All Chest Of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
Antique Late 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Commodes and Chests...
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Egyptian Country Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wenge, Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Teak
Antique 1780s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century English Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Antique Late 19th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Welsh High Victorian Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Oak, Pine
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Hungarian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Vintage 1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Birch
Antique 19th Century Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1820s English Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Antique 19th Century Emirian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique Late 18th Century American Hepplewhite Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Wood
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
Early 20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Antique Late 18th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
Antique 18th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 19th Century Dutch Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Antique 18th Century British George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
Antique 17th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Antique 1870s Belgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1820s English Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique Early 18th Century European George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Cedar
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1920s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique Late 18th Century English Hepplewhite Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Oak
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Finding the Right commodes-chests-of-drawers for You
Is it a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote a piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? 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. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A chest of drawers is also sometimes known as a dresser or a bureau. It is a cabinet with several parallel horizontal drawers stacked on top of one another. A chest of drawers is frequently used to store clothing and a variety of personal items. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bachelor’s chest of drawers is a relatively short and shallow chest, usually with three or four drawers. The name refers to their historical use as multi-purpose, space-saving fixtures that are perfect for a bachelor sharing a friend’s flat. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique and modern bachelor’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A man’s chest of drawers is also known as a gentleman’s chest. It is characterized by its tall cabinet section that hangs clothes like suits and pants, and also features a column of drawers. Shop a collection of gentleman’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The first chest of drawers was invented by Chinese physician Hua Tuo during the 3rd century. In the west, chests of drawers began to appear during the 17th century and rose in popularity from there. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique chests of drawers from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 1, 2024Yes, 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 ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A low chest of drawers is called a lowboy. A lowboy sits at waist height and was a prominent piece of bedroom furniture in the 18th century. These low chests of drawers were a clothing storage solution before tallboys and highboys came into fashion. On 1stDibs, there is a variety of antique and vintage low chests of drawers available for sale.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Dressers are designed to offer a place for you to dress, with the top functioning as a table on which to place your clothing. It will offer space for a mirror, whereas chests of drawers are typically exactly that — they provide ample storage while taking up little floor space. A dresser is usually wide and short, while a chest of drawers is narrow and tall. Both types of furniture are commonly used to store clothing and other items in drawers. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary dressers and chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A chest of drawers with a mirror attached is called a bureau. This type of case piece is usually waist-high with a mirror that rests on the top of the structure. They are mainly used in bedrooms. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A tall chest of drawers is known as a standard chest of drawers and also as a vertical chest. These are tall and narrow storage pieces. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage tall chests of drawers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Yes, a chest of drawers can be used as a bedside table, provided that you have enough space beside your bed to accommodate it. If you want to be able to easily reach items on the top of the chest, choose a piece that is about 2 to 4 inches taller than your mattress. Shop a variety of bedroom furniture on 1stDibs.
- What is a bank of drawers?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A bank of drawers is a piece of storage furniture that differs considerably from a chest of drawers. This furnishing is typically going to feature many more drawers than an ordinary chest of drawers might, and is often used interchangeably with the term “apothecary cabinet” because pharmacists used to require such a structure that afforded ample storage for classifying and filing away items in their places of business. Find antique and vintage banks of drawers today on 1stDibs.
- What is a file drawer?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021The term “file drawer” likely refers to filing cabinets. This is a type of office furniture that is used for storing paper documents in file folders. The two most common forms of filing cabinets are lateral filing cabinets and vertical filing cabinets. Shop for a variety of antique and vintage filing cabinets and other storage solutions on 1stDibs.
- What is a gentleman's chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A gentleman's chest is a piece of wooden storage furniture with at least one section large enough to accommodate hanging men's clothing like ties, suits and dress pants. Normally, drawers appear beside and below the hanging cabinet. Find a range of gentleman's chests on 1stDibs.
- What is a bonnet chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bonnet chest is a chest of drawers that has a space for hats. Typically, this larger drawer or area is in the center space and toward the top. Bonnet chests get their name for their function not their shape, as there is no one standard shape for a bonnet chest. Shop a collection of vintage and antique furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a bombe chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
A bombe chest is a set of drawers that bulges outward in the front and on the sides. The style, whose name comes from French word bombé, meaning “curved,” originated in 17th-century France.
- What is a military chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A military chest is a chest of drawers made of hardwood like mahogany, teak or cedar. Also called a campaign chest, the furniture usually comes apart into smaller pieces for easy carrying. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of military chests.
- What is a dower chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A dower chest — also called a dowry chest or hope chest — is a Pennsylvania Dutch chest, a piece of furniture traditionally used by young women to store items in anticipation of married life. Find a collection of antique and vintage dowry chests on 1stDibs.
- What is a demilune chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A demilune chest is a type of case good furniture that features a straight back and a curved front. Most feature rows of drawers, cabinet doors or a mix of the two types of storage. Demilune comes from the French word for half moon and refers to the shape of the chests. Shop a range of demilune chests on 1stDibs.
- What is a sugar chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A sugar chest is a chest, typically made of wood and featuring legs, that was designed to hold sugar in the late 1700s to early 1800s, when sugar was very valuable. Sugar chests would feature a lock to keep this sweet sign of wealth secure, and featured sections inside to separate light and dark sugars. Shop a range of antique sugar chests on 1stDibs.
- What is a Tansu chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Tansu refers to Japanese portable storage chests. When tansu became a well-known feature of life in Japan — the chests’ emergence is said to be rooted in the Genroku era of the Edo period (1688–1704) — the country’s traditionally minimalist households had little to no proper seats, tables, or other pieces of furniture. Tansu were intended to be multipurpose cabinets. These case pieces were used to store things of everyday utility, such as clothing and various personal items. Tansu are regarded as collectible furniture with a timeless appeal. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary Tansu from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
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