Commodes and Chests of Drawers
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Rococo Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
2010s Ukrainian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Renaissance Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Parchment Paper
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Chrome
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century American Hepplewhite Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century European George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Granite, Metal, Brass
1920s British Edwardian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 20th Century American Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Swedish Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1910s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
Late 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver
Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s American Streamlined Moderne Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Travertine
Late 19th Century English Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Boxwood, Satinwood, Rosewood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood, Satinwood
1930s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
Antique and Vintage Chests of Drawers and Commodes for Sale on 1stDibs
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 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.