Used 5 Drawer Chest
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Tulipwood
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Ivory
Vintage 1950s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Modern Dressers
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Metal
Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Antique 18th Century Dutch Sideboards
Walnut, Oak
Antique 19th Century British George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl, Oak, Satinwood, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1930s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver Leaf
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Porcelain, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George III Commodes and Chests ...
Mid-20th Century French Provincial Night Stands
Wood
Antique 19th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Vintage 1940s American Dressers
Antique Late 18th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Classical Dressers
Oak
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique 1850s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Vintage 1950s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Padouk, Satinwood
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Used 5 Drawer Chest For Sale on 1stDibs
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Finding the Right Commodes-chests-of-drawers for You
Shopping for 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 any case 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. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Yes, a chest of drawers can be used as a bedside table, provided that you have enough space beside your bed to accommodate it. If you want to be able to easily reach items on the top of the chest, choose a piece that is about 2 to 4 inches taller than your mattress. Shop a variety of bedroom furniture on 1stDibs.
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