How to choose a chest of drawers: what types are there, designers’ recommendations for choosing

Content:

1. Types of chests of drawers
2. Material of manufacture
   1. MDF
   2. Solid natural wood
   3. Chipboard
3. Chest dimensions
   1. Height
   2. Length
   3. Depth
4. Execution options
   1. Classic chest of drawers
   2. Corner chest of drawers
   3. Pentagonal chest of drawers
   4. Radius chest of drawers
   5. Chest of drawers with mirror
   6. Commode chest
5. Using a chest of drawers in different rooms
   1. Chest of drawers in the living room
   2. Chest of drawers in the bedroom
   3. Chest of drawers in the kitchen
   4. Chest of drawers in the nursery
   5. Chest of drawers in the bathroom
   6. Chest of drawers in the hallway
6. How to choose a chest of drawers: recommendations from experts

A chest of drawers is a universal piece of furniture, a worthy alternative to bulky cabinets. A compact and multifunctional product, which is a descendant of the chest, will fit perfectly into the interior of both a spacious luxurious living room and a small modest room. The presence of several niches with internal shelves allows you to equip a full-fledged storage space, and if you add a mirror to the design, it can easily be transformed into a dressing table. The tabletop of a chest of drawers is often used to place decorative items that are dear to the heart (photos, figurines), and it is also ideal for zoning space. And these are not all the reasons to buy a chest of drawers for your home, but before buying you should familiarize yourself with the classification of such furniture and its features choice.

Types of chests of drawers

The classic version of a chest of drawers is considered to be a model of a regular geometric shape (usually rectangular) with drawers of different heights, open shelves and spacious closed compartments. The upper part is a tabletop - sometimes it is equipped with a TV stand.

Customers are offered a huge selection: very miniature models with a couple of drawers, low wide chests of drawers in the oriental style, tall narrow chests of drawers reminiscent of whatnots. Models with sliding and hinged doors, chests of drawers, which are indispensable in rooms like a hallway, chests of drawers in the form of woodpiles, musical instruments and even a little black dress from Coco Chanel - the designers’ imagination is limitless. But the most important role in the classification of chests of drawers is played by such criteria as material of manufacture, dimensions and design options.

Material of manufacture

Different materials are used to make chests of drawers, from luxury wood to chipboard. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

MDF

MDF is a material about which one can say “they don’t seek good from good.” Its production technology is quite complex, so furniture made from MDF is cheaper than wooden furniture, but more expensive than products made from chipboard. In addition to environmental safety and affordable price, it has many other advantages:

• Increased strength and long service life. If a chest of drawers made of MDF is made to last, it can be passed on by inheritance.
• Resistance to moisture, mold and mildew.
• Presentable appearance - a high-quality processed product does not differ from analogues made from natural materials.
• Plasticity is a property that allows you to make facades of any shape (for example, radius) and shaped elements from MDF.

The disadvantage of MDF chests of drawers is their susceptibility to temperature changes and overheating. Of course, everything is not so scary: to extend the life of the chest of drawers, it is enough to place it away from the battery. However, for the kitchen it is still better to choose a model made of a different material.

Light chest of drawers

White chest of drawers

Solid natural wood

A solid wood chest of drawers is a luxurious acquisition that you can be proud of. Wood creates a favorable microclimate in the room, lends itself well to decorative cutting, has a unique texture, lasts a long time, but most importantly, it is absolutely environmentally friendly.  

Of course, you will have to spend money on such a purchase, but the range of prices for wooden chests of drawers is wide. The cost is largely influenced by the breed. Thus, the premium segment usually includes beautiful and durable chests of drawers made of beech and oak, as well as cabinets made of exotic wood (teak, wenge). A chest of drawers made of birch will cost an order of magnitude cheaper, and pine is considered the most affordable option - the low cost is explained by the low resistance of pine to physical influences.

Chest of drawers with stone top

Buyers who prefer a wooden chest of drawers should take into account the tendency of wood to absorb and release moisture. Wood does not like dampness and high humidity - the impact of these factors leads to the appearance of cracks. The final performance characteristics of the chest of drawers depend on the type of wood and the quality of the outer protective layers.

Chipboard

The budget cost of chests of drawers made of chipboard is explained by the availability of raw materials - the material is made from sawdust and small wood shavings. Chipboard products have their advantages:

1. Good strength and load-bearing capacity.
2. Variety of designs. To give a nice appearance, manufacturers veneer or laminate chests of drawers made of chipboard - special coatings allow them to imitate any surface and protect the owner of the chest of drawers from fumes of harmful substances, which are often included in the composition.
3. Fast production process. If the buyer wants to make a custom-made chest of drawers, he won’t have to wait long for it.
4. Resistance to rotting and fungus formation.
5. Relatively light weight: a chest of drawers made of chipboard can be easily moved to another place.

When choosing a chest of drawers like this, you need to pay attention to the quality of processing of the cuts. It would be good if they were treated with PVC film: melamine edge tape is inferior to it in terms of protective properties and moisture resistance.

Chest dimensions

Since the main task of a chest of drawers is to store things, it is important to choose its size correctly - the capacity directly depends on this criterion. When choosing a size, the following parameters are taken into account.

Height

The height of the chest of drawers is selected taking into account the overall layout, ease of use of the furniture by both adults and children, the possibility of installing the product flush against the wall, without blocking access to sockets and other equipment. Depending on the height, chests of drawers are divided into three types:

• Tall (130-160 cm). Such chests of drawers, reminiscent of a wardrobe or an elongated pencil case, are optimal for storing a large number of things.
• Medium (100-130 cm). Medium-height chests of drawers with a beautiful front and 3-5 drawers are a universal solution for almost any space.
• Low (up to 100 cm) chests of drawers are good for children's rooms; they are also used as bedside furniture. The minimum height of the chest of drawers must be 85 cm, otherwise it will already be a cabinet.

In addition to the basic parameters, you need to pay attention to the thickness of the back wall. It must be at least 6 mm, otherwise the chest of drawers may sag under the weight of the utensils stored in it.

Length

The length of a chest of drawers is the distance between its side walls - it must be at least 50 cm, otherwise the chest of drawers will be difficult to call functional. Short chests of drawers, the length of which does not exceed 80 cm, fit perfectly into small rooms such as a hallway and compartments between furniture (for example, two cabinets). Externally, they look like a single row of boxes that are located one above the other.

The standard model range, which is most in demand among buyers, includes chests of drawers with a length of 80-100 cm. Their upper surface can be used to place various decorative elements or, for example, as a changing table.

Long (over a meter) models of chests of drawers have a special capacity. Solid dimensions make it possible to arrange their internal drawers in 2-3 rows. The maximum length limit is two meters - longer chests of drawers look bulky and eat up a significant part of the usable area.

Depth

The depth of the chest of drawers must be selected taking into account the width of the room and the installation location. The minimum depth of compact models is 30 cm. Since a couple of centimeters are occupied by the thickness of the rear and front walls, it is not advisable to buy narrower models.

Execution options

Special attention when choosing the ideal chest of drawers requires the design option (shape, design). Here are some common options.

Classic chest of drawers

A classic of the genre is a square or rectangular chest of drawers with several drawers and a table top. Such models of chests of drawers, which perfectly complement the design with a linear arrangement of furniture, are usually placed along the wall.

Corner chest of drawers

A corner chest of drawers allows you to make maximum use of empty corners and rationally use free space. Such products are suitable for any room, but before purchasing, you need to make sure that outward-opening doors and other parts will not abut adjacent objects.

Pentagonal chest of drawers

A chest of drawers with five corners is a spacious piece of furniture consisting of a central part with closed drawers and two side sections with open shelves. Such products have practically no disadvantages, but they are not suitable for small apartments.

Radial chest of drawers

Radius chests of drawers require more space than standard models, but they look original and add uniqueness to the interior. The most stylish look are products made from combined materials (for example, a wooden body and glass doors covering the side shelves). Radius chests of drawers are also good in rooms decorated using smooth lines, and their safety will be an additional bonus - the absence of corners is especially important if there are children or elderly people in the family.

Chest of drawers with mirror

Chests of drawers with a mirror, the height of which is usually inferior to standard products, are the best choice for the bedroom. The mirror part of such furniture looks like a movable lid that folds against the wall. The design can be equipped with closed cabinets and open shelves. You can install it anywhere, but it is advisable that the mirror is not located opposite the bed.

Commode chest

Compartment chests of drawers are usually equipped with both spacious compartments for storing linen and clothes, and small drawers for cosmetics, jewelry, and gadgets. It is enough to purchase such a chest of drawers - and the room will always be in perfect order.

Using a chest of drawers in different rooms

The choice of a chest of drawers, which will decorate your home and help you in the difficult task of maintaining order, largely depends on the functional purpose of the room. Here are some tips for arranging a chest of drawers in different rooms.

Chest of drawers in the living room

When choosing a chest of drawers that will take its rightful place in the living room, appearance comes to the fore. An undoubted advantage of such a chest of drawers will be, for example, mirrored shelves or other original decor. You should place beautiful accessories on the top shelf or behind glass doors. To ensure a comfortable rest, you can assign the chest of drawers the additional role of a stand for drinks or flowers, but in this case it is recommended to put a cover made of impact-resistant glass on the tabletop.

Chest of drawers in the bedroom

The bedroom is perhaps the most suitable room for installing a chest of drawers. Blankets, bed linen, cozy terry robes - all the things necessary for a relaxing holiday will always be at hand. To ensure comfortable use, chests of drawers are often equipped with local lighting, including internal lighting.

Some models of chests of drawers can easily turn into bedside ottomans, and, if there is a mirror, into dressing tables. It happens that the chest of drawers plays the role of the head of the bed - in this case it must be securely attached to its front wall or have a common base with the bed.

Chest of drawers in the kitchen

Chests of drawers are rarely found in the kitchen - usually their place is taken by cabinets and cupboards. But if space allows and there is a need to store rarely used utensils, you shouldn’t give up such comfortable furniture.

Chest of drawers in the nursery

The purpose of a chest of drawers in the bedroom depends on the age of the child. If a baby is born in the family, the chest of drawers will perform the additional function of a changing table; if the children have grown a little older, the chest of drawers will accommodate the things and toys of its little owners. The main requirement is that the chest of drawers must be made of environmentally friendly materials, and its design must be safe.

Before purchasing, you need to make sure that the chest of drawers’ fittings are reliable: closers, handles, guides. As for the design options, radius chests of drawers and products attached to the wall are considered one of the safest.

Chest of drawers in the bathroom

A chest of drawers in the bathroom is not just a corner in which household chemicals and bath accessories are stored. Today it is often combined with a washbasin, and if there is an appropriate compartment, it can accommodate a washing machine.

Chest of drawers in the hallway

The chest of drawers in the hallway is both a stand for things brought from the street and a place to store shoes, umbrellas, and bags. If the chest of drawers is low, it will successfully play the role of a bench or pouf.

How to choose a chest of drawers: recommendations from experts

When choosing a chest of drawers that meets the requirements and tastes of the household, it is worth considering other recommendations from experts:

1. You need to pay attention to the guide mechanism that the chest of drawers is equipped with. Roller guides are considered the most common option - they are inexpensive, but the drawers will not extend to their full length. Smooth and silent ball guides can be called more practical. Such fittings are usually equipped with closers that prevent the drawers from hitting the furniture body when closing.
2. If you choose a chest of drawers with hinged doors, you need to consider whether the furniture will impede the movement of household members.
3. Some models of chests of drawers have the “Wall Mounting” option. Installation of such products is somewhat difficult, but the chest of drawers will definitely not fall. But owners must still be careful: in order not to transfer the center of gravity to the drawers, they will have to be pulled out one at a time.
4. Measurements of the chest of drawers are taken from the edge of the extended drawers to the edge of the back wall. The thickness of the plinth, if there is one in the room, is added to the resulting indicator.
5. One of the most useful options on a chest of drawers is a stopper. This part holds the drawer and prevents it from accidentally falling out during opening.
6. The surface of the chest of drawers should be uniform, smooth, without any cracks or chips.
7. Another important point is the absence of gaps between the back wall, drawers and front panels.
8. If you want to organize things as much as possible, you should pay attention to furniture in which the drawers are divided in half. True, products with drawers divided in two are more expensive than regular ones.
9. For a room with uneven floors, you can choose a model with adjustable legs.
10. Of the possible options for handles (staples, buttons, etc.), the most practical are considered to be mortise handles that cannot be caught on.
11. Even if the purchased chest of drawers looks super reliable, it must be handled with care. Do not place cups with hot drinks on it: this will negatively affect the service life of the varnish coating and the appearance of the product. It is also important to ensure that the load on the chest of drawers is even. The upper drawers should be filled with light things, and the lower ones can be filled with heavier things.

The Garda Decor online store presents originaldesigner chests of drawers for every taste made from premium materials: solid wood wood, natural stone, high-quality imitation marble. Each product is unique: with its help you can create a fashionable interior and express your individuality. A chest of drawers from Garda Decor is not just a purchase, it is an investment that will create an elegant atmosphere in the room for many years and delight its owners.