Commodes and Chests of Drawers





21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Copper
1950s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Aluminum
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1950s Belgian French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Wood
20th Century Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s American Neoclassical Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ultrasuede, Beech, Walnut
Late 19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Steel
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Chrome
19th Century Japanese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1930s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Pine
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech, Mahogany, Walnut, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s Italian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century American Sheraton Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Teak
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s American Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s American American Empire Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
2010s English Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver
2010s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Leather, Art Glass, Mirror, Oak
1920s Dutch Rococo Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Burl
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 1700s English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Boxwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Mid-19th Century French William IV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan, Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Enamel, Nickel
20th Century French Louis XIV 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.