Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Laminate
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1970s American Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Raffia, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1840s Unknown Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s German Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Chrome
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Bamboo
Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wicker
1760s Sicilian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Pine
20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1990s English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paper
1940s Dutch Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1990s English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paper
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror
19th Century Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s American Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Early 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century American Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s Indian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
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.