How to buy a chest of drawers

Chest of Drawer Buying Guide

Choosing the right chest of drawers for your bedroom is an important decision and there are many things to consider before you open your wallet. With so many sizes, styles and finishes available, finding the one that ticks all the right boxes will hopefully be a bit easier after you’ve read our handy guide.

Where do I start?

Bedrooms are our sanctuary. Where we begin and end our day. Creating the right environment for relaxation begins with a space that’s clear of clutter and a well-chosen chest of drawers will help. But where to begin? Think about what you need to store. Do you have lots of bulky jumpers and jeans that need wider, deeper drawers? Do you want to store bed linen and other items as well as clothes? Think about the size of your room – big furniture in small spaces can dominate and is not conducive to calm. And a small chest in a big room will just look odd. So choose furniture that complements your space and everything else that’s in it. Decide whether you want to create an overall look or are after a more eclectic style.

What are my choices?

Tallboy
Wide
Round

Tallboys are the perfect choice for smaller bedrooms as they offer plentiful storage space on a relatively small footprint. Tallboys can fit neatly into narrow spaces or corners to help maximise floor space and you may well have room for more than one if you've lots to put away. They can also work well in larger rooms combined with other furniture to add height and interest to your space.

Ideal for most bedrooms, the beauty of wide chests is that they can fit under windows, are ideal in children's rooms and come in a variety of sizes and configurations so you can choose the right combination of drawer sizes to best suit what you have to store.

For something a little bit different, consider a round chest. They make great accent pieces while providing practical storage and exotic good looks.

Styles and finishes

Do you want the warmth, durability and character of oak, the value and practicality of pine, the calming influence of painted furniture, or the exoticism of sheesham wood?

The timeless natural beauty and strength of oak can bring many benefits. It adds warmth and rustic character, will last for decades, looks better as it ages and lends itself to contemporary and classic designs.

Pine is ideal for those on a budget. It's brimming with natural character, versatile, sustainable and can be crafted into a wide range of beautiful furniture and then stained and finished to suit.

Painted furniture can help create an atmosphere of calm in your bedroom. It adds brightness and character and will suit both classic and contemporary decors.

If you want to add a touch of the exotic to your bedroom then consider sheesham wood. It's a dense Indian hardwood that is handcrafted into unique pieces of furniture that will last a lifetime

What else do I need to know?

It may seem obvious but it's important to measure your bedroom and the route through the house to your room. Not only to make sure you can get the furniture through the door but to ensure it will fit in the space you want it to go in.
Consider how you are going to use your chest of drawers. Will you just be storing clothes or will you be using it for other items? Decide whether you need more large drawers than small drawers or the other way round.
What other furniture is in the room? Will it work with your current accessories like mirrors, lamps and artwork?
Will a contemporary style work in a traditional room or vice versa?
Check that solid wood furniture is solid throughout & check the drawer bases and sides, joints, backs and legs to ensure you're getting what you paid for.

Decorating your chest of drawers

Enhance the look of your chest of drawers by arranging ornaments, family photographs or other accessories on top. Or leave it clear if you prefer a more minimalist approach. Jackie Hernadez @Teal and Lime has written a very useful article on how to style a highboy dresser, which should give you plenty of inspiration.

How to care for your chest of drawers

With a little bit of regular care, your chest of drawers will give you many years of service.

Keep it clean and protected with a good quality beeswax. This will help nourish the wood and ensure the rich grain always looks its best.
Wipe any spills that may occur with a damp cloth then dry off with a dry cloth
Keep your chest away from direct sunlight to avoid fading and colour changes.
Do not put your chest of drawers near a radiator as the constant variations in temperature can cause joints and veneers to loosen or split.
Never put hot drinks directly onto the surface as they may leave permanent marks.