Commodes and Chests of Drawers
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Walnut
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
2010s Danish Bauhaus Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Mexican Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Plywood
2010s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
Early 1900s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century British High Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s British Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Copper
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fir
Late 19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Straw, Beech
1860s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Belgian Black Marble
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century American Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
1960s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Pine
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
20th Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1980s French Empire Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
1940s Chippendale Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique and Vintage Chests of Drawers and Commodes for Sale on 1stDibs
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.