Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1940s American Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1810s Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Dutch Renaissance Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1860s Italian Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s Italian Rococo Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive, Walnut
20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1920s Unknown Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Paint
19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Dutch Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1890s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Chippendale Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s British Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
1860s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century American Hepplewhite Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1920s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Philippine Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Walnut
20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Early 20th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Hardwood, Maple
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1940s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Mirror, Fruitwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary European Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
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.