Commodes and Chests of Drawers





Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver
1990s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Danish Bauhaus Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Mahogany
2010s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 18th Century French Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1950s Belgian French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century American Other Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Copper
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
2010s British Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s American Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1940s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s French French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1920s American American Empire Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Granite
1910s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Czech Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s French French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany, Plywood, Lacquer
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1930s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
Late 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
Early 20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1830s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique and Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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 and double chests — tallboys and highboys, which were essentially one chest on top of another — 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. 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.