How to choose a chest of drawers: sizes, types and materials of chests of drawers

The modern chest of drawers is a direct descendant of the chest, which was used in the old days to store items of clothing, expensive jewelry, and household utensils. It was used by people of all cultures. Chests can still be found in many villages in Russia and Eastern Europe. Museums display framed chest designs made by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks.

In the Middle Ages, the manufacture of these pieces of furniture was carried out by the Chinese and Europeans. In Russia, chests were used not only for storing jewelry, bedding and clothing, they were used for sleeping, dining on them, and used as chairs and tables. Chests are rightfully considered the predecessors of modern cabinets with two or three doors and drawers.

What size should a chest of drawers be?

Almost everyone who wants to purchase it thinks about the dimensions of the product. If you order from a workshop, the manufacturer will send a measurer and he will make the appropriate project in a matter of minutes. If you purchase a ready-made model, please note that the size of the chest of drawers will depend on the following nuances:

the place where it will be installed. The space for pulling out drawers is taken into account. Measurements must be taken from the back wall to the end of the extended drawer. Then decide how acceptable this option will be;
width and height of the plinth. The furniture is installed near the wall: it is desirable that the distance between the wall and the chest of drawers be minimal;
purpose of the drawers (for what things are planned): linen chests of drawers are more bulky, accessories are smaller.

You should always correlate the parameters of the room with the dimensions of the furniture. Otherwise, the interior will be damaged.

Dimensions are considered along three main axes:

The height of the chest of drawers depends on the number of drawers. Standard - from 1000 to 1500 mm (less than 850 mm is considered a cabinet, above 1600 mm is considered a cabinet);
the length of the drawers is determined by the distance between the side facades: minimum - 600 mm (suitable for placing shoes, bags, accessories), maximum - from 1000 mm, designed for 2-3 drawers (looks beautiful in the living room if there are no other closed cabinets nearby) . The optimal size is considered to be 900-1300 mm;
depth – planned for the volume of things that will be stored in the drawers, the minimum is 300 mm (suitable for sewing accessories, cosmetics/perfumery, small household items), maximum 600 mm.

Boxes

Quantity

The number of drawers and shelves depends on the dresser model. Classic design - 4 longitudinal drawers located one below the other. Their number can vary between 1-5. Wide boxes can be “divided” in half, as a result their number reaches 6-10 or more.

Some models have drawers of different widths. The most common option is several wide drawers at the bottom and 1-2 drawers, divided in half or equipped with partitions. Small drawers are good for storing jewelry, thread, needles and other small items that need to be kept organized.

Sometimes you can find chests of drawers with secret drawers, which are also closed with doors, or models with a random arrangement of drawers. The design of the chest of drawers often includes shelves with doors (often glazed) or without them. There are also exclusive design solutions, for example, a chest of drawers whose drawers slide out in any of the four directions.

Interesting: linen, clothes, and various household items are placed in drawers. Books, dishes, souvenirs and other things that can be shown to guests are stored on open shelves with glass doors.

In a high-quality product, doors and drawers open easily and without additional effort. The drawers should not fall out even when pulled out sharply.

All chest drawers in the closed position should be in maximum contact with each other and adjacent to the body. In addition, they must fit tightly to the back wall and rest on a special bar - this removes part of the load from the side guides.

Extension mechanism

Roller guides are relatively cheap, but have several disadvantages: the possibility of the drawer skewing, its incomplete opening (maximum 5/6 of the length), noise when moving. True, incomplete opening of the box protects it from accidental falling out. The guides themselves can be either plastic or metal - this is a more reliable option.

Important: to prevent the risk of the drawer skewing, its width should not exceed 60 cm. The thickness of the steel of the roller guides should be at least 1 mm.

For silent operation of the box, you should choose mechanisms with rubber rims on wheels.

Ball guides - withstand significant loads, ensure complete and silent drawer extension. Disadvantages: high price and the possibility of the drawer skewing. Such a mechanism requires careful handling.

Concealed mounting guides - unlike previous mechanisms, they are attached not to the walls of the box, but to its bottom. This system ensures maximum opening of the drawer, but at the same time prevents it from falling out. Concealed mounting guides are easy to use and have a long service life.

Types and forms of chest of drawers

The classic chest of drawers has a rectangular shape and consists of 3-4 drawers of medium length and depth. Since the appearance of this type of furniture in everyday life, many modifications and varieties have arisen.

Until now, in antique stores you can find models with miniature drawers with locks for storing jewelry, bulky chests with forged locks, which are very popular among fans of rustic home decor styles.

Designers are constantly working on projects for a new model range. Thanks to their efforts, the following types of chests of drawers appeared in sales:

classic with a tabletop for TV or audio equipment;
radius with rounded corners;
trapezoidal, which is installed in the corner of the room, can simultaneously serve as a TV stand, have shelves for the press, books, music CDs (this option is preferred by the owners of small apartments and studios);
combined with drawers, shelves, sections with hinged doors;
designer models.

The choice of chest of drawers depends on its shape and installation method. Based on these parameters, the following options are distinguished:

wall-mounted, when the furniture is installed on the floor close to the wall;
attached, when the product is part of a set and creates a single ensemble of room furnishings;
island - equally beautifully decorated on all sides, so wherever you put it, it will look everywhere (often used for zoning a room);
mobile (on wheels) – easily moves from place to place, can be used as a mobile coffee table (convenient for small rooms);
hanging - in trend for the last few years, installed mainly in the hallway, bedroom, bathroom;
multifunctional for the kitchen - has a combined design with drawers, shelves, a compartment for a trash can, and a convenient countertop for cutting food.

A shelf for TV or audio rises several centimeters above the tabletop, so the height of the chest of drawers is measured in accordance with the comfortable viewing of TV and depends on the size of the legs on which it is installed.

Adviсe

First of all, the chest of drawers must be safe for health, which is confirmed by a quality certificate.
The chest of drawers must have detailed assembly instructions.
The surface and walls of the chest of drawers must be smooth and free of defects. Avoid purchasing furniture with cracks or chips.
You need to make sure there are no defects in the model. Check the reliability of connections and retractable mechanisms.
It is worth checking the convenience and quality of the fittings (handles, hinges, drawer guides) and locks, if any. It is better to choose more expensive metal fittings (aluminum or steel) than cheap and unreliable plastic ones.
The optimal thickness of the material from which the case is made is 18 mm.
The thickness of the back wall of the chest of drawers must be at least 6 mm, otherwise it may become deformed from impacts from the drawer during intensive use of the model. If the wall is poorly secured, then this model is not worth purchasing. Some models do not have a back wall at all - they are not suitable for zoning a room.

To make the chest of drawers last a long time, you should follow several recommendations:

filling the chest of drawers must be done from the lower shelves and drawers - this will more evenly distribute the load on the product;
regularly check the quality of work and reliability of retractable mechanisms;
provide the chest of drawers with normal temperature conditions without sudden changes;
periodically carry out dry and wet cleaning;
do not overload the boxes, otherwise their bottom may not hold up;
To protect the top of the chest of drawers from harmful influences (moisture, hot drinks, etc.), it is worth purchasing protective glass.

Dresser style and color

Appearance plays an important role when choosing a chest of drawers. The color and style determine how organic the product will look in the interior. There are several areas in which almost all furniture workshops work.

Empire – models are made on curved/openwork legs; the facades are decorated with carved patterns, applied gilded elements, and equipped with elegant fittings. The color of the facades is natural wood, the shade is selected to match the tone of the main background.
Modern - distinctive features are elongated shapes, curved lines, interesting shapes of parts. The facades are decorated with original ornaments.
Rustic - reminiscent of a grandmother's chest, made only of wood, the surfaces are artificially aged, and forged elements are used as decoration.
Designer. In this case, each chest of drawers is a separate art object. It’s even difficult to imagine the entire range that furniture manufacturers can offer based on original designs.

Do not overuse dark colors of facades in small rooms and apartments. Light colors will visually expand the room and look more organic.

Material

Wood is an environmentally friendly, beautiful and durable material. Such a chest of drawers is often covered with fine carvings, elegant patterns and other decorations, and also has original inserts and elegant handles. Disadvantages: high price and significant weight of furniture.

Important: inexpensive wood species include pine and birch; cherry, ash, maple, walnut, and oak are considered more valuable. Inexpensive species (for example, pine) can become deformed over time and do not withstand impacts well - leaving scratches and dents. To increase the resistance of the chest of drawers to shock and moisture, you can open it with varnish.

A common solution is to choose a chest of drawers made of birch or pine, lined with oak or maple veneer. This option will be the optimal balance of quality and price.

Chipboard and MDF - resemble wood, but are much cheaper. In appearance and service life they are inferior to natural wood. At the same time, a chest of drawers made of chipboard has a lower price and is more toxic than its counterpart made of MDF. Users note that some drawers made of thin chipboard quickly fail. In general, MDF is a more durable material.

Such chests of drawers are laminated or covered with veneer. Laminated models are distinguished by a variety of colors, resistance to moisture and mechanical stress, while veneered models perfectly imitate solid wood and look impressive. Both laminate and veneer offer some protection from toxic fumes.

Important: when purchasing chests of drawers made of chipboard, pay attention to its cuts: it is better if they are covered with a more durable and reliable PVC edge than a melamine edge. It is advisable that the drilled holes are also sealed. This will partially protect the user from toxic fumes.

Rattan is a type of wood that combines attractive appearance, lightness and strength. This chest of drawers will fit perfectly into an interior decorated in an exotic style.

Plastic is lightweight, easy to clean, resistant to moisture and temperature changes. Chests of drawers are made from it for the bathroom or kitchen. Disadvantages: low strength and modest appearance.

Dressers in different rooms

An accurate definition of its purpose will help you choose a chest of drawers for different rooms. It can be a simple or complex storage system with an original or traditional appearance. The length, height and depth of the chest of drawers will depend on the dimensions of the room.

In the bedroom

It is customary to store bedding, linen, and underwear in the sleeping room. In addition to the traditional form of a linen chest of drawers, other varieties are appearing on sale.

Model with mirror. It is included in bedroom sets or purchased separately, used as a bedside table or dressing table. In the transforming chest of drawers, the mirror folds, turning the top surface into a convenient desk.
A chest of drawers differs from a wardrobe only in size. The design consists of 2-3 compartments, spacious shelves for linen, and drawers for small items. Sliding doors are installed (decorated using frosted glass with sandblasted patterns), corner elements for books, newspapers and other things.
Chest of drawers - equipped with a section for a computer with a free lower area for the system unit and legs. This is a modern model that allows you to combine a desk with linen drawers.

How to choose the right model from hundreds and thousands?

First, decide on the purpose of the chest of drawers. Will it perform only the standard function or additional ones? Be careful when choosing your size. Try to complete all renovations and rearrangements in the room to assess exactly how much space can be allocated to this piece of furniture. Take measurements calmly and carefully, and be sure to write down the results.

Find out in advance about the types and types of chests of drawers and materials. Look what shape they come in. In some rooms you cannot do without corner or semicircular ones, in others radius or rectangular ones will look organic and attractive. And sometimes it’s worth complementing the interior with original chests of drawers for the bedroom in the form of a trapezoid, the letter “G” or an unusual geometric figure.

Decide exactly how many drawers you need, where they should be located, and how they should be pulled out. Do you need wall mounting, lighting, a stopper and other details?

Don't worry, we'll tell you a lot about it now. And if you have additional questions, you can always ask our specialists.

What to consider when choosing

In order not to make a mistake with your choice, it is also important to take into account a number of other factors:

quality - check the smooth and quiet operation of each drawer. It is welcome to have extension stops that prevent the drawer from falling out. If there are doors, it is important that the model is equipped with special shock absorbers that provide softness when closing the door;
design - models that are more interesting in design often cost slightly more than the usual options. If the bedroom is decorated in a classic spirit, you should not overpay for the original design of the chest of drawers. If you want something unusual, prepare a slightly larger amount of money;
shape, size - the choice of a specific chest of drawers will be largely influenced by the features of the space where the home owner plans to install the purchase. Before choosing a chest of drawers, be sure to take measurements of the room in order to understand what shape and size will be acceptable specifically for your case;
cost - high-quality furniture cannot be cheap, which is important to never forget. If you have a limited budget for purchasing a chest of drawers, you should choose options from chipboard or MDF. A solid wood product will cost much more, but will last much longer.

Ecostim, ethnic, colonial

Such chests of drawers are distinguished by simplicity and naturalness. You can fantasize with them. One condition is that if the surface of the chest of drawers is too decorative, then the shapes need to be rectilinear and simple. Made from natural materials, but not expensive. For example, from vine, bamboo, wood of various species.

For the colonial style, hand-painted chests of drawers, for example, in oriental style, look good and rich.

Let's sum it up

Today there is a huge variety of modern chests of drawers, spacious and quite comfortable. Now it is not just furniture, but an object that fits perfectly into the interior, its integral part, and at the same time a container for things dear to the hearts of the owners of the house. What the chest of drawers will be like is up to you to decide. However, if the funds in your wallet do not allow you to buy the furniture that has sunk into your soul, assemble it yourself, based on the steps presented in our instructions, and you can add a unique, inimitable zest to your living room.

Unusual solutions

The limitless imagination of furniture makers is well known. You can find unexpected models on the market, both in terms of design ideas and design. The role of the “highlight” is played by:

asymmetrical arrangement of blocks, sections and fragments;
a combination of seemingly incompatible materials;
additional functionality in the form of transformable parts.

Custom corner chest of drawers

Examples of a custom TV chest:

minimal size of the width of the drawers with a large number of them (the model rather resembles a file cabinet or a cupboard, but still it is a chest of drawers);

This chest of drawers looks more like a filing cabinet

a combination of materials in the form of inserting a glass section in the middle of veneer/wood.

In general, purchasing a non-standard model requires the utmost thoughtfulness. Think ahead: most likely, your TV chest of drawers will serve you for more than five years. This means that you should choose furniture with the ability to combine and experiment during its use. And also consider whether you will be placing the TV on a surface. Perhaps a hanging solution will be the best for you.

Color palette

A beautiful chest of drawers can only emphasize the harmonious interior of the bedroom. Experts advise making the floor and walls neutral and choosing furniture sets in muted tones. In this case, a bright chest of drawers will become an expressive element along with textiles and carpet.

In general, white chests of drawers are good for children's and Scandinavian-style bedrooms. Also indispensable for rooms where there is not enough lighting or where hand-made items are used. Black ones, on the contrary, are intended for well-lit, large rooms. Models with floral and other prints are organic to retro and rustic styles.

Designer chests of drawers

They are design solutions and can be created independently, even with children.

A spacious bedroom with a chest of drawers will allow you to hide what you want

If you're dreaming of a large chest of drawers, you should definitely find something in a good, unobtrusive style, such as the already mentioned Scandinavian or modern style. But you can go further and choose a baroque style , which is warm and fits perfectly into spaces such as your bedroom.

The main thing is to determine what you really want in your bedroom. The entire atmosphere must be as expected. If a dresser for a bedroom should be black, that means we have to balance it with other colors, such as gray or white. Remember that comfort depends on this.

The wardrobe and chest of drawers for the bedroom should be the same or at least the same color. This is very important because this is how we define style. Sometimes an identical shape is enough to complete the entire composition aesthetically. For this reason, find a good furniture store and find what you need at the moment.