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Distressed Vintage Georgian Style Yew Wood Chest of Drawers
Distressed Vintage Georgian Style Yew Wood Chest of Drawers

Distressed Vintage Georgian Style Yew Wood Chest of Drawers

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Distressed Georgian Style Yew Wood Small Chest of Drawers. Very lovely little chest can be used as a bedside table or anywhere ar...

Category

20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Black Lacquer and Lucite Small Chests of Drawers
Pair of Mid-Century Black Lacquer and Lucite Small Chests of Drawers

Pair of Mid-Century Black Lacquer and Lucite Small Chests of Drawers

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of Mid-Century chest of drawers with a black lacquer finish, raised decorative lucite drawer details, lucite drawer pulls, and black glass tops. (PRICED AS Pair) one dresser do...

Category

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

Materials

Lucite, Wood, Glass

Small Regency period marquetry in-between chest of drawers, France circa 1715/23
Small Regency period marquetry in-between chest of drawers, France circa 1715/23

Small Regency period marquetry in-between chest of drawers, France circa 1715/23

Located in Paris, FR

Attractive LXIV-Regence period (1715 / 1723) in-between chest of drawers in several species of precious wood on an solid oak core. Original top in Aleppo breccia marble and original ...

Category

Antique 18th Century French Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

Small Biedermeier Mahogany Wood & Veneer Dresser Circa 1930 With Marble Top
Small Biedermeier Mahogany Wood & Veneer Dresser Circa 1930 With Marble Top

Small Biedermeier Mahogany Wood & Veneer Dresser Circa 1930 With Marble Top

Located in Opole, PL

Small Biedermeier Dresser Circa 1930 with Marble Top A small dresser with a marble top, featuring five drawers, made of mahogany wood and mahogany veneer. The piece is polished, wit...

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Small Drawers
Small Drawers

Small Drawers

Located in London, GB

This small chest of drawers is refined and compact in size, yet rich in detail.

Category

Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Small Danish Louis XVI Style Chest of Drawers with Gray Paint and Patina ca 1900
Small Danish Louis XVI Style Chest of Drawers with Gray Paint and Patina ca 1900

Small Danish Louis XVI Style Chest of Drawers with Gray Paint and Patina ca 1900

Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg

Small Danish Louis XVI Seize style chest of drawers made circa 1880 of solid wood by a skilled carpenter.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Small Biedermeier Nightstand/Commode in Honey Tone Burled Wood/ Ebony Columns
Small Biedermeier Nightstand/Commode in Honey Tone Burled Wood/ Ebony Columns

Small Biedermeier Nightstand/Commode in Honey Tone Burled Wood/ Ebony Columns

Located in Malibu, CA

The top drawer is deeper, set above three smaller, evenly sized drawers. Framed by elegant ebony columns accented with bronze mounts.

Category

Antique 1830s Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

LOVELY VINTAGE BURR & BURL YEW WOOD GEORGIAN STYLE MEDIUM SIZE CHEST OF DRAWERs
LOVELY VINTAGE BURR & BURL YEW WOOD GEORGIAN STYLE MEDIUM SIZE CHEST OF DRAWERs

LOVELY VINTAGE BURR & BURL YEW WOOD GEORGIAN STYLE MEDIUM SIZE CHEST OF DRAWERs

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Burr & Burl Yew wood small bank or chest of drawers made in the Georgian taste Please note the...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Yew

Small Wooden Drawer
Small Wooden Drawer

Small Wooden Drawer

Located in London, GB

This compact chest of drawers exemplifies minimalism elevated by expert craftsmanship and intelligent design. Its sleek, rectangular silhouette is defined by clean lines and a floati...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Small Bedside Commode
Small Bedside Commode

Small Bedside Commode

Located in Vista, CA

Small bedside commode. Louis XV style. circa 1860.

Category

Antique 1860s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Small 19th Century Italian Painted Bedside Commodes
Pair of Small 19th Century Italian Painted Bedside Commodes

Pair of Small 19th Century Italian Painted Bedside Commodes

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Simple and elegant pair of small 19th Century Italian bedside commodes or side tables.  Later painted in a pale greyish white. With working locks and keys.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Italian Small Marble Top Commode
18th Century Italian Small Marble Top Commode

18th Century Italian Small Marble Top Commode

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Fine 18th Century Italian commode in excellent condition. French polish is in excellent condition.

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

small late 19th century English red lacquered Chinoiserie marble top commode
small late 19th century English red lacquered Chinoiserie marble top commode

small late 19th century English red lacquered Chinoiserie marble top commode

Located in Dallas, TX

A fine late 19th century to turn of the century English red lacquered small commode with Chinoiserie decoration and gilt bronze mounts. Marble top . Original locks and keys

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Small Mirror Nightstand with Laundry Hamper Wonderful Patina
Mid-Century Modern Small Mirror Nightstand with Laundry Hamper Wonderful Patina

Mid-Century Modern Small Mirror Nightstand with Laundry Hamper Wonderful Patina

Located in Highwood, IL

Mid-Century Modern Small Mirror Nightstand with built in Laundry Hamper. Could be just the item to give your closet a little pizzazz without depleting your checking account. You coul...

Category

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

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

PH Small Drawer Chest, wood legs, mahogany veneer, white ash wood drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, wood legs, mahogany veneer, white ash wood drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, wood legs, mahogany veneer, white ash wood drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

PH Small Drawer Chest, wood legs, natural oak veneer, white ash wood drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, wood legs, natural oak veneer, white ash wood drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, wood legs, natural oak veneer, white ash wood drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Wood, Oak

PH Small Drawer Chest, Wood Legs, Black Oak Veneer, White Ash Wood Drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, Wood Legs, Black Oak Veneer, White Ash Wood Drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, Wood Legs, Black Oak Veneer, White Ash Wood Drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Wood, Oak

Antique Small Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest on Stand, circa 1920s
Antique Small Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest on Stand, circa 1920s

Antique Small Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest on Stand, circa 1920s

Located in Norton, MA

Small Vintage Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest on Stand, circa 1920s, having four drawers with brass pulls, set on a carved wooden base, set atop a wooden stand, 12 1/2" high (18" with...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Furniture

Materials

Brass

Agresti Arco Small Armored Chest
Agresti Arco Small Armored Chest

Agresti Arco Small Armored Chest

By Agresti

Located in New York, NY

Polished white bird’s eye maple or polished walnut matte finish armored chest, 24-karat gold plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrat...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate

Japanese Maki-e Lacquered Wood Kodansu Small Chest with Drawers Meiji Period
Japanese Maki-e Lacquered Wood Kodansu Small Chest with Drawers Meiji Period

Japanese Maki-e Lacquered Wood Kodansu Small Chest with Drawers Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

An antique Japanese Kodansu with two compartments and multiple drawers with red lacquer finish and gold Maki-e and wonderful Raden shell inlays decoration. This rather unusual piece ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

In the style of Maxime Old, small wood and leather chest of drawers.
In the style of Maxime Old, small wood and leather chest of drawers.

In the style of Maxime Old, small wood and leather chest of drawers.

Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur

In the style of Maxime Old, a small chest of drawers in wood covered with red leather, featuring eight drawers and a central leather-covered pull-out shelf, brass drawer pulls, circ...

Category

Vintage 1940s French Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Antique Gibson Refrigerator Co. Victorian Small Oak Wood Icebox Ice Chest
Antique Gibson Refrigerator Co. Victorian Small Oak Wood Icebox Ice Chest

Antique Gibson Refrigerator Co. Victorian Small Oak Wood Icebox Ice Chest

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Gibson Refrigerator Co. Small Oak Wood Victorian Icebox Ice Chest. Item features solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, 4 tin metal shelves, quality American, origina...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Oak

18th Century Small Black Jewelry Chest
18th Century Small Black Jewelry Chest

18th Century Small Black Jewelry Chest

Located in Dallas, TX

This old wooden chest was probably a jewelry box back in the day. It was painted in black then hand painted with decor and organic forms throughout. The two wooden front doors open t...

Category

Antique 18th Century Asian Antiquities

Materials

Wood, Paint

PH Small Drawer Chest, Mahogany, Emerald Green Leather, Wood legs, Ash Drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, Mahogany, Emerald Green Leather, Wood legs, Ash Drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, Mahogany, Emerald Green Leather, Wood legs, Ash Drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

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 details. The antique painted finish provides an authentic patina, while dental moldings ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Night Stands

Materials

Wood

18th Century Italian Baroque Small Chest of Drawers
18th Century Italian Baroque Small Chest of Drawers

18th Century Italian Baroque Small Chest of Drawers

Located in Kent, CT

An 18th century Italian credenza or small chest of three drawers made from Baroque elements, including original church architectural parts. Heavily carved and having three drawers wi...

Category

Antique 18th Century Baroque Dressers

Materials

Wood

PH Small Drawer Chest, Wood Legs, Mahogany Veneer, Red Leather White Ash Drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, Wood Legs, Mahogany Veneer, Red Leather White Ash Drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, Wood Legs, Mahogany Veneer, Red Leather White Ash Drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Rustic Primitive Natural Pine Small Apothecary Chest, 1940s
Rustic Primitive Natural Pine Small Apothecary Chest, 1940s

Rustic Primitive Natural Pine Small Apothecary Chest, 1940s

Located in Benalmadena, ES

A handcrafted small-scale cabinetry piece constructed from solid pine, dating to the 1940s.

Category

Vintage 1940s Spanish Folk Art Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Small Antique Spanish Colonial Chest, Late 1700’s
Small Antique Spanish Colonial Chest, Late 1700’s

Small Antique Spanish Colonial Chest, Late 1700’s

By NONO

Located in Guadalajra, Jal

Small Antique Spanish Colonial Chest, Late 1700’s Small colonial chest made of mesquite wood with remnants of paint.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Antique Cherry Commode, Late 18th Century
Antique Cherry Commode, Late 18th Century

Antique Cherry Commode, Late 18th Century

Located in Montelabbate, PU

Small feather cherry wood chest of drawers, late 18th century.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Cherry

Japanese Antique Cedar Small Drawer Chest, 1930s–1950s, Wabi-Sabi
Japanese Antique Cedar Small Drawer Chest, 1930s–1950s, Wabi-Sabi

Japanese Antique Cedar Small Drawer Chest, 1930s–1950s, Wabi-Sabi

Located in Chiba, Chiba

A Japanese antique small drawer chest crafted from solid cedar, dating from the 1930s–1950s. Compact in size and practical in form, the piece features five drawers arranged in a simp...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Furniture

Materials

Wood

English Bow Front Small Chest of Drawers of Flame Mahogany
English Bow Front Small Chest of Drawers of Flame Mahogany

English Bow Front Small Chest of Drawers of Flame Mahogany

Located in Austin, TX

A fine English bow-front chest of drawers or bedside dresser of mahogany from the 19th century, featuring a bowed top with a decorative inlay around the perimeter, over a frieze of t...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Dressers

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Jewelry Box, Small Chest, Silver Ornament, circa 1900
Antique Jewelry Box, Small Chest, Silver Ornament, circa 1900

Antique Jewelry Box, Small Chest, Silver Ornament, circa 1900

Located in Greven, DE

Beautiful box with silver ornament plate at the top. The wood box ist painted black and the colour is in a good condition.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metallic Thread

Southeast Asian Red Painted Apothecary Chest, Small Scale, Circa 1900
Southeast Asian Red Painted Apothecary Chest, Small Scale, Circa 1900

Southeast Asian Red Painted Apothecary Chest, Small Scale, Circa 1900

Located in Stamford, CT

Red painted five drawer table top apothecary chest with black iron handles. A sweet little piece for trinkets, valuables or as great looking pill box! A wonderful decorative item, th...

Category

Early 20th Century Southeast Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Wooden Small Rectangular Chest with Hand Painted Exotic Birds
Chinese Wooden Small Rectangular Chest with Hand Painted Exotic Birds

Chinese Wooden Small Rectangular Chest with Hand Painted Exotic Birds

Located in Queens, NY

Chinese Mid-Century small rectangular hinged chest with metal latch and two side ring handles, hand painted featuring two exotic birds (depicted on the top and front), pine, berries,...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Small Antique Apprentice Chest, English, Camphorwood, Storage Box, circa 1920
Small Antique Apprentice Chest, English, Camphorwood, Storage Box, circa 1920

Small Antique Apprentice Chest, English, Camphorwood, Storage Box, circa 1920

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a small antique apprentice chest. An English, camphorwood sample storage box, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Superb craftsmanship in miniature from the hand...

Category

Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Mahogany Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Mahogany Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Mahogany Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Vintage Small Campaign Style Trunk Chest on Brass Base Accent Side Table
Vintage Small Campaign Style Trunk Chest on Brass Base Accent Side Table

Vintage Small Campaign Style Trunk Chest on Brass Base Accent Side Table

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Small Campaign Style Trunk Chest on Brass Base Accent Side Table. Item features brass base, removable wooden trunk with distressed finish, nice smaller size, very nice vintag...

Category

Mid-20th Century Campaign Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Japanese Antique Tansu Drawer Chest Edo Meiji Small Drawers Wabi Sabi Cabinet
Japanese Antique Tansu Drawer Chest Edo Meiji Small Drawers Wabi Sabi Cabinet

Japanese Antique Tansu Drawer Chest Edo Meiji Small Drawers Wabi Sabi Cabinet

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a Japanese antique drawer chest, believed to date from the late Edo period to early Meiji period circa 1800s to 1900s.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Antique Chinese Red Lacquered Ming Style Lined Small Chest or Trunk
Antique Chinese Red Lacquered Ming Style Lined Small Chest or Trunk

Antique Chinese Red Lacquered Ming Style Lined Small Chest or Trunk

Located in Doylestown, PA

Antique Chinese red lacquered Ming style lined small chest or trunk, circa 1920. This handsome chest features unique oversized brass hardware, a fabric lined interior and two side h...

Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Ming Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Brass

PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Natural Oak Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Natural Oak Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Natural Oak Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Wood, Oak

PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Black Oak Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers
PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Black Oak Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers

PH Small Drawer Chest, Brass Legs, Black Oak Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers

By Poul Henningsen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels.

Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Dressers

Materials

Wood, Oak

A 16th/17th Century Style French Red Lacquered Small Chest
A 16th/17th Century Style French Red Lacquered Small Chest

A 16th/17th Century Style French Red Lacquered Small Chest

Located in Sheffield, MA

An Early & Rare French Red Lacquered Leather Bound Wood & Iron Small Chest Height 15 in.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Boxes

19th Japanese antique Urushi small Tansu box chest of drawers wabi sabi mingei
19th Japanese antique Urushi small Tansu box chest of drawers wabi sabi mingei

19th Japanese antique Urushi small Tansu box chest of drawers wabi sabi mingei

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

from Tohoku area, Japan. Japanese antique small box tansu chest of drawers, Kohikidashi, made of Sugi Cedar.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Antique Scandinavian Baroque Style Oak Sewing Box Small Chest with Key Mid 1800
Antique Scandinavian Baroque Style Oak Sewing Box Small Chest with Key Mid 1800

Antique Scandinavian Baroque Style Oak Sewing Box Small Chest with Key Mid 1800

Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg

Antique Scandinavian Baroque style sewing box made from solid oak with a warm patina. Manufactured ca mid 1800. The box has a pin cushion on top and comes with its original iron key...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Baroque Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Wood

1916 Japanese antique small box chest of drawers w/ Boro ribbon, wabi sabi tansu
1916 Japanese antique small box chest of drawers w/ Boro ribbon, wabi sabi tansu

1916 Japanese antique small box chest of drawers w/ Boro ribbon, wabi sabi tansu

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

108 years-old wooden small tansu (chest of drawers) with 4 drawers. Product of Taisho 5 (1916), written on the bottom together with maker's address & name.

Category

Vintage 1910s Japanese Taisho Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Cedar

19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint

19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint

Located in Boden, SE

Decorative Wood imitaition painted small chest /box with beautiful brass fittings & small brass knop.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Elmwood Early 20th Century Makeup Chest with Doors and Drawers
Elmwood Early 20th Century Makeup Chest with Doors and Drawers

Elmwood Early 20th Century Makeup Chest with Doors and Drawers

Located in Yonkers, NY

Created in China during the early years of the 20th century, this small elm wood makeup chest features a rectangular top with mortise and tenon as well as dovetail construction, sitt...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Split Reed Bamboo Rattan End Table or Nightstand, 1970s
Split Reed Bamboo Rattan End Table or Nightstand, 1970s

Split Reed Bamboo Rattan End Table or Nightstand, 1970s

Located in Barcelona, ES

This small chests have a wood and bamboo construction featuring three drawers with bamboo pulls.

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Reed

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Small Wood Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the small wood chest you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every small wood chest was constructed with great care. Find 186 options for an antique or vintage small wood chest now, or shop our selection of 13 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a small wood chest — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A small wood chest made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Louis XV — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made small wood chest over the years, but those crafted by Poul Henningsen, Paul McCobb and Winchendon Furniture (Planner Group) are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Small Wood Chest?

Prices for a small wood chest start at $299 and top out at $30,420 with the average selling for $2,858.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially 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. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

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