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Is there a difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers?

1 Answer
Is there a difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers?
Yes, there is a difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers. Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do.

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This type of case piece was originally a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. 

Find antique and vintage dressers for sale on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 1, 2024
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Art Deco Modern Vanity Dressing Table Round Mirror Leather & Walnut Wood
Located in Porto, PT
Claire Dressing Table embraced an Art Deco style with curvy and opulent shapes. This eye-catchy modern dressing table owns the promise of enriching any master bedroom design project....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Vanities

Materials

Brass

Object 011 Hanger by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 011 Hanger by NG Design. Dimensions: D130 x W40 x H190 cm. Materials: powder coated steel. Also available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on d...
Category

2010s Polish Post-Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Drexel Declaration Ten Drawer Low Dresser by Kipp Stewart
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern walnut triple dresser from the desirable declaration line designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel in the 1950s. On the right are fou...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Input Compartment with Mirror and Drawers by Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Entrance furniture composed of rosewood base with drawers covered in parchment, bakelite knobs in orange date color. Follows the upper part with frame of...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Steel

Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons Company Art Deco Dresser/Cabinet
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons Company Art Deco dresser made mainly of steel, wood at the base and bakelite at the handles. It i...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Dressers

Materials

Steel

Pair of Nightstands in the Style of Paolo Buffa, circa 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of remarkable bedsides rosewood in the style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s. The same set includes the dressing table with the mirror, but the two nightstands are also sold individually.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Rosewood

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