Used Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Rattan
Late 20th Century American American Empire Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Maple
Early 20th Century American Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century British Used Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Used Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century Japanese Used Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Late 20th Century Belgian Brutalist Used Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century English Used Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Used Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1990s Campaign Used Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1780s Danish Louis XVI Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s American Organic Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Grasscloth, Bamboo
1750s Swiss Baroque Used Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century English Georgian Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century British High Victorian Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1810s German Empire Used Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1980s Regency Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American American Empire Used Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Rope
Early 19th Century French Used Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s German Baroque Used Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1830s Danish Empire Used Chests of Drawers
Opaline Glass, Mahogany
1830s North American Empire Used Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1860s French Napoleon III Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1700s French Used Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Jacaranda
1890s French Louis XVI Used Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Used Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century Biedermeier Used Chests of Drawers
Birch, Lacquer
1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Used Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Late 18th Century English George III Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century British Used Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s French Directoire Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Used Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English Georgian Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
1990s Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century German Biedermeier Used Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Italian Other Used Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1800s French Empire Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1800s George III Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
1810s French Directoire Used Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Early 19th Century George III Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Used Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s British Art Deco Used Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Brass
1830s Italian Used Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Italian Modern Used Chests of Drawers
Steel
Early 20th Century English Used Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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Used Chests of Drawers For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Used Chests of Drawers?
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.
- What is a tansu chest used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A tansu chest is a Japanese cabinet designed for easy transportation and can store a variety of items, including clothes and personal items. Tansu chests often feature multiple compartments to keep items organized. Shop a selection of authentic tansu chests on 1stDibs.
- What are Bombay chests used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bombay chests are also called bombe chests and are a chest of drawers that feature a distinctive curved or bowed shape. The term bombe is French for a curved piece of furniture, meaning bomb-shaped. This shape of chest originated in the early 1700s in an attempt to soften the lines of furniture and create a more comfortable and casual look. Shop a collection of Bombay chests from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bachelor’s chest of drawers is a relatively short and shallow chest, usually with three or four drawers. The name refers to their historical use as multi-purpose, space-saving fixtures that are perfect for a bachelor sharing a friend’s flat. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique and modern bachelor’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A chest of drawers is also sometimes known as a dresser or a bureau. It is a cabinet with several parallel horizontal drawers stacked on top of one another. A chest of drawers is frequently used to store clothing and a variety of personal items. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify an antique chest of drawers, look inside and beneath drawers and on the back and bottom for any type of maker's marking. Researching these marks using trusted online resources may allow you to determine who produced your chest and roughly date your piece. If your chest is at least 100 years old, it is an antique. Should you be unable to locate the maker's marks, look at the hardware. Rose head nails, one-piece cast brass pommels on the drawer handles and circular rather than hexagonal bolts may all indicate that a piece is an antique. Keep in mind that hardware may have been replaced at some point and that there are many reproductions of antique furnishings. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer complete the identification process if you're unable to identify your chest via the maker's markings. Find a range of antique chests of drawers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A man’s chest of drawers is also known as a gentleman’s chest. It is characterized by its tall cabinet section that hangs clothes like suits and pants, and also features a column of drawers. Shop a collection of gentleman’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The first chest of drawers was invented by Chinese physician Hua Tuo during the 3rd century. In the west, chests of drawers began to appear during the 17th century and rose in popularity from there. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique chests of drawers from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A low chest of drawers is called a lowboy. A lowboy sits at waist height and was a prominent piece of bedroom furniture in the 18th century. These low chests of drawers were a clothing storage solution before tallboys and highboys came into fashion. On 1stDibs, there is a variety of antique and vintage low chests of drawers available for sale.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A tall chest of drawers is known as a standard chest of drawers and also as a vertical chest. These are tall and narrow storage pieces. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage tall chests of drawers.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024What a large chest of drawers is called depends on its proportions. In the United States, a wide piece about waist-high is usually called a dresser. A tall, thin chest of drawers is typically referred to as a highboy. On 1stDibs, you can find a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary chests of drawers.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A chest of drawers with a mirror attached is called a bureau. This type of case piece is usually waist-high with a mirror that rests on the top of the structure. They are mainly used in bedrooms. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Dressers are designed to offer a place for you to dress, with the top functioning as a table on which to place your clothing. It will offer space for a mirror, whereas chests of drawers are typically exactly that — they provide ample storage while taking up little floor space. A dresser is usually wide and short, while a chest of drawers is narrow and tall. Both types of furniture are commonly used to store clothing and other items in drawers. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary dressers and chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 1, 2024Yes, there is a difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers. 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.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This type of case piece was originally a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period.
Find antique and vintage dressers for sale on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024The difference between a bureau, a chest of drawers and a dresser comes down to shape and function. Dressers and chests of drawers are both types of bedroom furniture that feature storage drawers. However, bureaus tend to be wider and shorter, while chests of drawers are narrower and taller. Often used for storage outside of bedrooms, bureaus are usually about the same height as dressers but are shorter than chests of drawers. Find a wide range of casegoods on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between a dresser, a bureau and a chest of drawers is where you place these furnishings and their overall shapes and designs. Usually positioned in a bedroom, a dresser is a wide, low casegood consisting of two or more columns of drawers. When this type of furniture is placed in a living room, office, library or other space beyond the bedroom, people normally refer to it as a bureau. Another type of bedroom furnishing is a chest of drawers, which is a tall vertical column of drawers stacked one above the other. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of dressers, bureaus and chests of drawers.
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