How to Choose the Right Chest of Drawers
When furnishing a bedroom, few pieces make as significant an impact as a well-chosen chest of drawers. This versatile piece of furniture not only provides essential storage but can also enhance your room’s aesthetic appeal. Paired with a stylish Mirror above, it creates a functional dressing area while adding depth and light to your space.
Understanding Your Space and Needs
Consider the room you are designing and exactly where the furniture will go. Also, how much storage do you think your space will require? Remember that if you have tall ceilings, you can go up with that great tall chest of drawers, but short ceilings need shorter, wider pieces. And don’t forget to make sure there is enough room around a mirror so you can step back and see yourself.
Materials and Construction
Good construction will be what keeps your storage piece for many years to come. Solid wood is always a great idea due to its inherent durability and also the always-classic beauty that never goes out of style, but other more modern manufactured materials can make excellent durability at a lesser expense. Look for smooth runners on the drawers and sturdy corner joints; these are indicators of superior craftsmanship.
Style and Design Elements
Your choice should respond to your current décor but should also address your functional needs. Traditional designs are usually decorated with ornate handles and carved work, whereas modern designs are more subtle, with bare lines and faint ornamentation. Above your chest of drawers, do the styles go? An antique mirror contrasts starkly with an ultra-modern piece, which messes up the bedroom aesthetic.
Size Issues
The ideal width depends on how much space and storage you are going to need, but a standard chest of drawers usually fits between 30 and 60 inches in width. Pay careful attention to depth: you want to allow for fully open drawers and comfortable circulation around the piece. Provide sufficient wall space above for a proportionally sized mirror so the whole thing remains visually balanced in the room.
Drawer Configuration
Different configurations fulfill different needs. Deep drawers really are useful for bulkier items like sweaters and jeans, while shallow drawers can be used for the smaller items like accessories and undergarments. Some pieces offer a mixture of both, providing versatile storage options.
Color and Finish Selection
Your choice of color and finish can really make or break the ambiance of your room. Light finishes create small rooms feel open and expansive. Dark tones are sophisticated and inviting. Consider how a light finish will bounce off of your mirror—these reflections can open up a small room or be used to suggest depth by reflecting objects in a space.
Practical Features
Look for features such as soft-close drawers that prevent slamming and wear on your furniture, built-in jewelry organizers, or lined drawers to protect fragile items. Some may be lockable, in case you have valuable items in the collection.
Maintenance and Care
Choose a finish to match your lifestyle in terms of maintenance. Some finishes are more prone to displaying prints and dust more easily than others. Consider how much you will spend making the maintenance, then choose. Don’t forget your mirror needs regular cleaning also if it is to be kept sparkling.
Conclusion
Spend as much time as you need to over your choices. Visit showrooms to see for yourself how the construction is and how drawers open and shut. Take room measurements and color samples so that you can be positive about the piece fitting both physically and aesthetically. Consider how your mirror and your chest of drawers work together to create a cohesive dressing area that does as much of your work as it possibly can while enhancing the appeal of your room.
