Which chest of drawers should you choose to make your living room match the interior and style of your apartment? It would seem that a chest of drawers is a piece of furniture that should not be a problem at the purchasing stage. After all, it should have legs, drawers and everything when it comes to its attributes. A chest of drawers is not just a piece of furniture, it is a real highlight in living rooms.
Therefore, in several points we will tell you which chest of drawers to choose for the living room? What are the most important elements of a dresser to make it not only beautiful but also functional.
The chest of drawers is an aristocrat among furniture. Chest of drawers in a modern style.
The chest of drawers is a piece of furniture with traditions dating back to 17th century France. It is true that the chest of drawers in Louis XIV's bedroom at Versailles looked completely different from a modern piece of furniture.
Of course, André-Charles Boulle, a master and artist in the Baroque style, whom we can call the father of the chest of drawers, did not expect that the piece of furniture he created would last so many years and that it would perfectly appear in different eras and see many views and modifications by contemporary artists of a given era.
Types of chests of drawers for the living room
For the living room, traditional flooring products of a rectangular shape are often purchased. Such furniture is characterized by simplicity of design and ease of use. When choosing a model, you need to take into account the layout and area of the room.
There are other models that differ in design and installation method:
- Wall-mounted. Mounted in a hinged manner on the wall. They usually take up little space and do not interfere with floor cleaning. The optimal solution for small narrow spaces. Suitable for storing light items and documents.
- Attached. They are usually part of modular systems that include several headsets made in the same style. Linen and clothes are stored in such chests of drawers.
- Island. A stylish solution for spacious living rooms. The chest of drawers can be accessed from all sides. Often used for zoning space, placing household appliances and decor.
Design alphabet
Photo: hgtv.com
If you want to create a non-trivial interior that will surprise guests, pay attention to the unusual Alphabeto chest of drawers from ETG-Home, decorated on all sides with carved letters of the alphabet. It will ideally complement the original atmosphere in a teenager’s bedroom, will look interesting in the living room’s relaxation area and will gently dilute the austere interior of the office.
Shape and dimensions of the chest of drawers
Based on the form of execution, chests of drawers are classified into the following types:
- Rectangular. The most popular models. They can have different widths, heights and depths. Such chests of drawers are presented in the greatest variety of models.
- Square. They are shaped like bedside tables. They usually have compact dimensions. Can be used as island furniture.
- Angular. A good choice for small spaces. The corner of the room is usually empty; such a chest of drawers allows you to rationally use this space.
- Modular. The design consists of several sections, the position of which can be changed to suit your needs. Usually produced in a modern style.
- Non-standard models. They can have a round, oval or complex shape.
By size, chests of drawers are divided into the following types:
- Wide. The width is 1 m or more. The depth is usually 50-60 cm. Suitable for fairly large rooms. There are models of reduced depth - 40-50 cm.
- Narrow. The width usually does not exceed 30 cm. The optimal solution for storing documents and small items.
- Tall. Similar in shape to compact cabinets. The height is usually 130-150cm.
- Low. The height does not exceed 1 m, most often it is 85 cm. Such chests of drawers are often used as cabinets.
Materials for making a chest of drawers
Manufacturers use various materials to produce chests of drawers:
- Tree. The products are durable, environmentally friendly and durable. Often wooden chests of drawers are made according to individual projects. They are characterized by a relatively high cost.
- Chipboard. The most budget option, characterized by a relatively short service life.
- MDF. Significantly superior to chipboard in strength and durability. In appearance it can perfectly imitate wood, but has a more affordable price.
- Glass. It is used for the manufacture of individual structural elements: open shelves, mirror surfaces, display modules, etc.
- Plastic. As a rule, such chests of drawers are compact in size and affordable. Available in a wide variety of models. They are well suited for rooms with high humidity, but such products are usually rarely installed in living rooms.
Products that combine different materials look very attractive. For example, wood goes well with metal. Popular models are made from wood boards (chipboard and MDF) with plastic and glass inserts. The combination of different materials allows you to emphasize the design in a particular style.
Internal filling of the chest of drawers
The functionality of a chest of drawers directly depends on its internal contents. Classic models usually include several drawers installed in a vertical order.
Typically used to store clothes. The depth of the drawers varies in the range of 30-60 cm.
- More complex models may have both drawers and open shelves and sections with doors.
- The arrangement of individual storage systems can be symmetrical or arbitrary.
- For example, a large chest of drawers may have several drawers in the center, with open shelves around them.
- You should choose based on the purpose of the furniture. Drawers are suitable for linen, cosmetics, accessories, small appliances and similar products are more conveniently stored on open shelves.
- Based on your needs, you should also take into account the size of the sections, their number and the distance between them.
There are models that include only open sections. Such products are well suited for placing souvenirs, decorative elements, accessories and small equipment. Open chests of drawers are often produced in an antique design for classic interiors.
Furniture filling also includes handles, closers and other fittings. The chest of drawers can have both classic overhead handles and special grooves for gripping. There are chests of drawers that open when pressed.
Additional items
Chests of drawers can be supplemented with various elements of the following nature:
- decorative;
- functional.
These include the following items:
- Mirror - a household item that is never superfluous. A mirror allows you to visually expand the room and increase the degree of comfort of being inside it.
Chest of drawers with mirror - Modules - that is, for example, a sofa, if the chest of drawers is attached, as well as any other elements.
- Chairs that go with the chest of drawers, for example, if we are talking about a bureau, allowing you to use it as a surface for:
- writing letters;
- tea drinking;
- eating food, etc.
Dresser system
Today there are more than enough models of chests of drawers supplemented with anything. Manufacturers are coming up with more and more new features, so shop carefully before purchasing.
Design and colors of a chest of drawers for the living room
Similar to other furniture, chests of drawers are produced in a variety of stylistic directions. The most popular styles include:
- Minimalism. Models with geometrically correct shapes and straight lines, with virtually no decoration.
- Loft. The design is characterized by the imitation of unprocessed, rough, rough surfaces.
- High tech. Characterized by the presence of glass, metal and plastic parts, which can have both functional and decorative purposes. Possibly backlit.
- Provence. The design is dominated by smooth lines and rounded shapes. Ornaments and decorative carvings may be present. Often the furniture is light in color.
- Classic. Furniture is usually made from natural wood, has quite impressive dimensions and luxurious decor.
Depending on the stylistic direction, the chest of drawers can have either a single color or a combined color.
- Natural wood shades, as well as white, are good for classics.
- Soft tones of gray, black and white fit perfectly into hi-tech, loft and minimalism. Provence is characterized by a predominance of delicate pastel shades.
Form style
Photo: luxuryfurnituremr.com
The Italian chest of drawers from the Diamond collection is made in a neoclassical style. It combines clean lines and proportions, graceful carvings reminiscent of the cutting of a precious stone, making the chest of drawers look not just a piece of furniture, but also an elegant element of decor. It will look great in modern and classic bedrooms and living rooms with a lack of natural light - the glossy fronts of the chest of drawers will play the role of reflective surfaces, thanks to which the space will be filled with solemnity and visual lightness.
Tips for choosing the best chest of drawers
When choosing a chest of drawers for the living room, you should first of all focus on individual needs. Classic models are popular due to their spaciousness.
But, as a rule, they have relatively large dimensions, so they are more appropriate in spacious rooms.
- It is important that, in terms of aesthetic parameters, the chest of drawers is harmoniously combined with the overall design of the interior.
- Therefore, when arranging a living room, they often buy modular systems that include all the main pieces of furniture, made in the same style.
- A chest of drawers can be an accent element in the interior, but it should not look too pretentious.
- The quality and practicality of materials should be taken into account. It is better to give preference to low-maintenance materials.
- Glossy surfaces require additional care using special products.
- Scratches quickly appear on the gloss, so this furniture is not suitable for families with small children and pets.
Particular attention should be paid to fittings. It must be reliable, easy to use and durable.
The mechanisms must ensure smooth movement of the drawers. When choosing, it is important to carefully examine the appearance for defects. A good chest of drawers is usually bought to last for many years, so it should be of the highest quality possible.
Spectacular decor
Photo: myelection.info
The stylish Damasco chest of drawers from the Italian factory JC Passion is a representative of ultra-modern furniture that will be in fashion for a long time. It is made of solid rosewood with a beautiful decoration of the finest nickel-plated steel sheets. This chest of drawers will be an elegant decoration for a living room or bedroom in the Art Deco style - it will ideally fit into the overall interior of the room and will not stand out against the background of the furniture set.
