Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Danish Bauhaus Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Mahogany
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century British Adam Style Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Irish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1760s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1820s Scottish George IV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
2010s Danish Bauhaus Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Metal
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Glass, Walnut
1820s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Birch, Burl
1740s English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Acrylic, Hardwood, Paint
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Wood
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Bronze
20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Walnut, Burl, Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Maple, Wood
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
18th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Glass, Walnut
1910s French Empire Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Wood
19th Century Irish Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Pine
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.