once ceased at the start of the 18th century, but was revived 100 years later and is now as popular as ever.

Using this soy sauce dispenser to enjoy sushi will make you feel as if you're dining in a sophisticated restaurant setting. It can be used for not only pouring soy sauce but also other liquid condiments, such as salad dressings, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pancake syrup, and honey. Enjoy your meal with this elegant item.

This compact mortar is very easy to use and takes up little space on the table. It is decorated with a two-color tokusa pattern and adds a nice accent to the dining table. Tokusa refers to a plant and a vertical stripe pattern that has been cherished since the Edo period (1603 CE–1868 CE) as a symbol of growth and prosperity, celebrated for its straight and upward growth.

When you use a surikogi, Japanese pestle, this lovely mortar enhances the flavors of ingredients like herbs and sesame, sansho, Japanese pepper through grinding. Garlic, herbs, and lemon zest can also be crushed with this mortar to make a base for various dressings and sauces.

Finally, we would like to recommend unique coasters made from tatami crafted from natural igusa, Japanese rush. When you hold one close to your face and breathe in gently, you'll be treated to a calming, faint aroma, similar to the experience of reclining on a tatami mat in a traditional Japanese environment. The addition of tatami-beri, tatami ribbon fabric, which features classic motifs like cherry blossoms and hemp leaves, adds a delightful touch to each piece.

These elegant coasters are practical, treated with a water-resistant coating, making them suitable for supporting drinkware such as glasses and tea cups. They can be also used to place under small objects such as vases or interior decorations.

This article has featured seven less-familiar table accessories that enhance the convenience of dining. Whether it's a meal at home or hosting guests, these accessories will enrich the occasion, making every dining experience more delightful.