Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1750s Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
1740s English George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 17th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive, Sycamore
1970s French Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
17th Century Spanish Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chestnut
1680s English Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan
1760s English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1770s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century British Adam Style Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s American Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s European Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
1970s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1790s French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1970s French Bohemian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century French Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic, Fiberglass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-17th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-17th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1770s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Poplar, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1780s English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
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.