Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
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
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
2010s Italian Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Art Glass, Mirror, Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
2010s Philippine Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, 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
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel, Chrome
2010s Dutch Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Rock Crystal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
2010s Italian Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Mirror
2010s American Minimalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s American Minimalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
2010s European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
2010s American Minimalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer, Glass, Lucite
2010s American Minimalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
2010s Ukrainian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
2010s American Minimalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rock Crystal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lucite, Wood, Python
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Wood, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Python, Lucite
2010s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
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.