Commodes and Chests of Drawers
2010s Italian Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fir
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Philippine Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1820s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
1890s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Dutch Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-19th Century Canadian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Pine, Paint
1950s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 19th Century Canadian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1780s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Mid-18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century European Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1840s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
17th Century Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Tortoise Shell, Wood
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.