Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Onyx, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
1990s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
2010s Mexican Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century Hungarian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
1970s French Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Early 2000s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
2010s English Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Steel
1990s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nickel
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 1900s Italian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fir, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
2010s Brazilian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1850s Italian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Fir
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Onyx, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Linen
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Maple, Teak
2010s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
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.