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Dorie Chevlen is a writer covering home design. Her subjects have included scented candles, makeup mirrors, and—her favorite—popcorn makers. necklace mannequin
When I was a little kid, the only thing I enjoyed more than borrowing my mom’s jewelry was sorting through her jewelry box. I liked the organizational wonder of it, each ring nestled into its own soft nook, each bracelet at rest in its right compartment, every piece undisturbed by the clasps or gems of its neighbors. Probably because I was still sharing a room with my tornado of a sister, I felt peace knowing that my mom could wake up each morning, open the lid of that box, and pull out her wedding ring, her favorite gold pendants, her Snoopy watch—and everything would be right where she’d left it.
As a staff writer on the home-decor team, I’ve written about storage solutions in our coverage of small bedrooms and closets. And in my everyday life, I wear a variety of jewelry—vintage clip-on earrings, dainty gold chains, chunky chokers—all of which I insist on keeping organized.
With its playful spherical knobs and rounded edges, this jewelry box is a cheerful addition to any bedroom (but it doesn’t store very much).
Who this is for: The whimsy chaser who doesn’t have much jewelry to store.
Why it’s great: Playful but not childish, pretty but not prissy, the Areaware Jewely Jewelry Box is the aesthetic compromise between what I would have wanted as a child and what I want now as an adult. The curved lines, cheery knobs, and playful cork-board lining are just plain fun. And I love that your own reflection greets you in the mirror on the underside of the lid. The little tray inside the box can slide side to side or be lifted out, allowing access to the lower compartment.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The lower compartment is only half an inch deep, and the upper tray is only a third of an inch deep—both are too shallow to store chunkier pieces without hitting the upper tray or the mirror. And though the cork isn’t likely to scratch jewelry, it’s not the soft fabric lining our experts recommend for storing daintier or pricier pieces. Beyond the box’s small size, it has only three compartments, so it’s better suited to housing rings and earrings, as opposed to necklaces or bracelets with delicate chains that can tangle.
Dimensions: 10.5 by 7.5 by 2.5 inches Finishes/colors: cream with red knobs, blue with cream knobs Material: MDF (medium density fiberboard), metal hinge and hardware, mirror, cork, plastic feet
Made by a historic company, this gorgeous box has considered every storage detail, and its price reflects that.
Who this is for: A curator with a small-ish collection of jewelry who prefers to keep it right where they can see it.
Why it’s great: Wolf has been making jewelry boxes since 1834, and as far as I can tell, the company has earned its stellar reputation: Its Sophia Jewelry Box is genuinely beautiful, with thoughtful, impeccably constructed organizational elements. It has two removable watch cushions; walled cubes for small bracelets, pins, and earrings; rows of rolls for rings and cuff links; and long compartments for necklaces. And thanks to its glass lid, you can see everything when the box is closed. All of the compartments are lined in soft cloth, which not only prevents scratches but also protects against tarnishing. This box comes in four colors. (You’ll also find a slew of other sizes, styles, and configurations on Wolf’s site.)
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Because of its glass top, this box shouldn’t be stored near a window, particularly if you have tarnish-prone metals, like sterling silver, or light-sensitive stones, like opals, amethysts, or pearls. Jewelry expert Grant Mobley told me that with some gemstones and pearls, prolonged exposure to UV rays could cause discoloration or drying out.
Dimensions: 14 by 10 by 2.75 inches Finishes/colors: rose quartz, jade, midnight, forest green Material: leather, glass, fabric lining
This ornate vessel is shaped like a cigar box, yet inside it has space for efficient jewelry organization. And it will liven up any corner of your home.
Who this is for: Someone with a flair for the dramatic and who wants to splurge on a unique piece.
Why it’s great: Jonathan Adler’s Eden Lacquer Jewelry Box is an art object that invites curiosity. Depending on where you place it—atop your bedroom dresser, on a desk, or on the coffee table in your den—your guests might wonder if it contains cigars or candies (or maybe just a TV remote). And it’s excellent at its real job, too. There are six hooks on the underside of the lid, each one hefty enough to hold a few necklaces (depending on their thickness), and an elastic pouch underneath the hooks keeps everything securely in place. At the base of the box, you’ll find small, fabric-lined compartments for earrings, two large squares for bracelets, and two rolls for rings. A tasseled key locks and unlocks your wares, keeping the mystery alive. The box is available in several designs (and if you love the look of these jewelry holders but want to store something else instead, there are great general-purpose lacquer boxes on the site as well).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This designer box is the most expensive one we recommend (by about $100), but Jonathan Adler fans may justify the cost in order to own one of his creations.
Dimensions: 11.25 by 7.25 by 2.5 inches Finishes/colors: red serpent, blue serpent, zebra, winking, basket weave, sorrento Material: lacquered wood, brass key plate, velvet lining
This elegant, mid-century-style jewelry box has a subtle gold sheen, and it offers some of the best organization of any boxes we tested.
Who this is for: The jewelry collector who has a generous assortment of pieces.
Why it’s great: Based purely on aesthetics, the medium-size West Elm Mid-Century Champagne Lacquer Jewelry Box is a stunner. Its sharp lines and simple silhouette are classic, and the shiny champagne finish keeps it modern and fresh. From a storage perspective, it’s also top-notch. The whole interior is lined with a cotton-linen blend. The medium box I tested has a top level with three compartments, to hold earrings and bracelets, and there are four ring rolls. The underside of the lid has six hooks for hanging necklaces, with a little pouch to keep them in place. The two pullout drawers below are deep enough to hold bulkier items, such as watches or big-beaded jewelry. Like Pottery Barn’s Stella Box, this jewelry box also comes in various sizes and a couple of colors (acorn and white). For all of the versions of this box, monogramming is available for $15.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This jewelry box is not cheap. It’s also heavy, even without jewelry inside (think something akin to a full gallon of milk). So this is not an item you’ll want to move around often. In the model I received, one of the necklace hooks was bent too tightly to slip in a necklace (I was able to remedy this by wedging my credit card in and yanking it forward).
Dimensions: medium, 14.5 by 10.75 by 7.25 inches Finishes/colors: champagne, acorn, white Material: wood with lacquer finish; metal hardware
Simple yet classic, pretty without being ostentatious, this jewelry box is perfect for keeping a large collection organized.
Who this is for: Someone with lots of jewelry who likes clean lines and a classic look.
Why it’s great: Similar in size and style to the West Elm Midcentury Modern Jewelry Box, Pottery Barn’s Stella Jewelry Box also has a top tray and two drawers (the two lower handles are affixed to the same double-depth drawer), with ample compartments lined in velvet. The top tray has rolls for rings, and there are two small square compartments for bracelets and one large compartment for bulkier pieces. I tested the large size, but this box also comes in other colors and sizes.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Like the West Elm Midcentury, this box is big and heavy. It’s also one of our most expensive recommendations. Like the Sophia box, this one has a glass top, so if you tend to place your jewelry box by a window, more-delicate gems should not be placed in sight. And due to the glass top, there’s no necklace storage under the lid. Finally, the top “drawer” doesn’t open, which is fine, but I just think it’s goofy.
Dimensions: large, 15 by 10 by 7.5 inches Finishes/colors: white, fog, black, light burled wood Material: MDF, iron, glass and metal
As great for travel as it is for sitting pretty, this jewelry case has just enough space for your favorite pieces.
Who this is for: The frequent traveler who loves bringing jewelry on trips.
Why it’s great: Cuyana is one of Wirecutter’s favorite accessory brands (its tote bag and travel case have been picks for years), and Cuyruna’s Large Jewelry Case more than lived up to my high expectations. A zipper opens the lid, and underneath there’s a strap for bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Two semi-circle snap pouches fit into the base of the container to hold daintier pieces, and there’s a thin leather flap in each pouch to keep those items from scratching. The case’s supple, color-saturated leather looks great on display, and I appreciate being able to throw it into my suitcase when I am traveling. It’s available in several colors, and there’s a travel size that’s better suited for throwing in a carry-on bag.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The necklace/bracelet strap on the underside of the case lid is quite stiff, and it softened up only after several uses. If you do travel with this case, you’ll want to shove a scarf or a handful of tissues inside to keep anything from rattling around—otherwise, there are a few inches of space between the lid and bottom.
Dimensions: 3 by 6.5 by 4.6 inches Finishes/colors: black, ecru, soft rose, lipstick, mango Material: leather, metal zipper
This pretty glass jewelry holder evokes Old Hollywood, and it can also house candy and toiletries.
Who this is for: This isn’t exactly a traditional “box” like the ones above, but for someone who loves vintage-inspired decor, it’s perfect for holding just a few pieces of jewelry.
Why it’s great: The CB2 Buchannon Clear Jewelry Holder’s textured glass and brass accents exude a retro, soda-fountain vibe. And due to its small footprint (roughly the size of a Yukon gold), this vessel fits easily on small bathroom counters, nightstands, or dresser tops. For someone who wears the same few pieces every day, this is a beautiful object to drop them into at the end of the day and retrieve them from in the morning.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Unless you really cram jewelry into this vessel, you can’t store very much, and due to the lack of compartments, there’s a lot of unused vertical space. Also, this vessel isn’t lined with fabric, so it’s not ideal for delicate jewelry. A small number of buyers left comments about the glue of the lid coming undone or the screws coming out. I found the holder to be sturdily constructed, but I will update this guide should long-term testing prove otherwise.
Dimensions: 5.5 by 3.25 by 3.5 inches Finishes/colors: clear glass Material: glass and iron
Pretty in its simplicity, this wall-mounted jewelry rack takes up no countertop space, and you can see all of your jewelry at once.
May be out of stock
Who this is for: A small-home dweller or someone who likes to see all of their options at once.
Why it’s great: The Yamazaki Wall-Mounted Jewelry Rack is functional, takes up barely any real estate, and still manages to look attractive. Ten hooks hold necklaces (on mine, some hooks even hold two or three necklaces). And the wooden bar can hold bracelets, watches, or even rings that are wide enough to slide on. Installation is easy: Just use the included nails to screw the rack into your wall, and twist the two wooden pieces together to form the bar. I had nailed this organizer into the bathroom wall of my old studio apartment, and now it lives on the back of a closet door at my still-very-small one-bedroom apartment. I love that when I’m picking out which pieces will go best with that day’s outfit, I’m able to see them all at once. And given my apartment’s limited square footage, this is the only storage option I could feasibly do that with.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This rack doesn’t have a space to store earrings. You’ll also have to drill into your wall to hang it. Technically you can hang it on the inside of a closet door, but because there are no posts at the end of the bar, you’d have to open that door very gingerly so your bracelets didn’t fall off. For delicate pieces, you should not hang this by a window (to avoid UV damage). Finally, I wish the included nails were powder-coated to match the steel back.
Dimensions: 1.77 by 12.6 by 2.64 inches Finishes/colors: white/wood Material: steel, Wood
Like something out of a fairy tale, this floral jewelry stand holds several types of jewelry.
Who this is for: The total romantic who also likes to have their jewelry on display.
Why it’s great: Perfect for cottage-core devotees—or just someone who likes florals—the Anthropologie Mina Floral Gold Metal Jewelry Stand is perfect for displaying objects in a beautiful way. Available in a small or large size, the stand has dainty brass petals and leaves to hold your necklaces, rings, and bracelets, while the rimmed base can hold earrings and pins. A velvet-y bottom keeps it from scratching wooden tabletops.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you’re someone who doesn’t like clutter, you’ll want to hang only a few pieces at once. You could put smaller earrings onto the flower or leaves, or you could lay them on the base, but there are no hooks specifically for them. If you hang necklaces or even some bracelets from the lower leaves, they will droop onto the base. As is true with our other non-lidded recommendations, if you store delicate items on this stand, you should keep it away from a window to avoid UV damage. This one may also require occasional dusting.
Dimensions: large, 9.5 by 13.5 by 4 inches; small, 10.3 by 6.5 by 5.5 inches Finishes/colors: brass Material: aluminum, brass
This adaptable tray can fit into drawers or even DIY displays.
Who this is for: Someone who wants their surfaces clear and has an extra drawer or the desire to create their own setup.
Why it’s great: Unlike our other picks, the Stackers Medium Expandable Jewelry Storage Tray is meant to be hidden rather than put on display. For some, this may mean tucking it away in a drawer. For others, including senior editor Jennifer Hunter, this is an invitation to come up with a whole new system. Jennifer tucked her tray into a vintage wooden cassette holder, pictured below. And the Stackers tray can expand to fit your space (ranging from 12 to 18.75 inches wide). For additional storage, you can also layer other trays on top of it.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Depending on where you place this tray, since it has no lid, it will be prone to gathering dust.
Dimensions: 10.25 by 12 by 1.5 inches Finishes/colors: gray Material: velvet, MDF
Regardless of the material value of a piece of jewelry, if you want to keep it nice, treat it nicely. With proper storage, even costume pieces can become heirlooms. Here are a few principles that experts advise you keep in mind:
The CB2 Bangle Dirty Rose Glass Decorative Bowl is a gorgeous, hefty piece, made from beautifully colored soda glass. At 2 inches tall and 10 inches wide, it’s not quite the right size to serve as a trinket holder. Yet it would be a lovely vessel to hold bigger stuff in your living room, like a TV remote or keys. And some may still be inclined to use it for jewelry. Just note that the stickers on its underside don’t come off easily, and you’ll need to use some Goo Gone to remove the residue.
The Crate & Barrel Medium Cream White Wood Jewelry Box has a beautiful mirror on the underside of the lid, velvet-lined drawers, and a pretty, almost futuristic aesthetic. But due to the magnetic latch system, the lid slams a bit as it closes, and opening it takes just a little more force than I’d prefer. Also, a scrutinizing eye would notice the minor scuffing on the corners and on the bottom; considering this box’s high price tage, I think most people wouldn’t appreciate having to call in an exchange.
Umbra’s Stowit Storage Box came very close to being a pick. I especially appreciated that this box’s drawers—unlike those on any other box I tested—pull out only so far and thus can’t fall out. The top of the box serves as an extra surface, and the steel-and-wood combo looks nice. But—and this was a big but for me—the logo carved into the front is a bit of an eyesore.
This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Joanne Chen.
Lorraine West, jewelry designer, email interview, January 23, 2025
Grant Mobley, jewelry and watch editor at Natural Diamond Council, email interview, January 17, 2025
I cover home decor, but I'm rarely stuck inside. I also write frequently about outdoor gear, personal technology, and health products for Wirecutter.
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