Chest of Drawers

What is a Chest of drawers?

A chest of drawers is technically a piece of furniture that usually has two or more drawers used for storing clothes and other personal belongings. A chest of drawers has traditionally always been made of wood, though now modern versions make creative use of other contemporary materials as well. A standard chest of drawers comes with minimum three to six large drawers.

Some chests are made specifically for a particular item. For instance the lingerie chest is designed for lingerie and is tall and narrow with five or six drawers. Some antique chests have shallow top drawers for jewelry and hair accessories etc. Then there's the 3 drawer bombe chest, which features detailed carving and curved legs. Another popular kind is the French country chest of drawers. It has a flat front and a more sober appearance. It also has three drawers and can be used for clothes, linen, or any other item.

Origin of Chest of drawers

Modern chests of drawers are actually descendents of chests. Back in the 16th century, chests had small drawer boxes within the body of the chest. Subsequently a larger drawer was fitted into the entire lower part of the chest. Then came the chests that were completely filled with drawers but many still had a lid on the top. It was only in the middle of the 17th century that the lid disappeared and chests of drawers started looking somewhat like what they look today.

Benefits of using a Chest of drawers

It is an extremely affordable storage option. You can buy a solid top quality chest of drawers at a very reasonable price. This makes it a very attractive option for anyone who is decorating on a budget.

• It is very versatile: You can use your chest of drawers in any room. It looks great in all spaces and can be used effectively for storage anywhere and for storing anything as long as it fits into the drawers.

• It provides an alternative to closets and wardrobes: Your chest of drawers can be conveniently used in place of closets or wardrobes where it is neither possible nor practical to have these large storage options. It is a great storage option for small apartments or for people who are always on the move.

• It offers additional storage space in any room: Storage is something you'll always be short of. In addition to storage provided by wardrobes and cabinets, the chest of drawers is a welcome addition to the storage facilities in any room.

• It provides practical storage: Everything is neatly organized in the drawers of the chest and visible at a glance. You don't have to ever struggle to find anything that is stored your chest of drawers.

• It is stylish and provide an elegant look to the room: Chest of drawers have their own unique charm which they impart to the room where they are placed. Be it antique or modern, a chest of drawers always looks graceful.

• It can stand the test of time: A chest of drawers is a well constructed and durable piece of furniture that take wear and tear very well and last for a long time.

• It is lightweight: Every time you desire to change the layout or move the chest to another room, you can move with without much effort and any assistance from anyone. A lot of models are also fitted with wheels so moving these is even easier.

• It fits in effortlessly in the smallest of spaces: A chest of drawers takes up very little space and can be placed anywhere in the room without really taking up too much floor space.

A Chest of drawers is multifunctional

The usage of your chest of drawers is not limited to storage. You can do many other things with it.

• Set down and display pictures, lamps and other decorative objects on it.

• Use it in place of your conventional sideboard in your dining or breakfast room. Display some lovely china on it. Hang some decorative plates or art around it.

• Place it behind a sofa or loveseat and use it as a sofa table. Lamps, plants, books, photo frames and decorative objects can be placed here.

• Use it like an end table next to a sofa, chair or loveseat and get more surface area and storage for placing lamps, remote controls, coaster etc

• Place a TV on it and you have a new elegant TV stand with storage for VCDs, DVDs and remotes.

• Save space in your bedroom and use it in place of a regular nightstand. Place a reading lamp and your favorite books on it.

• A chest of the right height can be used as a baby changing table in addition to holding essentials like diapers, nappies and wipes. As your child grows it can be used for storage of toys, stationary etc.

• Incorporate one with your desk and you have a great place for storing files and other office essentials.

A Chest of drawers fits into any space in your home

A chest of drawers is an extremely functional piece of furniture. It comes in a number of shapes, sizes and styles and there is something for every room in your home. Storage is of course their main forte, but they are not short on style either. Even the most stylish of rooms gets enhanced with the incorporation of a chest of drawers. The following are some of the areas where your chest of drawers will be a perfect fit:

• Bedroom: This is the ideal location for a chest of drawers where it is use to store innerwear, socks, jewelry, bed linen, accessories and a lot more. It should have roomy, sturdy drawers as in the bedroom these are likely to be stuffed to the brim. You can move a chest inside your walk in closet if you are lucky to have one and stock it with all the things you would otherwise be keeping in a dresser elsewhere.

• Kids' Room: In addition to storing clothes, in this space a chest is perfect for storing games, books, art supplies, puzzles etc. For babies, it is a convenient place for nappies and diapers and as they grow it can be used to accommodate their changing needs and interests.

• Guest Room: Ample storage is very important in any room in the guest room. It gives your guest the convenience of storing their clothes and personal items in a neat and organized manner instead of keeping them in suitcases where they can get crumpled and messy.

• Bathroom: In a large bathroom, a chest of drawers makes serves as a wonderful unit for storing towels, washrags, toiletries, makeup and appliances. You can also make it look more attractive by placing baskets with hand towels or aromatic candles on the top.

• Family room/Living room: In these spaces the chest can store toys, games, photo albums, phone books, letters, remotes, DVDs etc. You can place lamps, books and other decorative items on it.

• Dining room/Kitchen: In the dining room or kitchen, its drawers are used to store placemats. silverware, trivets, napkins etc. You can add to the visual appeal by placing some candles or a vase or other knick knacks on the top. It can also be used a buffet if it is the right height.

• Home Bar: Create a home bar by using a chest of drawers The top can be used to hold bottles, decanters and ice buckets etc. The drawers can be filled with other bar essentials.

• Home office: Use an attractive chest of drawers, in place of a file cabinet, to store bills, office supplies, stationary, and small office equipment. You can also put a copier, printer of phone on top

• Foyer: You can use your chest of drawers here to store keys, shopping lists, maps, sunglasses etc. You can also use it as a welcoming piece by hanging a mirror over it and placing a vase of fresh flowers on it.

• Craft/Hobby room: A craft room never has enough storage space. Needlework, art supplies, gift wrapping items, fabric, sewing essentials , scrap booms supplies etc can be stored in chest placed in this room.

• Mudroom: In the mudroom, a chest of drawers is very useful to hold gloves, scarves, etc. You can fix hooks on the sides to hang book bags and handbags.

What to look for when buying your chest of drawers

• It should be study and well built. Only then will it stand wear and tear and the test of time

• The drawers should be wide enough to accommodate whatever you want to store in them.

• It should complement the decor of the space where you plan to use it.

• In case you plan to buy a wooden one, match the wood and the finish to that of your existing furniture in the room. If possible buy it from the same source.

• Decide whether you want to opt for the traditional look or a more modern one.

• Handles and knobs make a great difference to the style of a chest of drawers. They come in a variety of materials and both traditional and modern designs. You can also get these custom made or have a chest without any handles or knobs. Choose whatever suits your personal taste.

• Buy the design that fits into the space you have. If there is a space constraint, go for the tall narrow variety with lots of drawers. If there is plenty of space, you could opt for the lower, horizontal more modern kind.

• Make sure the drawer runner that enable your drawers to open and close smoothly are or high quality and the right design.

A chest of drawers is truly a multipurpose, lightweight, mobile, affordable, practical and elegant storage option. Available in a variety of designs, sizes and styles there's one to fit into every home including yours.