A chest of drawers is the perfect storage solution for many different needs, and provides an essential complement to your wardrobe.
You can use it to keep your undies and socks perfectly organised and it’s also ideal for keeping leggings, vests, jumpers and anything else that doesn’t really need to go on a hanger.
A stylish chest of drawers can add a stunning focal point to your bedroom, particularly in a room where there are built in wardrobes and few other furnishings. The top of the drawers is of course a great place to display pictures, or to keep some small dishes for placing your jewellery, coins and keys in at the end of the day. Equally, you might decide to tuck your drawers into a shady corner, helping you to squeeze every last inch of storage out of a small room.
Below, we walk you through a number of factors to consider when choosing the perfect chest of drawers to cater for your storage needs:
Size
The first consideration for your chest of drawers is the size that you need. In a tiny room, look for a tall slim chest that won’t stick out too far from the wall but will offer you plenty of storage. Slim chests can be quite narrow so check the width and make sure that this is suitable for what you intend to put in the drawers. You also need to look at the depth of the drawers – if for example you’re looking to store jumpers, very shallow drawers won’t be suitable.
In a child’s room, consider what height the chest of drawers will need to be for the child to be able to reach the top drawer comfortably. A low set of drawers will be easier to reach and less likely to tumble over if your child decides to climb on it. It is advisable to secure the drawers to the wall with a wall strap anyway, to avoid any accidents. Avoid placing the drawers underneath a window where they could be used to climb up.
A low chest of drawers can be an attractive option for older children and adults too. They don’t take up much wall space so you can place shelves and shelving units above them. They will usually also be much wider than a regular chest, making them perfect for blankets and other larger or bulkier items. Some sit flat on the floor which maximises space and avoids a build-up of dust underneath.
Before you buy your drawers, do measure the floor space available to you and make sure there’s plenty of room to walk past them without bumping into the corners. Remember that you’ll sometimes be walking around your room in the dark, so leave plenty of space!
Features
Some chests have extra features that can be really useful in a busy house. For example, rather than legs, they may feature castors which make it easier to move them around when cleaning or rearranging the room. Other chests have a glass top which is an excellent idea to keep them from getting scratched or stained. However, the glass top is rarely fixed so avoid these in a child’s room as they could come loose. The glass is also sometimes placed on tiny pads to help keep it in position and these can present a choking hazard for a young child.
Style
You might want to look around the room at your other furniture and try to match the drawers as closely as possible to what you already have. Alternatively, you might decide on a completely different style as something of a statement piece. Some styles work really well regardless of what other furniture you have – these are usually the plain, simple designs that are neither overly modern nor particularly traditional. A great example is the Stockholm in dark coffee – a chest of three well-proportioned drawers which would look good in either a traditional or contemporary room.
Material
There are plenty of different materials to choose from and a few considerations that go beyond personal taste. First, if you’re looking for a wooden chest of drawers, you have the choice of laminate or solid wood. Solid wood tends to be a little pricier but will naturally last you far longer.
In a small room, mirrored drawers can look less imposing as they simply reflect what is around them and don’t appear to take up any floor space. Avoid them however in a child’s room as you will find yourself constantly wiping away smudgy finger marks. A high gloss set of drawers will work far better, offering a wipe clean surface that will still look good even if it’s not impeccable.
Budget Solutions
If you’re on a tight budget, it’s an easier option to go for a low cost chest of drawers or one that is in the sale. Just sort the items on the website you’re viewing with the lowest price first and you’ll see the cheapest options at the start. Be aware that sale items are often listed in the results by their original price so it’s worth scanning through all of the results to make sure you don’t miss a bargain.
Take Your Pick
Top left: British Vintage 4-Drawer Chest of Drawers
Top middle: Lynx Cream Gloss and Walnut Chest of Drawers
Bottom left: Samuel Solid Oak Chest of Drawers
Bottom middle: Stockholm Narrow Chest in White
Far right: Lyon Solid Acacia Drawers
Take a look at our full range of chests of drawers for your bedroom here.
Images sourced via Pinterest. Credits: oncedailychic.blogspot.ch, housetweaking.com, poloticsofmonogramming.tumblr.com and bloglovin.com.
