Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1960s American American Colonial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Mirror
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Goatskin, Macassar
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic, Hardwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century English Sheraton Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
1950s American Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s French Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Early 20th Century American Hepplewhite Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century European Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birdseye Maple
1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Antique and Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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 and double chests — tallboys and highboys, which were essentially one chest on top of another — 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. 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.