Skip to main content

Bedside Chests

to
65
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
899
843
1,620
97
56
258
146
121
75
55
53
45
44
26
23
21
18
18
11
4
2
1
71
462
1,085
153
182
563
210
35
7
48
98
43
155
141
64
37
14
1,498
508
385
323
293
1,105
431
361
354
261
1,754
1,687
1,714
36
35
15
11
10
Sort By
Pair Walnut Bedside Chests
Pair Walnut Bedside Chests

Pair Walnut Bedside Chests

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

A well-matched pair of walnut bedside chests of drawers, dating from the mid 20th century and made

Category

Vintage 1960s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Italian Made Carved and Painted Bedside Chests
Italian Made Carved and Painted Bedside Chests

Italian Made Carved and Painted Bedside Chests

Located in Dallas, TX

These Italian made bedside chests are feature intricate carvings and painted bases, adding a touch

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Marble Top Bedside Chest
19th Century French Marble Top Bedside Chest

19th Century French Marble Top Bedside Chest

Located in Richmond, VA

feet. Great height and size for a bedside chest or side table.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Indio Bedside Chest
Indio Bedside Chest

Indio Bedside Chest

$5,750 / item

Indio Bedside Chest

By Jerry Nance

Located in New Hampton, NY

Shown in oiled walnut and brushed brass, the Indio bedside chest features three solid wood drawers

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dressers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Georgian Style Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Georgian Style Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Georgian Style Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A beautiful pair of antique bedside chests of drawers in the Georgian style. They were made in

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Regency Revival Bedside Chests Walnut Nightstands
Regency Revival Bedside Chests Walnut Nightstands

Regency Revival Bedside Chests Walnut Nightstands

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Pair of Regency Revival burr walnut bow bedside chests These chests are raised upon bracket feet

Category

Vintage 1920s Regency Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

A Pair of Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers
A Pair of Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers

A Pair of Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

A Pair of Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers These are wonderful little bedside chests, they each

Category

Vintage 1960s Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Moreno Bedside Chest
Moreno Bedside Chest

Moreno Bedside Chest

By Jerry Nance

Located in New Hampton, NY

Shown in satin white lacquer with burnished brass hardware and Calcatta marble, the Moreno bedside

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dressers

Materials

Marble, Brass

18th-Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Serpentine Bedside Chest
18th-Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Serpentine Bedside Chest

18th-Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Serpentine Bedside Chest

Located in Richmond, VA

18th-early 19th century Georgian mahogany serpentine bedside chest with molded top, canted and

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Mahogany Bedside Chests
Chippendale Mahogany Bedside Chests

Chippendale Mahogany Bedside Chests

Located in Westwood, NJ

A mahogany bombay bedside chest of drawers, the rectangular molded edge top above a brushing slide

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chippendale Night Stands

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A wonderful pair of antique military campaign style bedside chests. They were made in England, and

Category

Vintage 1930s British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

A Fabulous Pair of 19th Century Bedside Chests
A Fabulous Pair of 19th Century Bedside Chests

A Fabulous Pair of 19th Century Bedside Chests

Located in Dublin, IE

A fabulous pair of 19th Century mahogany bedside chest, finely hand carved, of exceptional quality

Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Early American Style Cherry Commode Bedside Chest of Drawers
Early American Style Cherry Commode Bedside Chest of Drawers

Early American Style Cherry Commode Bedside Chest of Drawers

Located in Germantown, MD

An Early American Style Cherry Three-Drawer Commode Bedside Chest of Drawers. Dovetail joints

Category

Late 20th Century Canadian American Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Hand Painted Bedside Chests by “Fabulous Things” in swirl pattern
Hand Painted Bedside Chests by “Fabulous Things” in swirl pattern

Hand Painted Bedside Chests by “Fabulous Things” in swirl pattern

Located in Richmond, VA

Stylish custom made hand painted bedside chest of drawers in blue textured swirls on tapered feet.

Category

2010s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Kincaid Chippendale Oak Bedside Chest Nightstand
Kincaid Chippendale Oak Bedside Chest Nightstand

Kincaid Chippendale Oak Bedside Chest Nightstand

Located in Germantown, MD

Kincaid Chippendale Oak Bedside Chest or Nightstand. Measures 24" in width, 16" in depth and

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Late 20th Century Chippendale Style Cherry Four Drawer Bedside Chest
Late 20th Century Chippendale Style Cherry Four Drawer Bedside Chest

Late 20th Century Chippendale Style Cherry Four Drawer Bedside Chest

Located in Germantown, MD

A Late 20th Century Chippendale Style Cherry Four Drawer Bedside Chest / Nightstand. Measures 25" w

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Victorian Amboyna Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Victorian Amboyna Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Victorian Amboyna Bedside Chests

By Lamb of Manchester

Located in London, GB

A fantastic pair of antique Victorian amboyna bedside chests. They were made in England by Lamb’s

Category

Antique 1860s British High Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ebony, Amboyna

Pair of Antique Burr Elm Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Burr Elm Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Burr Elm Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A smart and extremely well made pair of antique burr elm bedside chests. They were made in England

Category

Vintage 1950s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Fine Pair of 18th Century Venetian Rococo Bombe Bedside Chests of Drawers
Fine Pair of 18th Century Venetian Rococo Bombe Bedside Chests of Drawers

Fine Pair of 18th Century Venetian Rococo Bombe Bedside Chests of Drawers

Located in Richmond, VA

Fine pair of 18th century Venetian Rococo bombe bedside chests of drawers. Serpentine form

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Federal Gray Enamel Mahogany Bedside Chest of Drawers
Mid Century Federal Gray Enamel Mahogany Bedside Chest of Drawers

Mid Century Federal Gray Enamel Mahogany Bedside Chest of Drawers

Located in Germantown, MD

A Mid Century Federal Style Gray Enamel Mahogany Bedside Chest of Drawers. Drawers open and close

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Large Pair of Five Drawer Bedside Chests
19th Century Large Pair of Five Drawer Bedside Chests

19th Century Large Pair of Five Drawer Bedside Chests

Located in Dublin, IE

A gorgeous pair of 19th Century mahogany bedside chests of large proportions, finely hand carved

Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Niels Clausen Pair of Wide Rosewood Bedside Chests,  circa 1960
Niels Clausen Pair of Wide Rosewood Bedside Chests,  circa 1960

Niels Clausen Pair of Wide Rosewood Bedside Chests, circa 1960

By Niels Clausen

Located in London, England

Niels Clausen Wide Bedside Chests, c1960s Wide Rosewood cabinets by Niels Clausen for his own

Category

Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Antique Satin Wood Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Satin Wood Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Satin Wood Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A stunning pair of antique satin wood bedside chests. They were made in France, they date from

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon Taliesin Bedside Chests, Refinished
Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon Taliesin Bedside Chests, Refinished

Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon Taliesin Bedside Chests, Refinished

By Heritage-Henredon

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern "Taliesin" bedside chests By Frank Lloyd Wright

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French 1880s Rococo Style Three-Drawer Bedside Chest with Serpentine Front
French 1880s Rococo Style Three-Drawer Bedside Chest with Serpentine Front

French 1880s Rococo Style Three-Drawer Bedside Chest with Serpentine Front

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Rococo style painted bedside chest from the late 19th century, with serpentine front and

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Lane Earl's Court Collection Burl and Banded Mahogany Bedside Chest
Lane Earl's Court Collection Burl and Banded Mahogany Bedside Chest

Lane Earl's Court Collection Burl and Banded Mahogany Bedside Chest

By Lane Furniture

Located in Germantown, MD

Amazing Lane Earl's Court Collection Burl and Banded Mahogany Bedside Chest in very good vintage

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A very smart pair of antique military campaign style bedside chests. They were made in England

Category

Vintage 1930s British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique French Marble Top Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique French Marble Top Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique French Marble Top Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A stunning pair of antique French marble top bedside chests. They were made in France and date from

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Gorgeous Pair of 20th Century Bedside Chests in the Georgian Manner
Gorgeous Pair of 20th Century Bedside Chests in the Georgian Manner

Gorgeous Pair of 20th Century Bedside Chests in the Georgian Manner

Located in Dublin, IE

A gorgeous pair of 20th Century mahogany bedside chests in the Georgian manner. The moulded top

Category

20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Georgian Design Pair of Antique Bedside Chest of Drawers & Brass Batwing Handles
Georgian Design Pair of Antique Bedside Chest of Drawers & Brass Batwing Handles

Georgian Design Pair of Antique Bedside Chest of Drawers & Brass Batwing Handles

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A Elegant Pair of Matching English Antique Four Drawer Bedside Chests with Batwing Brass Handles on

Category

20th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique French Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique French Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique French Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A stunning pair of antique French inlaid marble top bedside chests. They were made in France and

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Mid-Century Solid Oak 5-Drawer Bedside Chest of Drawers Nightstand
Mid-Century Solid Oak 5-Drawer Bedside Chest of Drawers Nightstand

Mid-Century Solid Oak 5-Drawer Bedside Chest of Drawers Nightstand

Located in Germantown, MD

Midcentury very solid oak 5-drawer bedside chest of drawers / nightstand in great condition with

Category

Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A smart and extremely well made pair of antique military campaign style bedside chests with leather

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Georgian Style Yew Wood Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique Georgian Style Yew Wood Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique Georgian Style Yew Wood Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A lovely pair of antique Georgian style yew wood bedside chests. They were made in England, they

Category

Vintage 1950s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Yew

Pair of Vintage Italian Carved Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers
Pair of Vintage Italian Carved Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers

Pair of Vintage Italian Carved Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers

Located in Forney, TX

A handsome pair of Italian bedside chests, born in the mid 20th century, in a distressed rustic

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Danish Vintage Bedside Chests by Henning Korch
Pair of Danish Vintage Bedside Chests by Henning Korch

Pair of Danish Vintage Bedside Chests by Henning Korch

By CFC Silkeborg, Henning Korch

Located in London, GB

A stylish and exceedingly rare pair of Danish vintage bedside chests by Henning Korch. This is the

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Italian Neo Classic Bedside Chests
Pair of Italian Neo Classic Bedside Chests

Pair of Italian Neo Classic Bedside Chests

Located in Westwood, NJ

Italian Neo Classic bedside chest. A wonderful reproduction of fine 18th-century Italian cabinetry

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Night Stands

Materials

Wood

Pair of Art Deco Satinwood and Walnut Bedside Chests
Pair of Art Deco Satinwood and Walnut Bedside Chests

Pair of Art Deco Satinwood and Walnut Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A sleek and stylish pair of Art Deco satinwood and walnut bedside chests. They were made in England

Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

19th Century Federal Bowfront Mahogany Bedside Chest Nightstand
19th Century Federal Bowfront Mahogany Bedside Chest Nightstand

19th Century Federal Bowfront Mahogany Bedside Chest Nightstand

Located in Germantown, MD

19th century Federal Bowfront Mahogany bedside chest nighstand. Good antique Condition. Dovetail

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Pair of Henredon Four Centuries Provincial Oak Commode Bedside Chest of Drawers
Pair of Henredon Four Centuries Provincial Oak Commode Bedside Chest of Drawers

Pair of Henredon Four Centuries Provincial Oak Commode Bedside Chest of Drawers

By Henredon

Located in Germantown, MD

Pair of Henredon Four Centuries Collection Provincial Style Oak Commodes, Bedside Chests of Drawers

Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Chippendale Style Bedside Chests
Chippendale Style Bedside Chests

Chippendale Style Bedside Chests

Located in Brooklyn, NY

cherry wood. Great for bedside storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ

Category

20th Century Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bielecky Brothers Bedside Chest in Cane and Brass
Vintage Bielecky Brothers Bedside Chest in Cane and Brass

Vintage Bielecky Brothers Bedside Chest in Cane and Brass

By Bielecky Brothers

Located in Delray Beach, FL

A refined vintage bedside chest by Bielecky Brothers, known for their high-quality rattan furniture

Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

A Very Fine Pair of Large 19th Century Bow Fronted Bedside Chests
A Very Fine Pair of Large 19th Century Bow Fronted Bedside Chests

A Very Fine Pair of Large 19th Century Bow Fronted Bedside Chests

Located in Dublin, IE

A very fine pair of 19th Century mahogany bow fronted bedside chests of grand proportions

Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Painted Italian Neo Classic Bedside Chests
Pair of Painted Italian Neo Classic Bedside Chests

Pair of Painted Italian Neo Classic Bedside Chests

Located in Westwood, NJ

Italian Neo Classic Painted bedside chest. A wonderful reproduction of fine 18th-century Italian

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Night Stands

Materials

Wood

20th Century Pair of Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests
20th Century Pair of Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests

20th Century Pair of Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests

Located in Dublin, IE

inlaid marble top bedside chests of exceptional quality. This stunning pair are finely carved, quarter

Category

20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Mid-Century Modern Oak Bedside Chest of Drawers Nightstand
Mid-Century Modern Oak Bedside Chest of Drawers Nightstand

Mid-Century Modern Oak Bedside Chest of Drawers Nightstand

By Pennsylvania House

Located in Germantown, MD

Mid-century Pennsylvania house oak bedside chest of drawers nightstand featuring three drawers with

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Pair French Walnut Nightstands Bedside Chests
Pair French Walnut Nightstands Bedside Chests

Pair French Walnut Nightstands Bedside Chests

Located in Potters Bar, GB

You are viewing an refined pair of French bedside chests or cabinets in walnut The tables feature

Category

Vintage 1920s Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage Chippendale Cherry Bedside Chest of Drawer Nightstand
Pair of Vintage Chippendale Cherry Bedside Chest of Drawer Nightstand

Pair of Vintage Chippendale Cherry Bedside Chest of Drawer Nightstand

Located in Germantown, MD

Beautiful pair of Chippendale Bedside chest of drawers or Nightstands. Good vintage condition

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Regency Revival Bedside Chests Nightstands Walnut Cabinets
Regency Revival Bedside Chests Nightstands Walnut Cabinets

Regency Revival Bedside Chests Nightstands Walnut Cabinets

Located in Potters Bar, GB

You are viewing a pair of refined Regency Revival bedside chests in walnut Unusual with the round

Category

Vintage 1980s Regency Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Jaipur Hand-Painted Solid Wood Bedside Chest by House of Jaipur
Jaipur Hand-Painted Solid Wood Bedside Chest by House of Jaipur

Jaipur Hand-Painted Solid Wood Bedside Chest by House of Jaipur

Located in New York, NY

This Jaipur hand-painted solid wood bedside chest is a compact yet richly detailed piece that

Category

2010s Indian Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

21st C. Ferrell Mittman Walnut Lakecrest Bedside Chest (Style No. FCB7810)
21st C. Ferrell Mittman Walnut Lakecrest Bedside Chest (Style No. FCB7810)

21st C. Ferrell Mittman Walnut Lakecrest Bedside Chest (Style No. FCB7810)

By Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman 1

Located in Morristown, NJ

Lakecrest bedside chest features clean, modern lines and richly grained walnut drawer fronts—remarkably

Category

2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

A Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Highly Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests
A Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Highly Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests

A Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Highly Inlaid Marble Top Bedside Chests

Located in Dublin, IE

A fine pair of early 20th Century marble top bedside chests of drawers, of fabulous quality, finely

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair French Bedside Chests Antique Walnut Nightstands
Pair French Bedside Chests Antique Walnut Nightstands

Pair French Bedside Chests Antique Walnut Nightstands

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Pair of French Walnut Bedside Cabinets. These Cabinets Stand Upon Elegant Shaped Legs. One Cabinet

Category

Vintage 1980s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Pair Victorian Bedside Chests Inlay Chest Drawers 1880
Pair Victorian Bedside Chests Inlay Chest Drawers 1880

Pair Victorian Bedside Chests Inlay Chest Drawers 1880

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Pair of mahogany inlaid chest of drawers or bedside cabinets Each of the chests stands upon a

Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Super Pair French Marquetry Bedside Chests of Drawers
Super Pair French Marquetry Bedside Chests of Drawers

Super Pair French Marquetry Bedside Chests of Drawers

Located in Swadlincote, GB

A pair of French tulipwood bedside cabinets, having shaped gallery to the inlaid top above 3 flower

Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Tulipwood

Minton Spidell French Provincial Louis XV Bedside Chest
Minton Spidell French Provincial Louis XV Bedside Chest

Minton Spidell French Provincial Louis XV Bedside Chest

By Minton-Spidell

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional French Country or French Provincial Louis XV style three-drawer nightstand or chest

Category

Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair Burr Yew Bedside Chests Designed By Ray Leigh For Gordon Russell 1988
Pair Burr Yew Bedside Chests Designed By Ray Leigh For Gordon Russell 1988

Pair Burr Yew Bedside Chests Designed By Ray Leigh For Gordon Russell 1988

By Gordon Russell

Located in Norwich, GB

Pair of burr yew and yew bedside chests with recessed brass handles, designed by Ray Leigh for

Category

Vintage 1980s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Bedside Chests", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Bedside Chests For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of bedside chests for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and mahogany, all bedside chests available were constructed with great care. There are 376 antique and vintage bedside chests for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 21 modern editions to choose from as well. Bedside chests have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Bedside chests bearing Mid-Century Modern or Georgian hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Not every interior allows for large bedside chests, so small bedside chests measuring 11 inches across are available at 1stDibs. Many bedside chests are appealing in their simplicity, but Niels Clausen, Carlos Solano-Granda and Drexel produced popular bedside chests that are worth a look.

How Much are Bedside Chests?

Prices for bedside chests start at $600 and top out at $30,000 with the average selling for $3,512.

Finding the Right Commodes And Chests Of Drawers for You

Shopping for 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 any case 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. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot. 

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.

Questions About Bedside Chests
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    Yes, 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.

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.