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.