A chest of drawers is one of the most versatile furniture pieces a person can buy. They’re utilised in bedrooms, living rooms and hallways alike and always provide that coveted extra storage for clothes and other household items. Plus, you also get to use the tabletop for things like mirrors, keys and bits and bobs or, with some, even as a nursery changing table.
However, many people look for a chest of drawers based on aesthetics, and although this is important, the functionality is arguably more so. With that in mind, we created this guide to cover the basics of dresser shopping. We've also compiled reviews for ten top-rated pieces to buy on John Lewis and Amazon including trending retro styles, classic white cabinets and everything in between.
Quick List - Top Chests of Drawers
John Lewis & Partners
Retro-Chic Straight From the Set of Mad Men
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Just like with all pieces of furniture, ensuring you have a chest of drawers that works within the space of your room is crucial. Therefore, knowing the dimensions is a pretty big deal. However, this alone will not help you. You’ll also want to measure the room you plan on placing the furniture in to see the amount of available space you have there.
Remember, you’ll need to factor in plenty of clearance space around the drawers for them to open with someone standing in front. Furthermore, you’ll want this often very frequently accessed piece of furniture to work without obstructing any other parts of the room – think windows and doors – while still having enough space to walk around the room freely.
A bedside table is an essential piece of furniture that can provide even more storage space, here are some ideas!
Generally speaking, chests of drawers tend to be rectangular, but what we mean when we say that you need to consider the shape is whether the piece of furniture sits vertically or horizontally and is wide or narrow.
A horizontal design is the more common option. These will often stay out of the way of windows or other shelves and allow you to set up a display above them, with many people opting to put mirrors on top to create a little preparation station. Horizontal drawers do take up more floor space, though.
If floor space is limited, opt for a vertical chest of drawers. Depending on their size, you might have to forgo the option of using the top for anything, but it does mean that the room won’t feel so cramped. It’s also worth mentioning that taller options tend to have single drawers, which might not be convenient for a couple's bedroom.
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Of course, nowadays plenty of options are also painted over, with black and white among the most common finishes. These can have a modern feel to them, but they're a little more versatile as they're less likely to clash with other woods or flooring in the room.
Finally, you’ll want to give thought to the old knobs or pulls debate. Now, it’s necessary to know that there are no rules to follow when choosing, and it’s also easy to change these if you like a particular set of drawers but don't feel that the handles are quite your thing.
That said, as a rule of thumb, most designers tend to opt for knobs for doors and pulls for drawers, which is why you’ll see more pulls. This is because many of us find these comfier as the whole hand can get a hold, instead of just the fingertips. This style is also thought of as a little more contemporary.
Another factor worth considering is the finish, as you won’t want clashing finishes on different pieces of furniture throughout the room. Luckily, companies tend to stick to the same materials, so it’s just worth a moment’s thought before clicking through to purchase.
Whether you have a patch of wall in your room that needs covering up or you're simply looking for something to decorate your room, browse our favourite wall hangings for the bedroom!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ANYDAY Mix It T-bar Handle Wide 4-Drawer Chest | ![]() | Fits Seamlessly Into Most Modern Homes | |
2 | HOMCOM Zig-Zag Chest of Drawers | ![]() | A Touch of Character That Still Fits With Most Rooms | |
3 | Panana Chest of Drawers With Metal Runners, Black | ![]() | A Masterclass in Minimalism | |
4 | John Lewis & Partners Show Wood 4-Drawer Chest, Jade Green | ![]() | Retro-Chic Straight From the Set of Mad Men | |
5 | Steens Richmond 4+2 Pine Chest of Drawers | ![]() | Perfect for Practically Anywhere in the Home | |
6 | West Elm Mid-Century 6-Drawer Chest, Pebble | ![]() | Mid-Century Minimalism Done Right | |
7 | John Lewis & Partners St Ives 5-Drawer Chest, Grey Haze | ![]() | Ideal for Those Upgrading Their Furniture | |
8 | SONGMICS 5-Drawer Chest of Drawers | ![]() | Embodies the Latest Industrial Vibes | |
9 | Pipishell Fabric Storage Drawers | ![]() | Lightweight With Very Spacious Drawers | |
10 | CASART Chest Of Drawers Storage Cabinet | ![]() | An Amalgamation of Finishes for a Quirky Look |
Before we jump into the chest of drawers, we want to touch on ANYDAY. This is a subsect of John Lewis & Partners, where they provide the same quality design but at lower prices – just like this piece, which is considerably cheaper than any of the other options we've had from the company.
The furniture itself is well designed with four large, spacious drawers, each with long and comfortable pull handles. The style incorporates two finishes, a classic white and oak effect, although this can be mixed and matched should you prefer. It's simple, smart and guaranteed to fit seamlessly in most modern homes.
If the jade green number or the amalgamation of finishes from number ten were a little too much in terms of character, then this piece's zig-zags might just hit the spot. The design will add a touch of personality without the need to consider the clashes of materials or the colour palette of the decor in your room.
Furthermore, it comes in at a relatively reasonable price considering how much a person normally needs to pay for additional design features. The drawers themselves are handy, with six equally decent-sized ones., and the legs look great too.
These chest of drawers from Panana take more than a touch of inspiration from the classic IKEA MALM range, meaning that they're supremely Scandinavian-inspired. With metal running drawers and only built-in grooves along the top to open them, this is a masterclass in minimalism.
This is the six-drawer version, but the company provide plenty of different options down to smaller bedside table sizes, so finding matching furniture will be a breeze. Not only that, but they're available in a range of different finishes too, all of which have a scratch-resistant melamine coating.
There's no beating around the bush with this four-drawer chest from John Lewis & Partners – it's a bold choice. The retro-inspired design is built with poplar wood and should inspire the rest of your interior design. Alongside this rich, jade green, there is also a delicate nougat option for those who want a really 70s palette.
There might be fewer drawers than many of the other options on the list, but they're all pretty spacious, so you'll still fit plenty of items in there. Plus, what's not to like about a bit of brass bling on your handles? You'll feel like you've just walked on the set of Mad Men.
Here, we have somewhat of a classic chest of drawers from Steens. The beauty of this finish and design is that it will fit practically any part of the home, from the living area to a child's bedroom. The chest is made from pinewood, so it has a lighter finish that suits contemporary homes.
Moreover, considering the large size of the chest of drawers, the weight is surprisingly low, which is worth considering if you're thinking of moving in the next few years. You can also purchase this with expert assembly if you're not too confident of putting it together yourself.
This offering from West Elm is inspired by the mid-century modern movement, which kicked off in the USA and was popular between the 40s and mid-60s. As you can see, it incorporates a lot of the archetypal features one might expect from this style, such as clean lines, geometric shapes and minimal ornamentation.
One part of the design we particularly like is the inclusion of both knobs and handles, which add a touch of character without it being overbearing. Of course, there are some things to think about, such as the price, the weight and the large size. Still, if you've got the money and space, why not? It's stunning.
Made from a combination of woods such as responsibly sourced solid oak, birch wood and MDF, this is a durable piece of furniture with a top-quality finish. The design is inspired by the coast, which may be why we get cabin vibes from the knobs and general shape.
Furthermore, there are five drawers, three of which are large with a split smaller two on top, making it ideal for a shared bedroom or even a hallway. It's a little on the expensive side and rather heavy as well, so it might be best for those who are upgrading their furniture rather than building a home from scratch.
This vertical set of drawers from SONGMICS embodies the industrial aesthetic thanks to the deep wood and black steel frame, a style that has become rather popular over the past few years. Additionally, the company also provide solid wooden knobs to open the drawers.
Another plus is that the brand offers a whole range of furniture in the same finish, all for reasonable prices. While the metal knobs suit the style of the drawers well, they do seem small. This could mean that they're not that comfortable to use, especially if the contents of the drawer is on the heavy side.
Here we have a chest of drawers that, due to the materials and the design, seems more suited to other places around the home rather than the bedroom. That said, don't let it put you off if you want some extra storage in your chambers alongside another set.
The design comprises a wooden top, metal frame and fabric drawers, offering plenty of different textures to match with other furniture. The drawers are big, especially the two lower ones, yet the whole thing is incredibly light. The downside, as with many fabric drawers, is that they can bend or drop out of shape over time if not handled carefully.
The option includes five drawers, four smaller ones, and a large one at the bottom which can store plenty of items without taking up too much space. Featuring a wooden frame, the drawers are made of a combination of multi-colour fabrics for an interesting, unique aesthetic.
Other than the unusual finish, this is a rather classic chest of drawers. The dimensions are on the smaller side, as is the weight so you won't have a problem moving it around. We also like the fact that it's on legs as it gives you a bit of space to play with if you wanted to store cables or routers underneath.
A dresser is broad and short, whereas a chest of drawers is narrow and tall. Dressers are intended to provide a space for dressing where the top doubles as a table for clothing and features a mirror. Chests of drawers resemble a tall, narrow dresser offering ample storage while conserving floor space.
No. 1: ANYDAY|Mix It T-bar Handle Wide 4-Drawer Chest
No. 2: HOMCOM|Zig-Zag Chest of Drawers
No. 3: Panana|Chest of Drawers With Metal Runners, Black
No. 4: John Lewis & Partners|Show Wood 4-Drawer Chest, Jade Green
No. 5: Steens|Richmond 4+2 Pine Chest of Drawers
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