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.
The role of a chest of drawers in a modern home
“You can easily select a chest of drawers to suit the interior of any room”
Today's chests of drawers are very reminiscent in their design of mini-cabinets, of small height, in which there are several drawers. Some models have additions such as compartments with shelves hidden behind hinged doors. Housewives love to store clothes and bed linen there. Most often, chests of drawers are purchased for bedrooms. The fact that the chest of drawers is comfortable is obvious, which means it has every chance of remaining popular for many years to come.
Modern chest of drawers made in classic style
A chest of drawers is a great solution for small apartments. Despite its substantial capacity, it takes up very little space. As for the design of the chest of drawers, it has changed little since its invention, but its appearance has gone through more than one stage of improvements, so now the choice of chests of drawers amazes with the variety of decorative finishes and shapes. You can easily select a chest of drawers to suit the interior of any room.
In the process of transforming the number of drawers, their shape and appearance, the width and height of the product, covering materials and finishing options, such a necessary model as a changing chest of drawers was born, which is actually a hybrid of a changing table and a cabinet for children's things.
What does the concept of designer furniture mean?
Designer furniture is furniture that has been manufactured using an individual approach. There are two types:
- The definition of designer means furniture made according to the wishes of the customer;
- Unusual furniture with very limited production and distinguished by originality is called branded.
In principle, only one thing distinguishes both types. In the first case, the author of the project will be the customer directly, and in the second, this role is assigned to the manufacturer.
Functionality and design
A chest of drawers has always been considered a prestigious piece of furniture, which is why venerable artisans were involved in their manufacture in ancient times. However, their products were made in a purely classical form. Modern manufacturers are in constant search. They are developing new design options for chests of drawers that would easily fit into current interiors.
chest of drawers with gold inserts
The classics of the chest of drawers consist of:
- Legs (base).
- Drawers.
- Countertops.
However, even such a simple chest of drawers allows you to play with structural systems.
Today's chests of drawers are characterized by non-standard dimensions. They can be wide and deep. And also be completely rearranged, so they can be easily fit into large storage systems, a prominent example of which can be considered a wardrobe. The chest of drawers is no less functional than its bulky counterpart, but at the same time it does not clutter up the space at all, especially if you lift it on its legs and not leave it standing on the plinth. The presence of drawers makes it possible to fully use the internal volume of the structure, and its tabletop becomes a wonderful place for placing all kinds of accessories. On the chest of drawers in the bedroom interior you can place:
functional chest of drawers for the bedroom
- Cosmetics.
- Telephone.
- Souvenirs.
- Framed photo.
- Figurines.
- Watch.
- Table lamp.
You can also use it as a stand for a TV or other equipment.
What is very valuable in the design of today's chests of drawers is their versatility. Now, not only in modern types of chests of drawers, but also in classic ones you can find the most unpredictable “filling,” as they say, for any need.
For lovers of the classics, we offer models of chests of drawers with a sliding opening system, with the exterior of traditional hinged doors.
chest of drawers with doors and drawers
Inside the chest of drawers there may be a lattice on which it is convenient to store bottles, and drawers for dishes. Such a chest of drawers will be in demand in the interior of the dining room, living room, and kitchen. This piece of furniture continues to evolve. What made the chest of drawers more interesting was the combination of elevator and sliding doors in one copy. To open this door, you first need to pull it out and only then lift it up.
Lovers of antiques will love the model made by modern craftsmen based on an ancient sketch. The main elements of the classics are preserved here: bronze edging and carvings. Such a chest of drawers will become not just a necessary piece of furniture, but a real decorative decoration of the room in which it will appear.
pale turquoise color of a chest of drawers in the interior of a bright bedroom
A small chest of drawers with mother-of-pearl inlay in the Moroccan style will help bring sophistication to your home. The strict color scheme of the product and the richness of the ornamental painting will make it the central element of the decor.
Manufacturers pleased lovers of Chinese and Japanese cultures with a dark lacquered chest of drawers, decorated with bamboo and the finest paintings. There is a wide choice of colors. Here you will find both the usual classics and extreme colors.
painting on the front facade of the chest of drawers
Manufacturing materials
At the moment, chipboard is considered the most popular. The furniture body is made from it, and the facade is made from more expensive MDF. The latter can be matte, glossy, smooth or embossed. Wood is used in more expensive models, quite often to order for a ready-made design. Plastic chests of drawers are the most economical option, which costs a penny, but is not particularly durable in use.
Such models are popular for the bathroom or closet, where they will not be very noticeable. If the entire structure is made of wood or chipboard, they often experiment on the doors using non-standard materials. This includes the same plastic and glass. There are options with combined materials: one group of doors is made of chipboard or MDF, and the other (for example, hinged facades) is made of frosted glass with a pattern or design.
Chest of drawers in the interior: colors and shades
What your chest of drawers will be made of will depend, first of all, on the budget allocated for it and on the functionality of the room where it is intended to be used.
It’s not always possible to experiment with shape, so you’ll have to play with color schemes. The right color can make a chest of drawers the brightest or the lightest element of the decor. More laconic colors will transform the product and add a touch of rigor to it, but even in this case it will still not be able to go unnoticed in the interior. Often the chest of drawers is given an accent role, which means its color should be in ideal proportions with the existing decor. lacquered chest of drawers made of dark wood
Dark severity
“To make such a chest of drawers for a classic interior, you will need wood from dark trees”
Dressers in similar color variations are the prerogative of bedrooms and offices. In this case, the choice of designers is based on the compositional idea. There will be either color contrast or an attempt to add special comfort to the classic decor. To make such a chest of drawers for a classic interior, you will need wood from dark trees. This will add pomp and value to the item. You can coat it with suitable paint. This is done as necessary. A chest of drawers made of spruce wood is good for an office, the design of which used burgundy and emerald tones. But the bedroom will most likely require a painted chest of drawers. A white room with dark inclusions (bed, chest of drawers, table, closet) is perceived wonderfully.
dark chest of drawers in the interior of a white bedroom
Delicate pastel
Designs made in pastel colors do not tolerate the intrusion of provocative accents, so you need to choose the right environment for them.
Moreover, think through this issue even before the start of the implementation of the main topic. Pastel colors include all pale-looking derivatives of bright primary colors. These seemingly inconspicuous color options are rich in features. For example, they can expand space and diffuse light. This effect is very necessary in small rooms with poor lighting. Pastels in the bedroom promote relaxation and help you fall asleep. Such interiors are always light and sophisticated. The soft turquoise color of the chest of drawers will fit perfectly into the interior of a bright bedroom
Bursts of brightness
A chest of drawers in the interior is an unpretentious thing, so choosing colors for it is not so difficult, especially when the key role is given to the bed . Here, experiment with color as much as you like! Maybe your chest of drawers will become rainbow, maybe striped, or perhaps you will highlight it with polka dots. It is convenient and practical to make a chest of drawers a splash of color, the task of which is to dilute the overall atmosphere without attracting the main attention. In addition to single-color painting, you can be original and paint the drawers in separate colors or shade the legs.
chest of drawers with colorful drawers
What are chests of drawers made from?
In principle, a chest of drawers can be made from anything. Respectable furniture of this type is made from valuable wood or such varieties as:
- Cherry;
- Nut;
- Maple.
In modern interpretations, materials are often combined. Stone is combined with glass, leather, stained glass and metal. Famous companies offer chests of drawers for home interiors with gold and silver inserts, decorations made of unique alloys and precious stones. Each manufacturer has its own special design secrets, so the products can never be confused with other, equally high-quality products of this type.
laminated bathroom chest of drawers
In more budget models of chests of drawers, the structure is assembled from:
- Furniture plywood.
- MDF.
- Chipboard.
- Metal.
- Rattan.
- Plastic.
- Glass.
MDF is more durable. A chest of drawers made from it will last a long time. A rattan chest of drawers belongs to the category of wicker furniture and almost always pleases with its incredible texture and often unusual shape. Metal chests of drawers will last almost forever. Forged patterns and neat openwork metal inserts will add exclusivity to the furniture.
classic chest of drawers in a modern interior
Photo printing on the surface of a chest of drawers in the interior always looks like a highlight .
Such prints can be miniature or catchy, large. There are no restrictions regarding plots. It can be an ornament or a copy of a great painting. When it comes to finishing, manufacturers are unanimous and give preference to varnish, most often glossy, which, unlike matte finishes, adds volume and shine to the item. The “chameleon” coating looks unusual. This is a specific method of varnishing surfaces, in which the color of the chest of drawers will change in accordance with the viewing angle.
chest of drawers with original print
Types of chests of drawers
Thanks to the wide range of models, it will not be difficult to choose a chest of drawers to fit in a room of any size and purpose.
Mirror
Such luxurious products will add respectability to the atmosphere. Ideal for living room, hallway, bedroom. The reflective surface of the door leaves combines in an original way with wood and stone surfaces. Glass cabinets are organically combined with bar counters, weightless shelving, and transparent hanging shelves. Colored glass inserts look impressive against the background of white furniture.
Chests of drawers
Such products visually resemble a miniature wardrobe. Sliding doors will allow you to comfortably use furniture installed in a narrow hallway or compact room. There are only shelves inside. Door leaves are made of frosted glass or wood.
Corner
Such products always look more interesting than traditional models. The back sides of the chest of drawers are located at right angles. The shape of the facade can be varied:
- pentagonal is in greatest demand as furniture becomes a spacious storage system. Drawers are usually located in the central part, and the side sections are closed with doors or equipped with open shelves;
- triangular is not very popular because it is less spacious. Traditional filling - drawers or shelves behind the doors;
- semicircular is formed by a pentagonal base and a rounded tabletop, at which it is comfortable to sit. There are drawers in the central part of the cabinet, and open shelves on the side.
Thanks to the combination of materials (wooden facades and countertops, glass doors), original and functional corner chests of drawers are obtained.
Hanging
Chests of drawers without legs are fixed on the wall. This product can only be mounted on a strong, thick wall. It is important to use hanging cabinets in small spaces. As an option - in the bathroom, in the hall of a country house or in the hallway.
On legs
The chests of drawers stand directly on the floor thanks to different types of supports. The furniture is distinguished by its solidity and solid appearance. Impressive dimensions provide functionality and spaciousness. These are the types of chests of drawers that are used to furnish living rooms and bedrooms. Products of solid size are quite bulky, so they are difficult to rearrange.
Modular
It is most convenient to install modular systems indoors. Furniture is reminiscent of a construction set - you can purchase individual elements of the system and rearrange them at your own discretion. As a rule, the depth of the cabinet corresponds to the depth of the other elements. Most often, such furniture is made from MDF.
Chest of drawers
The product is a structure consisting of closed boxes and open shelves. Such models usually do not have a solid back wall and can be used for zoning rooms.
Radial
Chests of drawers with convex fronts look unconventional. The shape of the products does not reduce their functionality, but they may cost more than their traditional rectangular counterparts.
Chest of drawers in your home
Chest of drawers in the living room
If a chest of drawers is purchased for the living room, then you need to choose it responsibly.
The fact is that in this room, the chest of drawers will set the tone for the entire environment. Here he will rule the show and this cannot be ignored. Since a chest of drawers is better than other furniture at conveying the flavor of its era, designers recommend looking at tall, but completely shallow chests of drawers, which in the living room interior can take place behind sofas or roomy armchairs. Their tabletops are decorated with flowers or lamps. Often chests of drawers become participants in the zoning of a room. Low chests of drawers successfully replace coffee tables. TVs can be placed on chests of drawers, but today a plasma wall panel is more relevant in the living room. But the chest of drawers that appears underneath can be turned into a console table. It is optimal if it is placed on legs and not on a plinth and has small drawers. They will be convenient for storing a player, discs, 3D glasses and other small items. This method of arranging furniture will be successful in a small space, where space for a large chest of drawers is an unaffordable luxury.
small chest of drawers for living room interior decoration
Bedroom chest of drawers
Initially, chests of drawers were planned as bedroom furniture.
Its dimensions make it possible to hide bed linen and a lot of other things in it, while the room remains uncluttered with furniture. A wide range of such products allows you to choose a chest of drawers to suit any stylish interior. From the point of view of designers, decorating small chests of drawers is much easier than massive cabinets. When choosing a model, correlate its dimensions with the size of the room. The chest of drawers should not be absurdly small and get lost in space, but it should not look threateningly large either. It’s also worth figuring out what can fit inside it. The functionality and massiveness of the remaining furnishings will depend on this. The place of the chest of drawers in the bedroom is most often opposite the bed. An exception to this rule would be the small area of the room and the presence of a single bed. chest of drawers in a bedroom interior in modern style
Chest of drawers for children
When it comes to furnishing a nursery, you shouldn’t even think about saving money and hoping for chance. The nursery should contain only good quality furniture, securely placed on the floor and covered with a composition that can be easily cleaned from children's art. When choosing a chest of drawers for the interior of a nursery, you should not take models made of natural wood, which are not cheap, but will be ruined just as well as their cheaper relatives. Since the furniture in this room has to be changed every few years, it is rational to buy chests of drawers made of plastic and laminate here. The materials themselves are light, and their surface is easy to clean, and this will make life incredibly easier for mothers. What needs to be checked in this case? First of all, small details. They and the fittings must be securely fastened, as well as the quality of the finish, both external and internal. This will save you from hassle-free dresser repairs.
chest of drawers for children's room
Chest of drawers in the kitchen
In kitchen decor, a chest of drawers can also be an indispensable item.
It, being tall and shallow, can easily replace the usual sideboard. A chest of drawers in a kitchen interior is decorated with napkins and towels, tablecloths and trays, and their drawers are filled with dishes and other utensils. Models of small chests of drawers serve more for kitchen decoration. They display beautiful flowers, tea sets or cute little trinkets. Inside, you can most often find expensive sets of cutlery that are used “on occasion.” In modern kitchen furnishings, the chest of drawers generally plays the role of a bar. It is filled with special grids on which it is convenient to store bottles, as well as crossbars for glasses. Some configurations include space for kegs. These chests of drawers are made from dark wood. Due to its compactness, the chest of drawers can be installed in any corner of the kitchen.
chest of drawers in the kitchen is original and convenient
Chest of drawers for the hallway
If you are lucky enough to have a spacious hallway, then a chest of drawers in its interior will come in handy.
It will fill the free space. It is appropriate to place an armchair or a comfortable chair next to it. It is convenient to store gloves, scarves, mittens, keys, and mail in the chest of drawers. Its design will provide a shelf for every household member. This will save you from collecting things scattered throughout the hallway. Place a decorative basket on your dresser. It is very convenient to put documents, letters, telegrams in it.
chest of drawers in the dressing room
Any low chest of drawers will look fresh if you decorate it with flowers. A mirror can be hung above the chest of drawers, then its tabletop will most likely be reserved for decorative cosmetics. You can occupy the wall above the chest of drawers with a beautiful sconce, decorate it with a painting or panel. On the side of such furniture you can attach hooks on which bags, short jackets, umbrellas and packages will hang.
It is very popular today to convert a chest of drawers into a shoe cabinet, where special compartments are provided for shoes and boots.
The snow-white chest of drawers fits perfectly into the interior of the dressing room
Chest of drawers in the bathroom
A chest of drawers in the bathroom interior will also not look like something extraordinary. In this room it is simply necessary. It will bring with it a sea of conveniences and will make the atmosphere of a specific room completely cozy. The tall chest of drawers will accommodate everything you cannot do without in the bathroom: shampoos, towels, gels, creams, oils. The only thing is, when choosing a model for the bathroom, look for a product with a moisture-resistant coating.
DIY chest of drawers decor options
It’s quite possible to give a new life to an old chest of drawers with your own hands. There are a lot of ideas for decorating boring furniture. One of the simplest is painting, varnishing or applying self-adhesive paper with a pattern. With the first two, everything is very clear: just take varnish, paint, a brush and start updating.
If you have a talent for the art of painting, then you can go beyond applying several layers of paint and reproduce the original pattern or design. The ornament is duplicated using a stencil. For tall models, creating a gradient effect is suitable: a smooth transition from white on the top drawer to dark blue on the bottom with blue in the middle. In lowered models, it makes sense to decorate the tabletop, which attracts attention due to its height. It is covered with gift paper or the decoupage technique is used. The method of pasting furniture raises many questions. There are two ways:
- Buy special photo wallpaper for the size of the chest of drawers.
- Find a high-quality drawing yourself and contact a special company that prints pictures onto sticky “media”.
When gluing, watch for air bubbles that form; you need to get rid of them. Construction stores sell sockets made of polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam (the former is preferable), which imitate antique stucco. They are painted in the desired color and attached to the chest of drawers. The doors can be covered with bright fabric with a beautiful pattern. It is attached with double-sided tape. This chest of drawers looks like a real designer product.
Photo gallery - chest of drawers in the interior:
A brief history of the appearance of bedroom furniture
Since the distant past, people used chests instead of chests of drawers and wardrobes. It could perform different tasks: things could be stored inside, and people could sit or lie on it.
The first chest of drawers appeared in Italy, only furniture similar to modern ones was made there. And due to the fact that people relax in bedrooms, everything here should be made of natural materials.
Color Features
Black color is neutral, so it fits well into any interior style. According to psychological reflections, this color has the following abilities in room design:
- carries mystery, secrets, and also has curiosity, attaches to oneself, so if the owner wants to emphasize the selected pieces of furniture, it is better that they are black;
- knows how to captivate hearts, because it is never the same: you just need to put an object of bright color on the surface of the product, the model will sparkle with other colors;
- elegant and perfect - even if the product is made in the simplest style, for example country, it will still carry a share of sophistication thanks to the colors.
By purchasing a black chest of drawers, a wide range of possibilities appears. Even if it has not yet been decided in advance where the product will be installed, it will fit into any room. However, if such a chest of drawers is the only dark spot in the interior, it will constantly attract attention. Then, it is recommended to dilute the decor a little with furniture of the same color or to focus on the decoration.
It is not recommended to install this model in a children's room. The color black will have a negative impact on the child’s psyche, exciting it. It is better to give preference to a product with white inserts.
An excellent option would be a glossy black chest of drawers for the bathroom. This room can be decorated in such a way that everything around looks stylish and cozy. The glossy surface is easy to clean from water, and the product itself can accommodate a large number of bathing accessories and textiles.
Install a chest of drawers of a given color only where they suit the style. The most common rooms, bedrooms and living rooms, will go well with the black model, provided it is finished appropriately.
Rules of care
Everyone knows that black furniture picks up dust very quickly. It happens that in the morning the housewife wiped the chest of drawers with a damp cloth, and in the evening it was again covered with a layer of dust. For this, there are special products and polishes that can keep the surface clean for a long time.
Fingerprints often remain on glossy surfaces; they can also be removed using furniture polish. It should be applied to a dry viscose cloth and the chest of drawers should be wiped as it becomes dirty.
If you like the black color, be prepared for the fact that products of this type are demanding to care for. Wet cleaning will have to be done at least once every 4 days, and if dust is constantly circulating in the house, then more often.
A black chest of drawers always brings elegance and a touch of originality to the interior. Such products are spacious and functional, they are able to store a large number of things and fit into any interior. The products give the room an effect of rigor and grace, capable of delighting even the most fastidious user.
