Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Copper
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Giltwood, Paint
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Early 1900s Swedish Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1920s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Oak
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1870s British Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century British Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary German Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century British Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century North American Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 2000s American Mission Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1930s Arts and Crafts Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1930s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
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.