Proper bedroom storage is a must for organizing your belongings – and there’s no better storage solution than either a chest of drawers or a dresser. Though these two bedroom furnishings are often used interchangeably, there are key differences in a chest of drawers vs. a dresser that impact every home. In this guide, we’re breaking down these two storage items to help you make the right pick and complete your space.

What Is a Chest of Drawers?

One of the most distinguishable features of a chest of drawers compared to a dresser is its tall and narrow design. A chest of drawers is built to offer vertical storage and takes up less floor space thanks to its slender nature. These furnishings typically come with four to six lengthy drawers that are all the same size, though there are some designs that offer a mix of smaller drawers for variety in storage. With a flat surface on top of a chest of drawers, you can style the piece with your favorite home accents, picture frames, or flower vases.

The standard chest of drawers has the dimensions of 47.5'' H x 31.5'' W x 15.7'' D. These measurements make a chest of drawers a great option for bedrooms that have higher ceilings to keep the room visually balanced, or for rooms that need a slimmer option to conserve floor space. If you already have a dresser in the room but need more storage, adding in a chest of drawers is a great supplement since this furniture piece will not use a lot of space.

Tip!

Learn more about the types of dressers and chests from our guide: Guide to the Different Types of Dressers & Chests.

What Is a Dresser?

Unlike a chest of drawers, dresser drawers are more lengthy and short. A dresser is also deeper than a chest of drawers with drawer depth that can reach up to two feet deep. This type of furnishing is typically symmetrical with two rows of drawers that are the same size, though there are a few designs with one row of shorter drawers for storage variety. Similar to a chest of drawers, dressers come with a flat top that you can decorate, though there is one major difference in a dresser top: the matching mirror. Some dressers have a mirror with a matching frame you’re able to attach. If your dresser does not come with a mirror, its shorter stature leaves wall space to install one above the dresser.

The standard dresser comes with six drawers and has average dimensions of 33'' H x 52'' W x 19'' D. Their length and depth make them a popular pick for bedroom storage along with their height that doesn’t take up a lot of wall space if you’re not attaching a mirror. Dressers offer bedrooms a good amount of storage for clothes or other belongings since they come with six or more drawers.

Tip!

Cut the cost of your dresser even more with budget-friendly picks from our guide: Save on Storage With These 7 Dressers Under $100.

Chest of Drawers vs. Dresser: Which One Is Right for You?

Chest of drawers vs. a dresser, which one is right for your home? Before deciding, consider the amount of available space in your bedroom. If space is limited, then a chest of drawers will be the better pick since they’re slim and vertical. If you have a large bedroom with free space, a dresser might be more beneficial since they have more length and deeper drawers.

Enticed by the mirror? One factor to consider between a chest of drawers and a dresser is mirror compatibility. Dressers can be arranged with or without mirrors because of their height whereas a chest of drawers cannot. Since a chest of drawers is taller, a wall mirror would not serve much purpose since it would hang high up on the wall.

Due to a dresser’s longer and deeper dimensions (plus their mirror attachment), these furnishings will be more costly than a chest of drawers. If cost is a concern to you and you’re looking for a simple storage solution, you would benefit from a chest of drawers as a more budget-friendly option.

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Now that you know the differences in a chest of drawers vs dressers, it’s time to furnish your home!