Chests of Drawers — Tall, Wide & Dressing Chests

A chest of drawers is the hardest-working storage in a bedroom. It holds everything that doesn't hang, and the top often doubles as a dressing surface. The main choice is shape: tall and narrow, or low and wide.

Below you'll find how to choose between them, how many drawers you need, and how to match the rest of the room. See the rest of our bedroom furniture and bedroom storage.

Tall chest of drawers or wide chest?

Tall chests and tallboys

A tall chest of drawers, often called a tallboy, gives you the most storage for the least floor space. It suits a narrow wall, the space beside a wardrobe, or a small bedroom where floor area is precious. Five and six drawer chests are the most common.

Wide chests and dressing chests

A low, wide chest, sometimes sold as a dressing chest, gives you a long top at waist height. Put a mirror above it and it becomes a dressing table; put a lamp on it and it works as a large bedside piece. It needs more wall, but it's the more versatile of the two.

How many drawers do you need?

Count what you fold. As a rough guide, one adult's everyday clothes fill four to five drawers. Deeper drawers at the bottom take jumpers and bedding; shallow drawers at the top suit socks and accessories. If you share the chest, a wide one with two columns of drawers is easier to divide.

Chest of drawers and dresser: the same thing?

In the UK and Ireland, a dresser traditionally means a kitchen cabinet with shelves above. In American usage, dresser means a chest of drawers. If you've been searching for a bedroom dresser, this is the collection you want.

Safety

Tall chests can tip if several drawers are pulled out at once, especially if a child climbs them. Fix tall pieces to the wall with an anti-tip fitting, and fill the bottom drawers first so the weight sits low.

Oak and painted chests of drawers

Oak and timber finishes suit a traditional or Scandinavian bedroom; grey, cashew and painted finishes are softer. Choosing the chest from the same range as your wardrobe and bedside tables is the easiest way to match a room.

Delivery and assembly

Furniture is delivered in 2 to 3 weeks unless the product page says otherwise. Our own team delivers across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and carries each piece into the room you choose, rather than leaving it at the door. Assembly is optional and can be added when you order; the cost is shown on each product.

Chest of drawers FAQs

What is a tallboy?

A tall, narrow chest of drawers, usually with five or six drawers, that gives plenty of storage on a small footprint.

What is a dressing chest?

A low, wide chest of drawers with a long top that can double as a dressing table with a mirror above it.

Should a tall chest of drawers be fixed to the wall?

Yes, especially in a home with children. An anti-tip fitting stops it toppling if several drawers are open.