Dressers and Chests

Dressers and chests are key pieces of bedroom furniture, providing much-needed storage for a neverending clothing collection. If you maintain a capsule wardrobe, one bedroom dresser might be enough while others might require two or three. Although your bedroom furniture is need-based, it's also determined by the space in your room. Before you take on the wide variety of dressers for sale, review these helpful tips:

What’s the difference between bedroom dressers and chests?

A chest is a tall, vertical stack of drawers, often referred to as a chest of drawers. A dresser is a wide set of drawers with a lower profile. The layout of your room will likely dictate whether you should be shopping for a chest or dresser. A tall bedroom chest of drawers works well with limited floor space while a long dresser may be better suited for those with the desire to use the top surface as a shelf to display decor and personal items.

What size bedroom dresser should I buy?

Even though you want to have plenty of space for clothing and accessories, a large dresser in a tiny space could prevent you from maneuvering around your own bedroom. Jot down dresser dimensions and map out where it might go before you buy. Consider not only the dresser’s footprint, but also the space surrounding it that you’ll need to open cabinets and drawers. Also think about the the type of items you’ll store in each dresser drawer. Do you need a three-drawer dresser or a six-drawer dresser? Would you rather have several shallow drawers in a lingerie chest or open shelves for housing DVDs and game systems in a media chest?

What style dresser should I buy?

For a modern look, try a simple white dresser or a black dresser. Mirrored designer dressers are inline with contemporary style, and if you prefer a more traditional look, try a solid wood dresser or a chest in a neutral-colored stain. You could also display some unique antique decor or vintage jewelry on top. Consider how you’ll use your new dresser too. Single bathroom households might benefit from a dresser with a mirror where one person can get ready in the bedroom while the other showers. If bedside devices are interrupting your sleep cycle, invest in a chest with a built-in charging station to unplug before bed. You could even use chests beyond the bedroom. For example, use a rustic dresser in the dining room in lieu a buffet of to stash tablecloths and extra dinnerware.