Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century Anglo-Japanese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
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
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Sheet Metal, Zinc
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
1980s North American Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paper
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1870s Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver
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
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint, Wood
2010s Portuguese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 2000s Italian Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Copper
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather
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 Asian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s British Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather
1830s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather
20th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1950s American Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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.