Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Raffia, Rattan
2010s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
1980s Biedermeier Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 2000s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
19th Century French Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
2010s Italian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Italian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
Early 2000s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl, Walnut
1980s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 2000s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Japanese Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wool
Early 2000s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Swedish Jugendstil Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fir
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Lacquer
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1940s German Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood, Satinwood
1970s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century American Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
19th Century Dutch Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Travertine, Brass
Late 18th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
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.