Commodes and Chests of Drawers





Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Danish Bauhaus Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Mahogany
1970s European Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
2010s Ukrainian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Belgian French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
19th Century Swedish Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Bronze
20th Century Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1990s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ultrasuede, Beech, Walnut
19th Century Japanese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Copper
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive
2010s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Copper
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Ceramic
Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s American Shaker Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1920s American American Empire Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
18th Century and Earlier Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Teak
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
2010s English Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver
1920s Dutch Rococo Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Burl
Early 1700s English William and Mary 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.