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Louis XVI chest of drawers with rose painted color
Louis XVI chest of drawers with rose painted color

Louis XVI chest of drawers with rose painted color

Located in Kastrup, DK

Louis XVI chest of drawers with rose painted color on the body. Top plate painted black. Under the

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers
Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers

Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers circa 1890. Pair of Swedish commodes

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Antique Chest Of Drawers With 4 Drawers Grey Painted From 1890s
Antique Chest Of Drawers With 4 Drawers Grey Painted From 1890s

Antique Chest Of Drawers With 4 Drawers Grey Painted From 1890s

Located in Lejre, DK

Antique chest of drawers from the 1890s with four drawers. Grey painted wood and classic design

Category

Antique 1890s Danish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Black Chest of Three Drawers with Greek Key
19th Century Swedish Black Chest of Three Drawers with Greek Key

19th Century Swedish Black Chest of Three Drawers with Greek Key

Located in Round Top, TX

A decorative Gustavian style pine chest of drawers with dramatic painted "à La Grecque" or Greek

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Gray Painted Small Chest of Nine Drawers, Sweden circa 1860
Gray Painted Small Chest of Nine Drawers, Sweden circa 1860

Gray Painted Small Chest of Nine Drawers, Sweden circa 1860

Located in Round Top, TX

Fascinating Gustavian pine chest of nine drawers with fluted columns, dentil molding and tapered

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Chest Vanity Europe 19th Century Mahogany Brass The Netherlands
Chest Vanity Europe 19th Century Mahogany Brass The Netherlands

Chest Vanity Europe 19th Century Mahogany Brass The Netherlands

Located in New York, NY

Chest Vanity Europe 19th Century Mahogany Brass Netherlands. A vanity chest made during the 19th

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Large Danish 18th Century Louis XVI Chest Of Drawers Light Grey
Large Danish 18th Century Louis XVI Chest Of Drawers Light Grey

Large Danish 18th Century Louis XVI Chest Of Drawers Light Grey

Located in Kastrup, DK

A large Danish Louis XVI chest of drawers in a light gray color, in three parts. Featuring a

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Writing Chest
Swedish Gustavian Writing Chest

Swedish Gustavian Writing Chest

Located in New York, NY

A Swedish Gustavian writing desk in original paint. Tapered legs and a reeded drawer. Interior of 3

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers
Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers

Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers circa 1890. Good quality pair of commodes

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers

19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality 3 drawer chest of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of 19th century painted Swedish chest of drawers
Pair of 19th century painted Swedish chest of drawers

Pair of 19th century painted Swedish chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th painted Swedish chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of Swedish hand

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Paint, Pine

19th Century Swedish Stone Top Black Small Chest of Three Drawers
19th Century Swedish Stone Top Black Small Chest of Three Drawers

19th Century Swedish Stone Top Black Small Chest of Three Drawers

Located in Round Top, TX

It is the original stone top that makes this small chest of three drawers a special find while the

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stone

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Gustavian style 3 drawer chest, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Swedish early 19th century hand painted pine chest of drawers
Swedish early 19th century hand painted pine chest of drawers

Swedish early 19th century hand painted pine chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Swedish early 19th century painted pine chest of drawers circa 1800. Fine quality chest of drawers

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Miniature  Chest of Drawers with original paint Country
19th Century Swedish Miniature  Chest of Drawers with original paint Country

19th Century Swedish Miniature Chest of Drawers with original paint Country

Located in Boden, SE

Original painted Scandinavian miniature chest of drawers from Luleå Norrbotten ,Northern Sweden

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque chest of drawers
18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque chest of drawers

18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque revival chest of drawers circa 1790. Made from solid

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers
Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers

Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops
Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops

Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops circa 1870. Good quality pair of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish pair of 19th century painted serpentine shaped chest of drawers
Swedish pair of 19th century painted serpentine shaped chest of drawers

Swedish pair of 19th century painted serpentine shaped chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century Scandinavian commodes circa 1880. Good quality pair of chests presented in

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak, Pine, Paint

Pair of Small Gustavian Style Bedside Chests
Pair of Small Gustavian Style Bedside Chests

Pair of Small Gustavian Style Bedside Chests

Located in Westwood, NJ

Bedside chests elegantly combine classical Swedish design elements with refined architectural

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Night Stands

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 9 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 9 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style Unique 9 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique 9 Drawer Gustavian style Dresser. its been restored and repainted with Milk

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box
19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box

19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Hand painted small Swedish trunk circa 1877. Good quality piece of rustic Swedish furniture, offering plenty of opportunities for storage in multiple rooms around the home, such as ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Blanket Chests

Materials

Metal

Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone
Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone

Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone

By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw

Located in New Orleans, LA

influence of Gustavian style, which emerged in the late 18th Century during the reign of King Gustav III of

Category

2010s Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Pine

Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest
Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest

Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest

Located in Shippensburg, PA

GUSTAVIAN MAHOGANY SECRÉTAIRE À ABATTANT WITH MARBLE TOP Sweden, circa 1790 34 3/16" H x 17 3/4" D

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Patinated Gustavian Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Vintage Patinated Gustavian Serpentine Chest of Drawers

Vintage Patinated Gustavian Serpentine Chest of Drawers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exceptional vintage chest of drawers captures the understated elegance of Gustavian design, a

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Dressers

Materials

Brass

Swedish Painted Commode
Swedish Painted Commode

Swedish Painted Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Swedish early 19th C pine painted commode with carved drawer front. Internal reference: C

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Pine Commode
18th Century Swedish Pine Commode

18th Century Swedish Pine Commode

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

18th Century Swedish commode from Skattungbyn, Orsa. A patina and wear beyond the ordinary. The surface retains historical and original paint, beautifully aged. Worn down through th...

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Swedish Painted Commode
Swedish Painted Commode

Swedish Painted Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

19th C Swedish painted 4 drawer pine commode . 1830

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Good pair of 19th C pine Swedish painted commodes. 1880

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Interesting pair of Swedish 19th C pine painted commodes. Internal reference: C

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Swedish Fluted Drawer Fronts Commode
Swedish Fluted Drawer Fronts Commode

Swedish Fluted Drawer Fronts Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Early 19th C Swedish pine commode with fluted drawer fronts.

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Good pair of pine Swedish 19th C painted commodes.

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Bespoke Swedish Style Commode
Bespoke Swedish Style Commode

Bespoke Swedish Style Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Bespoke Swedish style three drawer commode with a reeded top drawer and panelled sides. Customer will need to supply handles which we can fit. Code: 9115 Dimensions: W: 47.5" (...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Gustavian Commodes and Chests of D...

Materials

Pine

Pair of 19th century painted Swedish commodes
Pair of 19th century painted Swedish commodes

Pair of 19th century painted Swedish commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century painted Swedish commodes circa 1880. Fine quality pair of Scandinavian chest

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak, Pine, Paint

Pair of Custom Made Commodes
Pair of Custom Made Commodes

Pair of Custom Made Commodes

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Pair of custom made Swedish style commodes Reference: 7718 Dimensions 40 inches (102 cms) wide 18.5 inches (47 cms) deep 32 inches (81 cms) high

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

XIX Century Swedish Writing Commode, Walnut Veneer
XIX Century Swedish Writing Commode, Walnut Veneer

XIX Century Swedish Writing Commode, Walnut Veneer

Located in Barcelona, ES

XIX Century Swedish writing commode, walnut veneer, key included, second half of XIX Century.

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Swedish pair of 19th century black painted commodes
Swedish pair of 19th century black painted commodes

Swedish pair of 19th century black painted commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Swedish colour range, we are pleased to offer these chest of drawers finished in a matt black

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Early 20th century inlaid walnut commode with marble top
Early 20th century inlaid walnut commode with marble top

Early 20th century inlaid walnut commode with marble top

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Inlaid walnut commode with marble top circa 1910 from Stockholm, Sweden. Green and grey marble top with moulded edge and canted corners, sits, removable on the main body. Fitted wi...

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Gustavian Style Console Table
Gustavian Style Console Table

Gustavian Style Console Table

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique 2 drawer Gustavian style console chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk

Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Gustavian Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Neoclassical Mahogany Writing Chest / Bureau on High Stand, 1800s
Gustavian Neoclassical Mahogany Writing Chest / Bureau on High Stand, 1800s

Gustavian Neoclassical Mahogany Writing Chest / Bureau on High Stand, 1800s

Located in Lucenec, SK

Swedish Gustavian mahogany writing cabinet. The writing part is covered with a black patent leather

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s

Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s

Located in Stamford, CT

Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s Gustavian dresser or chest

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Classic  Louis XV Style Midnight blue Chests with marble top
Classic  Louis XV Style Midnight blue Chests with marble top

Classic Louis XV Style Midnight blue Chests with marble top

Located in Crowthorne, Surrey

Gustavian Hauptbyrå with marble slab and frame in midnight blue. Marble slab has the same finish as

Category

Vintage 1950s European Gustavian Night Stands

Materials

Wood

Fluted Chest by Bunny Williams Home
Fluted Chest by Bunny Williams Home

Fluted Chest by Bunny Williams Home

By Bunny Williams Home

Located in New York, NY

A study in quiet geometry, the Fluted Chest draws on Gustavian grace. Its white-washed finish

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Chest in Black with Fine Brass Fittings and a Marble Top
Louis XV Style Chest in Black with Fine Brass Fittings and a Marble Top

Louis XV Style Chest in Black with Fine Brass Fittings and a Marble Top

Located in Crowthorne, Surrey

A Louis XV style chestwith original brass details and handles in birch wood with a Black fine painted finish with Fine Brass Fittings and a Marble Top. Width: 73cm / 28.7" Depth: 3...

Category

Vintage 1950s European Gustavian Night Stands

Materials

Wood

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Painted Nightstands, 1960s
Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Painted Nightstands, 1960s

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Painted Nightstands, 1960s

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of French Regency Louis XVI or Swedish Gustavian style nightstands or bedside

Category

Vintage 1960s American Louis XVI Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Antique Venetian Italian Provincial Neoclassical Painted Pine Corner Cabinet
Antique Venetian Italian Provincial Neoclassical Painted Pine Corner Cabinet

Antique Venetian Italian Provincial Neoclassical Painted Pine Corner Cabinet

Located in Forney, TX

corner buffet server, country cottage dry bar liquor cabinet, French Provincial style blanket chest

Category

Early 20th Century Italian French Provincial Corner Cupboards

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Chests
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Chests

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Chests

Unavailable|$11,500 / set

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Chests

Located in Houston, TX

Pair of Swedish Gustavian chest circa 1810-1815. Scraped paint finish. Nice carving and details

Category

Antique 1810s Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Period Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Period Gustavian Chest of Drawers

Period Gustavian Chest of Drawers

Located in Sheffield, MA

Late Gustavian chest of drawers, Sweden circa 1800, with faux porphyry top. Each of the four drawer

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique Gustavian Chest of Drawers, circa 1820
Antique Gustavian Chest of Drawers, circa 1820

Antique Gustavian Chest of Drawers, circa 1820

Located in Helsingborg, SE

Gustavian chest with three drawers. Edge have vertical cutters. This chest is Classic and timeless

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique Period Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Painted Wreaths, circa 1820
Antique Period Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Painted Wreaths, circa 1820

Antique Period Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Painted Wreaths, circa 1820

Located in Helsingborg, SE

Atypical Gustavian chest with three drawers. The dresser is in blue-gray color. On the front are

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Early Gustavian Chest
Early Gustavian Chest

Early Gustavian Chest

Unavailable|$7,500

Early Gustavian Chest

Located in Fredericksburg, TX

Tailored, linear design most prevalent in pieces from the Gustavian period, this piece oozes soul

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique Mahogany Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Marble-Top, Early 19th Century
Antique Mahogany Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Marble-Top, Early 19th Century

Antique Mahogany Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Marble-Top, Early 19th Century

Located in Helsingborg, SE

Gustavian mahogany chest of drawers. Front with three-drawers. Tapered legs with fluting. This

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

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Gustavian Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal gustavian chest for your home. Each gustavian chest for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, softwood and pine. If you’re shopping for a gustavian chest, we have 798 options in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the gustavian chest you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A gustavian chest made by Neoclassical designers — as well as those associated with Rococo — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one gustavian chest that is appealing in its simplicity, but André-Charles Boulle, Tara Shaw Maison and Carl Gustaf Foltjern produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Gustavian Chest?

Prices for a gustavian chest can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $499 and can go as high as $48,000, while the average can fetch as much as $5,202.

A Close Look at Gustavian Furniture

With clean lines and muted colors, antique Gustavian furniture is understated and elegant. It represents a more restrained version of the transition from Rococo to neoclassicism that was happening in France under Louis XVI. The style developed under Swedish King Gustav III, who reigned from 1771 until his assassination in 1792, and his son Gustav IV, who ruled until 1809. Although Gustavian furniture is mostly used to refer to pale painted cabinets, commodes, armchairs and other items, it involved a range of influences.

Gustavian-style furniture was inspired by discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as the grandeur of European palaces like Versailles, with local softwoods such as pine and birch. There was also an emphasis on natural light; crystal chandeliers and large mirrors played a role in radiating the fleeting daylight of winter, giving it a distinctive aesthetic.

Where earlier furniture was curvy and florid, this new era was more architectural, with tapered and fluted legs and rectangular and oval shapes. Luminous gilt contrasted with the palette of soft blues on upholstery and painted surfaces. Leading furniture builders included Gottlieb Iwersson, Louis Masreliez and Erik Öhrmark. The latter, a French-born Swedish decorator, designed the Sulla chair, a seat that was demonstrative of technical skill and precise craftsmanship and drew on Greek klismos chairs. Masreliez’s Sulla chair was made by Öhrmark and featured decorative ornamentation produced by Jean-Baptiste Masreliez, Louis’s younger brother.

While the wealthy had furniture carved with neoclassical details like scallops and rosettes, more affordable options were adorned with faux finishes that mimicked marble and stenciled patterns. The simple elegance of Gustavian furniture would have a long impact on Swedish design, informing the 20th-century appreciation for function and form. In the 1950s, IKEA mass-produced copies of a Gustavian commode designed by cabinetmaker Georg Haupt, who created pieces for the Royal Palace, making the furniture a fixture of everyday Swedish life.

Find a collection of antique Gustavian seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Commodes-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.