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A Buyer's Guide to Finding the Perfect Dresser
Dressers are often primarily thought of first for function and second for how they can play a role in the feel of a room.
However, while the bed frame is the most prominent part of your bedroom set, the dresser is more than a mere side piece. You want this important furniture to store your clothes, accessories, and other belongings for easy access. In many cases, its flat surface is also the perfect place to store car keys, watches, and jewelry.
Dressers are multi-functional, so how do you bring all those needs into one piece? With this dresser buying guide, you’ll discover how to find the perfect dresser for your bedroom sanctuary.
Determine the Style
Before you can narrow the options, you need to figure out the best style for the room. Often, it’s a matter of looking at the rest of your bedroom furniture. If most of the pieces have a more traditional feel with curving posts and trim, you’d do well to keep to that same look. However, if the set of furniture is a bit more eclectic, try to find the style that’s most prominent — or pick your favorite.
What happens if you’re trying to find a complementary style for the existing furniture but don’t want it to match? Try to pull out a few features, whether it’s a scrolling metal accent on the bed frame or a sleek honey finish on the nightstand. Then, you can hone in on those features when picking a complementary style.
Find the Right Size
Select a dresser that's too big, and it will overtake the bed. Choose one that's too small and will never get a chance to shine — or be functional enough for your purposes.
You’ll also want to match the dresser size to the size of your room. If you have a small bedroom, you should look for a smaller dresser. Larger bedrooms should have a bigger dresser to avoid too much empty square footage.
In general, small dressers have about three to five drawers. Large dressers may have five to 10 drawers. You might see items described as "chests of drawers" or "dressers." These pieces can sometimes look similar — especially when they have three to four drawers. If you see a taller, narrow piece, though, it’s a chest of drawers.
Some dressers have drawers of identical height and width. Others have shallower drawers at the top and larger drawers on the bottom. In addition to considering the appearance, check that your clothing will fit into the drawers.
Tip: Measure the dresser and compare it to the space you’ve selected. This will ensure the dresser fits in your bedroom.
Choose the Material
The dresser’s material has a big influence on how much it costs and how long it may last, so it's important to choose one that suits your space, needs, and budget.
Wood
Many dressers are made of wood. Pine is a common material which is durable, reasonably priced, and easy to stain (or paint). You might also find dressers made of:
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Oak
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Maple
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Ash
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Poplar
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Cedar
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Mahogany
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Cherry
Less common or higher-quality wood will also have a higher price. Hardwood, like cherry, maple, or mahogany, is generally more expensive than softwood, such as pine and cedar. However, it can add a beautiful feel to a space and will last for years to come.
Manufactured Wood
You might also have a dresser made with MDF, or medium-density fiberboard. This product is made from wood fibers and is lighter weight than solid wood. MDF is less expensive and also supports less weight, so it may be better for children’s rooms or only as drawer sides.
Metal
Dressers may have metal drawers, accents, or side panels, especially if they’re designed in a specific style, such as industrial or art deco. The drawers might be hidden behind a front panel or double doors.
Check the Joints and Hardware
You’ve narrowed your options to a few dressers. Now, check the joints and other hardware to make sure they’re good quality. Dovetail joints, which are notched connectors that join to pieces of wood, have excellent strength. These joints help the drawers keep a firm hold. Nails also have good strength but may splinter if there’s too much weight. Glue tends to lose strength quickly and is more common in lower-quality dressers. However, these affordable options are still a suitable choice if you may change styles soon or have kids with growing needs.
The track hardware is also important. Metal sliders are common in many dressers but can catch or loosen, especially if the drawers are overfilled. Wooden grooves are more resilient.
Upgrade Your Bedroom With the Perfect Dresser
By considering the style, size, material, and joinery, you can find the ideal dresser for your bedroom set. This gorgeous yet practical piece of bedroom furniture can enhance your room’s design and bring years of reliable use.