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DESIGN 101
What's the Difference: Chest of Drawers vs. Dressers
Everyone knows what a bed is and the difference between a nightstand and a coffee table. But what makes one piece of furniture a chest of drawers instead of a dresser? These are distinct pieces, although they both serve as in-room storage for clothes and bedding.
New designs have blurred the line between the two, so it's not hard to find a piece that works perfectly for your space. Here's a bit of a primer on the differences and how you can choose the right combination of design and function.
Quick Overview of Chests of Drawers and Dressers
Your bedroom probably has just a few pieces of furniture: the bed, perhaps a sitting chair, an end table, and a dresser or chest of drawers. These last two are multifunctional pieces that offer storage and display space, and anchor the style of the room.
Dressers and chests of drawers can be made from different materials, but many are wood that's been painted or stained to fit a particular aesthetic. They might have metal accents for handles and joints or have a fiberboard base. Both contain drawers where you can place miscellaneous items, clothing, and items of value.
So, what's the difference between the two? Typically, size, shape, and function are the main factors. However, you may have a need for both (and the space to accommodate them).
What Is a Dresser?
"Dress" is the key hint here. A dresser is deep and long enough to mount a mirror above it and place items like hair brushes, jewelry cases, and hair dryers on top. It keeps everything you need to get ready organized in one spot.
Dressers don't always have mirrors mounted on top though. This can be an excellent space to mount a lamp, framed photos, or anything else that fits your room's theme or aesthetic. Dressers complement almost any style. A white dresser, for example, can be the central feature of a minimalist bedroom and a cozier, more rustic room.
Dressers are low to the ground, deep, and wide. They're horizontal instead of vertical. The standard dresser dimensions vary, but it's typically about 60 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 30 inches tall. Your dresser will be about waist height. Since not everyone is the same height, this is just a rough estimate.
What Is a Chest of Drawers?
The primary feature of a chest of drawers is the drawers. It’s taller and narrower than a dresser and might be less deep. It's more vertical than horizontal. A chest of drawers is where you can tuck away smaller items or things you might not use frequently.
It's not the best place to put a mirror, lamp, photos, and decor, as the top of the chest is likely up high and out of reach. A chest of drawers is usually 44 inches to 60 inches tall or higher.
While some chests of drawers are wide enough to have at least two functional drawers side-by-side or be deep enough to resemble an armoire or wardrobe, they still typically take up more vertical space than a dresser.
What's the Difference Between a Dresser and a Chest of Drawers?
The main difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers is the shape. A dresser is long, wide, and deep. A chest of drawers is tall, narrow, and shallow.
But even this isn't quite accurate, as your options for dressers include pieces that can fit in even the most compact of bedrooms. A chest of drawers might similarly have enough space on the top for decorative items.
Both pieces of furniture typically have drawers. You'd think a chest of drawers might have more drawers than a dresser, but small dressers can have three to five drawers, while larger ones have six to 10. There's a wide range
A shorter chest of drawers with just two or three drawers might sometimes be called a night table or small storage unit.
Choosing Between a Dresser and a Chest of Drawers
There are several things you can consider when you're looking for a dresser or a chest. If you're wanting more storage, a dresser might offer more room. Even though a dresser is longer with fewer drawers, the space inside is typically larger.
Think about whether you'd like a surface that's within easy reach. Even if you don't need a vanity mirror in your bedroom, you still might like a convenient place to throw down your keys or items you don't want to forget as you're walking out of the room. A dresser can provide this extra space, whether it's for practical or design purposes.
If your floor space is tight, you might opt for a chest that is taller than it is wide. This can be easier to incorporate in a smaller room where the bed takes up most of the available area. A chest can neatly fit into any corner or even next to a window without obstructing the view.
Incorporating both into your home
Of course, you can have the best of both worlds: a matching dresser and a chest of drawers. One way to incorporate both is to place the dresser along one wall and a chest on the opposite side. This offers many more storage options and frames your room around the bed.
The Best of Both
The distinction between a chest and a dresser might be a little vague, especially since you have a range of options for furniture pieces that fall in the middle. If you want a place to put away clothing or other items, either piece is functional, so it often comes down to what you think looks best. You may even want both for the extra storage.