Quickship

A Place to Unpack

Our Quickship collection arrives sooner than made-to-order furniture, so a guest room can have somewhere to unpack before the holiday visitors do.

The Dresser + Wardrobe Guide

How to Choose a Dresser or Wardrobe

Storage does the quiet work of keeping a bedroom calm. Five ideas for choosing pieces that do it beautifully.

Designer dresser in a styled bedroom

Count in garments, not inches

A piece is only as useful as the way it divides its space. The number of drawers, their depths, and any hanging rail decide what it can hold far more than its overall size does.

Use the height of the wall

A tall chest of drawers draws the eye upward and gives a room a sense of height. A low, wide dresser holds a long wall and offers its top to a mirror, a lamp, or a piece of art.

Choose the front for the mood

Smooth fronts read as one calm surface, while sculpted pulls or textured fronts add rhythm and detail. Decide which role the piece plays in the room, and the front follows.

Notice how the doors move

Hinged doors open to reveal the whole interior at once, and sliding doors keep the walkway clear. Check the swing against the bed and the path through the room.

Repeat it for a fitted look

Two narrow chests on either side of the bed or a window, or a pair of wardrobes along one wall, give a bedroom the feel of custom cabinetry.

The Uniek Edit

Little Luxuries for the Dresser Top

The Uniek Edit, our holiday gift guide, gathers little luxuries for the top of the dresser and the person who keeps it beautiful.

Explore the Uniek Edit
Holiday gift ideas from the Uniek Edit

Questions

Dresser + Wardrobe FAQs

What is the difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers?

A dresser is wide and low, with drawers set side by side, while a chest of drawers is taller and narrower, with drawers stacked in a single column. A chest suits a short wall or a corner, and a dresser suits a long one.

What height should a dresser be?

Dressers usually stand 30 to 36 inches high, a comfortable height for a tray, a lamp, or a mirror. Taller chests rise to about 48 inches or more and make use of the wall above.

How wide should a dresser be for my wall?

A dresser that spans about two thirds of the wall it stands against looks balanced, with space left at either end.

Can a wardrobe replace a closet?

Yes. In a room without a closet, a wardrobe provides hanging space and shelves in a single beautiful piece.

What should I look for inside a wardrobe?

A hanging rail with room for longer coats, shelves for folded knits, and drawers or a tray for small things. Many wardrobes combine all three.

What can I place on top of a dresser?

A mirror leaned or hung above, a lamp, a tray for everyday things, and one sculptural object give a dresser top an easy, finished look. Leave some surface bare.

How do I secure a tall dresser or wardrobe?

Anchor it to a wall stud with an anti-tip bracket or strap. It is a simple step that keeps a tall piece steady, especially in a home with children.

What if my wall is an unusual size?

Share the width and height of the wall, along with any sloped ceiling or window, and Design Assistance can help you find a dresser or wardrobe that fits the space.

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