A chest of drawers in a Modern Interior
Dressers have jumped back into the spotlight, catching everyone’s eye in houses all over again. They offer great storage and show up in loads of designs, turning bedrooms and living rooms into cozy, stylish places. No matter if the style is modern, classic, fancy neoclassical, warm Provençal, or laid-back shabby chic — there’s always a chest of drawers that matches the mood. Discover neat tricks to choose the right one, and maybe even spot a hidden feature that makes it truly unique. Keep reading to see why this furniture is making waves once more — it’s a trend worth following.
The dresser in the house
In the early 18th century in France, dressers were replaced by spacious but uncomfortable chests of drawers. Extendable drawers, the ability to sort things and place items on a chest of drawers, mirrors or candlesticks ensured the popularity of this piece of furniture, which has been preserved for two centuries.
In the past century, dressers were considered impractical, in many countries, in the conditions of small housing favorites were tall wardrobes, supplemented by shelves and drawers. Time went by, the Scandinavian style, thoughtful, functional, but at the same time not overloaded with furniture became fashionable. Chests of drawers that had undergone a number of changes returned to their former popularity and went beyond the bedroom.
The advantage of a chest of drawers is that it can become the decorative centre of any room. This can easily be done with a catchy and active decor or a tabletop lid and empty space above the chest of drawers. Various decorative elements can be placed on the chest of drawers: figurines, clocks, vases, pot plants, memorabilia, caskets, etc. Small shelves, a mirror, a panel, a picture or a composition of photographs will fit perfectly on the wall above the chest of drawers.
Types of chest of drawers and purpose
All dressers are traditionally divided into large, medium and small. The main characteristics are:
- height is the distance from the floor to the countertop lid;
- depth is the distance from the facade to the back wall;
- width – the distance between the sides.
Large dressers are characterized by heights from 120 to 160 cm, depths of 40-50 and widths of 100-120 cm. These dressers have a good capacity and can easily replace a standard cabinet. However, when choosing this option, remember that a large chest of drawers can compete for a central place in a room, so it will not be appropriate in every room. But for chalet-style interiors it’s the ideal choice.
There are wider chest of drawers as well. They have two functions at once – a chest of drawers and consoles. On the top cover of such chest of drawers often installed TV, but designers remind that this is not the only option to use furniture. You can put books, decorative elements, flowers in vases or potted plants on the top cover.
The range of chest of drawers is not limited to products of these sizes. There are both bigger and smaller versions. Chests of drawers for cosmetics, which can be installed on a cabinet or a table in the bedroom, are very popular.
The purpose of all dressers is to store bed linen, clothes, personal belongings, documents and other items. However, some chest of drawers combine several functions.
Chests of drawers with changing tables or combined with a crib will interest young parents. Such a chest of drawers allows you to place many items needed for your baby in one place.
- Accommodation Methods
There are several options for placing dressers. Depending on the intended installation location, the product model is also selected.
The wall chests of drawers are fixed to the wall. As a rule, they have short dimensions so as not to overload the wall. They are suitable for small spaces and are an original replacement for open shelves.
Island dressers are designed for installation in the centre of the room. They can act as a divider, zoning a room or serve as a mini-bar. They have a nice back wall or drawers that slide out in both directions. These chest of drawers are only suitable for large rooms.
Wall or traditional dressers are installed near the wall. Can be corner and straight (linear), with drawers, shelves, doors.
- Chest of drawers materials
Today a wide variety of materials, both artificial and natural, are used in the manufacture of dressers.
Chests of drawers of premium quality are made of natural wood. Such products are considered a luxury item and a highlight of any interior. Most often mahogany, Karelian birch, cherry and oak are used for making dressers.
Chests of drawers made of glass can also emphasize individuality and status. These stylish and unique designs characterize the owners as outstanding, courageous people. Such a chest of drawers can easily become a highlight of the interior, but it serves more as a showcase than a place to store linen, documents and other things.
- Chests of drawers for the bedroom
Chests of drawers have long been considered furniture designed exclusively for the bedroom, so here they look organic and as appropriate as possible. Correctly chosen chest of drawers does not overload the room and easily accommodates bed linen, clothes for sleep and other things.
The chest of drawers can combine the functions of several pieces of furniture. For example, a chest of drawers can easily replace a desk and storage space for different things, and a chest of drawers with a mirror can be a worthy replacement for a dressing table.
For a small bedroom, it is better to choose a high, narrow chest of drawers or a corner model.
- Living Room Codes
The living room dresser is particularly decorative. It can become the main accent, help in this facade with beautiful carving, intarsia, a combination of different materials.
In the living room, the chest of drawers often acts as a TV clot or bookshelf. A small chest of drawers can be used as a coffee table by placing it between chairs or near a sofa. You can use paired chest of drawers on either side of a tall closet, sofa or window to create a symmetrical living room interior. In the living room there is a chest of drawers with a showcase, where you can put photos, services or souvenirs. If there are small children in the family, make sure that the chest of drawers is securely fixed.