Chest of Drawers for the Bedroom – Tall or Wide, Drawers, Colour
In the bedroom the chest of drawers is storage first and furniture second. It must take whatever does not hang in the wardrobe, open quietly at six in the morning and stand where it does not disturb the bed. At the same time the bedroom is the room in which a beautiful chest of drawers stands out most, because there are so few other pieces of furniture. In this article we compare tall and wide models, clarify how many drawers you need and show how an old solid-wood chest of drawers beats any new one in the bedroom. You will find the overview of all chests of drawers in our chest of drawers guide.
Tall or wide chest of drawers: storage decides
A tall chest of drawers, 100 to 130 cm with five to seven drawers one above the other, offers the most storage per square metre of floor. It fits on the wall beside the door or wardrobe and is the right choice in a small bedroom. A wide chest of drawers, 100 to 140 cm wide and 80 to 90 cm tall, with six drawers in two rows, offers a surface for a mirror, lamp and jewellery and belongs on the wall opposite the bed. It is right when the room is meant to look furnished and not merely a place for storage. A large chest of drawers with two rows of drawers and 150 cm of width replaces half a wardrobe for anyone who folds rather than hangs.
How many drawers, and how big?
As a rule of thumb, three wide drawers per person: one for underwear and socks, one for T-shirts and jumpers, one for trousers or nightwear. The interior height should be at least 12 cm for folded jumpers and 15 cm for jeans. A chest of drawers with six drawers is therefore enough for two people and is the standard size in the bedroom. Old chests of drawers usually have three or four deep drawers that hold more than six shallow new ones. Make sure the drawers run quietly: wood on wood is quieter than metal runners.
Bedside table and chest of drawers: two in one
A pair of small chests of drawers with two or three drawers as bedside tables offers a surface and storage at once, and the large chest of drawers can then be somewhat smaller. The right height is the top of the mattress plus 5 to 10 cm. The two need not be identical, only the same height and the same colour. How this works with divan beds is described in Bedside chest of drawers, and you can see all the models in the bedside table guide.
Colour and style in the bedroom
The bedroom tolerates more calm than other rooms. Pearl grey, greige, dark green and black all work; white looks cold if the walls are white as well. A black chest of drawers against a dark wall creates a tone-on-tone effect that suits the subdued light of the bedroom. The style may be classic: a Gustavian chest of drawers with three drawers, a Swedish Grace model with marquetry or a Rococo chest of drawers with a curved front, each in just one colour. You can read more about the period in Gustavian chests of drawers. As examples from our stock: the black-and-white chest of drawers with gold in the Haupt style for €980 and the off-black chest of drawers in Rococo style for €1,100. Questions of colour are explored further in Black chest of drawers and Chest of drawers in white, blue and colourful.
Placement: opposite, beside or at the window
Opposite the bed is the classic place, where the chest of drawers becomes the picture of the room. Leave 70 cm between the edge of the bed and the chest of drawers so that the drawers can open. Beside the door or wardrobe suits a tall chest of drawers that should not catch the eye from the bed. Under the window a low chest of drawers works, with 5 cm of air from the radiator. Avoid direct sun, which bleaches veneer and lacquer. How a single piece of furniture can carry a whole room is shown in Furnishing with statement pieces.
Why a restored chest of drawers convinces in the bedroom
An old chest of drawers is built of solid wood, the drawers are dovetailed and run quietly, and after restoration it smells of wood and lacquer, not of the attic: we sand the insides of the drawers, treat them and replace bases that smell musty. The finish is hard and can be wiped with a damp cloth. Restored, it costs about €980 to €1,100 with us, and in the Chests of drawers and bedside tables category you can see what is currently available. Why this is worthwhile compared with new furniture is set out in Why restore instead of buying new.
Chest of drawers and bed: dimensions working together
The chest of drawers should not overwhelm the bed and should not look lost. With a wide double bed a chest of drawers 120 to 140 cm wide suits the opposite wall; with a narrow bed one of 80 to 100 cm is enough. Pay attention to the doors as well: a chest of drawers that has to be carried past a door should be measured before purchase, especially in period buildings with narrow stairwells. Old chests of drawers can often be taken apart into carcass and drawers, which makes transport easier. We are happy to clarify delivery with you in advance.
What may stand on the chest of drawers
The top of a chest of drawers in the bedroom is a stage: a mirror, a lamp, a tray for jewellery and perfume, perhaps a plant. Less is more. Three things at different heights look calmer than ten small ones. A lacquered, satin top tolerates perfume bottles and teacups better than oiled wood, which takes rings; for delicate surfaces, trays or coasters help.
Frequently asked questions
May the chest of drawers stand in front of the radiator?
Better not. The heat dries out the wood and the veneer comes loose. If it must be, leave at least 10 cm of clearance and choose a chest of drawers on legs.
Chest of drawers or wardrobe?
Chest of drawers for everything that is folded, wardrobe for everything that hangs. Most people need both, but a tall chest of drawers with six drawers replaces half a wardrobe.
How do I get the smell out of an old chest of drawers?
During restoration the insides of the drawers are sanded and treated, and where necessary they are given new bases. A restored chest of drawers from us smells of wood and lacquer, not of the attic.