CART
Chests
Chests of Drawers
A chest of drawers is one of the most useful and efficient pieces of furniture used in today's home. At AFA Stores, we offer a vast collection of chests of drawers to fit virtually any decorating scheme. Call (800) 617-0106 to learn how we can help.
A bedroom chest is traditionally used for storing clothing, but it is equally useful for any small items you don’t want to display. They can also be used in any room of your home. For example, chests of drawers are frequently used in or near a bathroom for storing towels and linens, while many carpenters find that a chest of drawers is perfect for their shop.
History The chest of drawers, as we know it today, was first developed in the mid-1600s. It evolved from the long, low seaman's chest that was popular in homes at that time. The seaman’s chest had a top lid concealing a single, deep storage space, and was typically used for longer-term or seasonal storage. In today's bedroom chests, the large bottom drawers serve the same purpose.
Styles Bedroom chests are most commonly constructed of wood, such as walnut or white oak. Consumers seeking a rich look and feel love cherry and red oak. Painted or stained chests of drawers are also popular, and are available in a wide range of colors. You can even purchase an unfinished chest of drawers and stain or paint it to your personal taste. Chest styles run the gamut from very plain to highly ornate.
Since the drawers are accessed from the front, the backside of a bedroom chest is generally placed against the wall. The average width is 60 inches, but dimensions vary dramatically. A lingerie chest is a slim design available in widths of 15 to 18 inches. This type of chest can slip conveniently into a narrow space or corner.
In years past, bedroom chests were built with short legs. In recent years, the trend is to build without legs and the unit sits flat on the floor. Regardless, a chest of drawers is usually either waist-high or shoulder-high.
The waist-high bedroom chest is sometimes referred to as a "low boy," and it provides space for a mirror to be attached. With a mirror, it is also called a dresser.
The shoulder-high chest of drawers is sometimes called a "high boy," and it provides more drawers. This type of chest rarely has a mirror, and it is also known as a bureau.
Bottom drawers typically have deeper storage, while the higher drawers will be of medium depth. There may be a single, shallow top drawer or two side-by-side drawers, handy for storing smaller items such as jewelry.
In the United Kingdom, a Welsh dresser may have shelves above the drawers for displaying plates. This style, primarily used in the kitchen, is not seen as often in the United States.
Call (800) 617-0106 to learn how we can help.
A chest of drawers is one of the most useful and efficient pieces of furniture used in today's home. At AFA Stores, we offer a vast collection of chests of drawers to fit virtually any decorating scheme. Call (800) 617-0106 to learn how we can help.
A bedroom chest is traditionally used for storing clothing, but it is equally useful for any small items you don’t want to display. They can also be used in any room of your home. For example, chests of drawers are frequently used in or near a bathroom for storing towels and linens, while many carpenters find that a chest of drawers is perfect for their shop.
History The chest of drawers, as we know it today, was first developed in the mid-1600s. It evolved from the long, low seaman's chest that was popular in homes at that time. The seaman’s chest had a top lid concealing a single, deep storage space, and was typically used for longer-term or seasonal storage. In today's bedroom chests, the large bottom drawers serve the same purpose.
Styles Bedroom chests are most commonly constructed of wood, such as walnut or white oak. Consumers seeking a rich look and feel love cherry and red oak. Painted or stained chests of drawers are also popular, and are available in a wide range of colors. You can even purchase an unfinished chest of drawers and stain or paint it to your personal taste. Chest styles run the gamut from very plain to highly ornate.
Since the drawers are accessed from the front, the backside of a bedroom chest is generally placed against the wall. The average width is 60 inches, but dimensions vary dramatically. A lingerie chest is a slim design available in widths of 15 to 18 inches. This type of chest can slip conveniently into a narrow space or corner.
In years past, bedroom chests were built with short legs. In recent years, the trend is to build without legs and the unit sits flat on the floor. Regardless, a chest of drawers is usually either waist-high or shoulder-high.
The waist-high bedroom chest is sometimes referred to as a "low boy," and it provides space for a mirror to be attached. With a mirror, it is also called a dresser.
The shoulder-high chest of drawers is sometimes called a "high boy," and it provides more drawers. This type of chest rarely has a mirror, and it is also known as a bureau.
Bottom drawers typically have deeper storage, while the higher drawers will be of medium depth. There may be a single, shallow top drawer or two side-by-side drawers, handy for storing smaller items such as jewelry.
In the United Kingdom, a Welsh dresser may have shelves above the drawers for displaying plates. This style, primarily used in the kitchen, is not seen as often in the United States.
Call (800) 617-0106 to learn how we can help.
