Dressers in a modern interior +75 photo of examples
The great-grandfather of a modern chest of drawers was an ordinary chest. This piece of furniture was considered universal: it can be put at home or transported together with the belongings. But things had to be packed in layers in the chest, and the larger and higher it was, the more difficult it became to get to the bottom. In order to get something “at the bottom”, I had to install a special step, which we climbed to bend over the wall was more convenient. First, legs began to be fitted to the chest.
The furniture began to look more noble, it was easier to move and cleaning under the heavy “storage of things” no longer caused difficulties. Unfortunately, it was still problematic to get to the “lower layers” in such a tall “box”, therefore, the equipment of the chest underwent dramatic changes: drawers were installed in it, and the lid was completely removed. The chest of drawers first appeared in the 17th century and has since been practically unchanged.The name comes from the French "commodite", which translates as "convenience."
It was really convenient, as it allowed to systematize things and properly organize storage space. Dressers began to make everywhere. The only material in those days was wood. The item of furniture was no longer considered solely as a storage container for clothes. It began to add small things, jewelry and cosmetics. Gradually, dressers became more and more elegant: twisted legs were in harmony with the thread coated with varnish.
In the "Napoleonic" era, they began to produce a folding version, which was compactly assembled, which allowed to carry things with you. These chests of drawers featured a modest design and were ideal for harsh military people. In the Soviet Union, this piece of furniture was popular in the form of a combined model called a wardrobe. A niche has been added to the standard drawers for hanging things. Nowadays, both standard models and those combined with other pieces of furniture are popular.
The role of a chest of drawers in a modern interior
A few decades ago, a chest of drawers was considered an outdated model that is a thing of the past and can only appear in a classic interior. But fashion is a capricious lady, and as it usually happens, the forgotten old was accepted with stormy applause as the new. Dressers in the interior are used everywhere. Here, their versatility comes to the fore. The item will be appropriate in any room: it can be put in the bedroom, bathroom, hallway, nursery, hall and even the kitchen.
Subject to the unity of style, the chest of drawers will only decorate the interior.And this piece of furniture is “friends” with many design trends from high-tech modern style to antique classics. It doesn’t matter whether the dresser is a stylish decoration from an expensive furniture boutique or old "grandmother" furniture, which is decorated with your own hands. The main thing is that he echoes the general picture of the interior and does not look alien in the room. In small-sized apartments, high cupboards are still preferred, but spacious rooms have long abandoned the outdated “walls”, relying on small and original furniture.
Functionality and Design
The chest of drawers combines two functional platforms: a countertop (top cover) and shelves for storing things. On top put TVs, other household appliances, mirrors, lamps, potted plants or decor items. There are four main types of chests of drawers:
View
Storage options
Classical
Only with drawers.
With niches
They have shelves both open and closed.
Combined
Swing facades are adjacent to the drawers.
With add-ons
Additional shelves are installed on the top cover.
Designers offer interesting ideas for furniture design: the abundance of shelves and their varieties, allow you to experiment in any way.
Materials of manufacture
At the moment, the most popular is particleboard. A furniture case is made from it, and the facade is created from a more expensive MDF. The latter can be matte, glossy, smooth or embossed. Wood is used in more expensive models, quite often to order for ready-made design. Plastic dressers are the most economical option, which costs a penny, but also does not differ in strength in operation.
Such models are popular for bathrooms or pantries, where they will not be very noticeable. If the whole structure is made of wood or chipboard, the doors are often experimented with using non-standard materials.This includes all 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 pattern.
Colors and shades
Still, preference is given to natural “woody” tones:
Brown;
The black;
Gray;
Beige;
Red.
Indeed, in the classic version, the chest of drawers is a product made of natural wood. True, this does not stop designers from departing from the old canons and experimenting not only with dimensions, texture and functional "filling", but also with color. Bright lacquered blue, green and yellow chests of drawers will fit well in eclecticism, fusion or retro of the 80s. They can become not only the original part of the interior, but also the decorative center of the room.
How to use a chest of drawers
The chest of drawers is used as a storage of necessary things: clothes, kitchen utensils, detergents or even products. Use depends on the placement. For example, in the kitchen you can put dishes and pans into it if you previously install special holders for these items. Towels or a set of detergents, fabric softeners, supplies of soap, shampoos, washcloths, sponges and other small things are well placed in the bathroom in the chest of drawers. Let's try to figure out what can be packed in this store, and what functional load it carries in each of the rooms.
In the living room
The chest of drawers in the living room is installed not only close to the wall, but also behind the back of the sofa or under a high rack. It can act as a delimiter of space, a dividing strip in spacious halls or in combined rooms. It is important not only to choose a dresser for the general style and place it correctly, but also correctly design the top cover. If he stands behind the sofa, then the free countertop can be used as a work or dining area.
When there are already special areas for these purposes, it’s nice to put a lamp, a bulky vase of flowers or “multi-sized” figurines on the surface. Under the wall, the chest of drawers is necessarily complemented by some element of decor from above, so that the space above it does not look lonely and empty. It can be a picture, a collage of photos, a set of non-standard lighting fixtures or a simple mirror.
Long dressers in small living rooms are best avoided. Such an interior item will fit well only in large rooms, where it will look appropriate. If you really want to put a chest of drawers, but space does not allow, then choose a narrow model for yourself. There will be less storage space, but no one will cling to the corners or constantly make their way under the “wall” between the furniture.
In the bedroom
The bedroom is a place of solitude and relaxation, which does not recognize unnecessary details. Comfort here is achieved with the help of neat furniture, which uses a minimum, and a few decorative touches. Dressers in the sleeping room are usually used for storing cosmetic details and bedding. A mirror is traditionally installed above them. Depending on the style, it can be oval with a carved frame or a strict rectangular shape with a metal frame. Colors are often chosen from pastel colors:
Beige;
Delicate pink;
Light blue;
Soft gray.
Often, under the chest of drawers, a special hollow niche is installed, which allows you to sit comfortably on a stool and “turn” in front of a mirror, performing nightly cosmetic procedures. A lamp, photographs or fresh flowers are often placed on the top cover to “domesticate” the situation.
In our country, chests of drawers in the bedrooms are installed against the wall, and the bedside version was rarely seen before. For these purposes, special miniature nightstands with lamps on the lids are used,but in the West this method of placement is still popular. Moreover, dressers are installed in pairs: two twins on both sides of the bed.
In the nursery
In the children's room, chests of drawers are combined with a changing table or crib. This option is convenient and practical. The combination allows you to save space, which is suitable for small and cramped rooms. If the children are older, then it is used to store numerous toys and things. In colors, focus on bright shades of blue, green, yellow. It is better to refuse red and black, since an extra “load” on the eyes in this room is useless.
Chest of drawers for the kitchen
Quite often, a chest of drawers is already included in the kitchen set, but we will consider independent furniture, which will additionally decorate the room. High structures can serve as a bar, so the countertop is usually not loaded with foreign objects, but leaves room for a comfortable pastime for guests. Particularly popular were kitchen dressers with add-ons in the form of open shelves.
If all the utensils for cooking can be hidden in the lower boxes, then on the top there are jars of spices and other containers with products for cooking. "Grandfathers" of such chests of drawers were in almost every village house in the mid-fifties. Such old models can be found now. Given the fashion for such antiques, it’s enough to simply refresh their appearance and they will fit perfectly into the kitchen retro.
Surprisingly, chests of drawers are even used for storing foods that do not need cold. Onions, carrots or potatoes are placed in special shelves that are equipped with dividing walls. Interesting models with wicker boxes that simulate baskets. Such options look beautiful in a rustic style or provence.
In the hall
The chest of drawers in the hallway is not a luxury, but a necessity.If the owners decided to abandon the standard headsets with a hanger and a cabinet in the kit, then special models for storing shoes will come to their aid. Some of their shelves have a normal look, and the other half is equipped with a special inclined mechanism that rotates when opened and allows you to comfortably place shoes and sneakers.
Mirrors, paintings, miniature “hangers” for keys are hung above the chest of drawers. The original hanging model “without legs” will look beautiful in a modern hallway with clear geometry and strict color scheme. Unusual options with a seat in the middle or side that combine two functions: storage of gloves, bags, shoes and support for shoes.
In the bathroom
The size of the bathroom usually leaves much to be desired, so "tamping" the necessary minimum in them is quite difficult. Dressers are placed away from the sink near the free wall, and open or closed shelves are hung above them. All household small things are put in storage, for which special shelves are created with metal holders inside. In modern combined versions, the sink is built into the chest of drawers or "put" on it, if it has the form of a deep plate. Ultra-narrow models are placed even in cramped toilet rooms. They hold stocks of paper and air fresheners.
How to choose a chest of drawers
When choosing a chest of drawers, focus on three aspects:
The size;
Style;
Material.
The “price-quality” ratio remains an indisputable truth, but modern practical materials allow saving without tangible damage to the operating life. Naturally, in a bedroom with expensive antique furniture in a classic style, a chest of drawers made of chipboard will look ridiculous and cheap, but it is quite suitable for less sophisticated options.
By the way, between chipboard and MDF, make a choice in the direction of the second. The glue that is used in the first embodiment can be toxic and unhealthy.As for the sizes, then make the appropriate measurements before buying. The location of the item of furniture is determined in advance at the design stage. Style determines the dimensions, the complete set of shelves, color, texture and decorative elements. A simple brown chest of drawers with wooden handles on the drawers will drown in the cold atmosphere of modernity or minimalism. The combination of styles in detail is only suitable for a whacky eclecticism or a motley fusion. In other directions, the rules are more demanding, so you will have to pick up a chest of drawers for the rest of the furniture.
DIY dresser decor options
It is quite realistic 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 the varnish, paint, brush and proceed with the update.
If you have a talent for the art of painting, then applying several layers of paint can not be limited to reproducing the original pattern or drawing. The ornament is duplicated using a stencil. For high models, the creation of a gradient effect is suitable: a smooth transition from white on the top box to dark blue on the bottom with a blue in the middle. In understated models, it makes sense to decorate the countertop, which is paid attention to because of the height. They glue it with gift paper or resort to decoupage technique. The method of gluing furniture raises many questions. Two ways:
Buy special murals for the size of the chest of drawers.
Find a high-quality picture yourself and contact a special company that prints pictures on sticky "media".
When gluing, watch for the air bubbles that are formed, they must be disposed of. In construction stores, rosettes made of polyurethane foam or polystyrene are sold (the first is preferable), which imitate antique stucco molding.They are painted in the desired color and attached to the dresser. The doors can be glued with a bright fabric with a beautiful pattern. It is attached to double-sided tape. This chest of drawers looks like a real designer item.
Conclusion
Dressers can be large, small and narrow, rough, neat, elegant, bright, elegant or pretentious. This furniture, like any other, can adapt to the atmosphere of the interior. In some rooms it is vitally necessary, while in others it will become a rather extraordinary design move. It is impossible to imagine a dressing room, a large storage of things without one or even several chests of drawers that will help to systematize the entire mess.
Similarly, in the bathroom it’s hard to find another place to store towels and bulky bags of powders and detergents. But the kitchen has long survived this piece of furniture, replacing it with a solid set, in which the chest of drawers seems to be there, but only as part of a multifunctional furniture “array”.
In the living room, there is also no urgent need for it. This is a convenient TV shelf, but they also found a replacement in the form of a special niche in the wall. Be that as it may, chests of drawers are not lost in modern furniture variety. They did not repeat the fate of their “ancestor” - a chest from which only “decorative memories” remained. Designers grasped tenaciously at this furniture unit and develop models that fit not only into classics, but also keep up to date, reflecting new fashion trends.
The great-grandfather of a modern chest of drawers was an ordinary chest. This piece of furniture was considered universal: it can be put at home or transported together with the belongings. But things had to be packed in layers in the chest, and the larger and higher it was, the more difficult it became to get to the bottom. In order to get something “at the bottom”, I had to install a special step, which we climbed to bend over the wall was more convenient. First, legs began to be fitted to the chest.
The furniture began to look more noble, it was easier to move and cleaning under the heavy “storage of things” no longer caused difficulties. Unfortunately, it was still problematic to get to the “lower layers” in such a tall “box”, therefore, the equipment of the chest underwent dramatic changes: drawers were installed in it, and the lid was completely removed. The chest of drawers first appeared in the 17th century and has since been practically unchanged.The name comes from the French "commodite", which translates as "convenience."
It was really convenient, as it allowed to systematize things and properly organize storage space. Dressers began to make everywhere. The only material in those days was wood. The item of furniture was no longer considered solely as a storage container for clothes. It began to add small things, jewelry and cosmetics. Gradually, dressers became more and more elegant: twisted legs were in harmony with the thread coated with varnish.
In the "Napoleonic" era, they began to produce a folding version, which was compactly assembled, which allowed to carry things with you. These chests of drawers featured a modest design and were ideal for harsh military people. In the Soviet Union, this piece of furniture was popular in the form of a combined model called a wardrobe. A niche has been added to the standard drawers for hanging things. Nowadays, both standard models and those combined with other pieces of furniture are popular.
Content
The role of a chest of drawers in a modern interior
A few decades ago, a chest of drawers was considered an outdated model that is a thing of the past and can only appear in a classic interior. But fashion is a capricious lady, and as it usually happens, the forgotten old was accepted with stormy applause as the new. Dressers in the interior are used everywhere. Here, their versatility comes to the fore. The item will be appropriate in any room: it can be put in the bedroom, bathroom, hallway, nursery, hall and even the kitchen.
Subject to the unity of style, the chest of drawers will only decorate the interior.And this piece of furniture is “friends” with many design trends from high-tech modern style to antique classics. It doesn’t matter whether the dresser is a stylish decoration from an expensive furniture boutique or old "grandmother" furniture, which is decorated with your own hands. The main thing is that he echoes the general picture of the interior and does not look alien in the room. In small-sized apartments, high cupboards are still preferred, but spacious rooms have long abandoned the outdated “walls”, relying on small and original furniture.
Functionality and Design
The chest of drawers combines two functional platforms: a countertop (top cover) and shelves for storing things. On top put TVs, other household appliances, mirrors, lamps, potted plants or decor items. There are four main types of chests of drawers:
Designers offer interesting ideas for furniture design: the abundance of shelves and their varieties, allow you to experiment in any way.
Materials of manufacture
At the moment, the most popular is particleboard. A furniture case is made from it, and the facade is created from a more expensive MDF. The latter can be matte, glossy, smooth or embossed. Wood is used in more expensive models, quite often to order for ready-made design. Plastic dressers are the most economical option, which costs a penny, but also does not differ in strength in operation.
Such models are popular for bathrooms or pantries, where they will not be very noticeable. If the whole structure is made of wood or chipboard, the doors are often experimented with using non-standard materials.This includes all 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 pattern.
Colors and shades
Still, preference is given to natural “woody” tones:
Indeed, in the classic version, the chest of drawers is a product made of natural wood. True, this does not stop designers from departing from the old canons and experimenting not only with dimensions, texture and functional "filling", but also with color. Bright lacquered blue, green and yellow chests of drawers will fit well in eclecticism, fusion or retro of the 80s. They can become not only the original part of the interior, but also the decorative center of the room.
How to use a chest of drawers
The chest of drawers is used as a storage of necessary things: clothes, kitchen utensils, detergents or even products. Use depends on the placement. For example, in the kitchen you can put dishes and pans into it if you previously install special holders for these items. Towels or a set of detergents, fabric softeners, supplies of soap, shampoos, washcloths, sponges and other small things are well placed in the bathroom in the chest of drawers. Let's try to figure out what can be packed in this store, and what functional load it carries in each of the rooms.
In the living room
The chest of drawers in the living room is installed not only close to the wall, but also behind the back of the sofa or under a high rack. It can act as a delimiter of space, a dividing strip in spacious halls or in combined rooms. It is important not only to choose a dresser for the general style and place it correctly, but also correctly design the top cover. If he stands behind the sofa, then the free countertop can be used as a work or dining area.
When there are already special areas for these purposes, it’s nice to put a lamp, a bulky vase of flowers or “multi-sized” figurines on the surface. Under the wall, the chest of drawers is necessarily complemented by some element of decor from above, so that the space above it does not look lonely and empty. It can be a picture, a collage of photos, a set of non-standard lighting fixtures or a simple mirror.
In the bedroom
The bedroom is a place of solitude and relaxation, which does not recognize unnecessary details. Comfort here is achieved with the help of neat furniture, which uses a minimum, and a few decorative touches. Dressers in the sleeping room are usually used for storing cosmetic details and bedding. A mirror is traditionally installed above them. Depending on the style, it can be oval with a carved frame or a strict rectangular shape with a metal frame. Colors are often chosen from pastel colors:
Often, under the chest of drawers, a special hollow niche is installed, which allows you to sit comfortably on a stool and “turn” in front of a mirror, performing nightly cosmetic procedures. A lamp, photographs or fresh flowers are often placed on the top cover to “domesticate” the situation.
In the nursery
In the children's room, chests of drawers are combined with a changing table or crib. This option is convenient and practical. The combination allows you to save space, which is suitable for small and cramped rooms. If the children are older, then it is used to store numerous toys and things. In colors, focus on bright shades of blue, green, yellow. It is better to refuse red and black, since an extra “load” on the eyes in this room is useless.
Chest of drawers for the kitchen
Quite often, a chest of drawers is already included in the kitchen set, but we will consider independent furniture, which will additionally decorate the room. High structures can serve as a bar, so the countertop is usually not loaded with foreign objects, but leaves room for a comfortable pastime for guests. Particularly popular were kitchen dressers with add-ons in the form of open shelves.
If all the utensils for cooking can be hidden in the lower boxes, then on the top there are jars of spices and other containers with products for cooking. "Grandfathers" of such chests of drawers were in almost every village house in the mid-fifties. Such old models can be found now. Given the fashion for such antiques, it’s enough to simply refresh their appearance and they will fit perfectly into the kitchen retro.
In the hall
The chest of drawers in the hallway is not a luxury, but a necessity.If the owners decided to abandon the standard headsets with a hanger and a cabinet in the kit, then special models for storing shoes will come to their aid. Some of their shelves have a normal look, and the other half is equipped with a special inclined mechanism that rotates when opened and allows you to comfortably place shoes and sneakers.
Mirrors, paintings, miniature “hangers” for keys are hung above the chest of drawers. The original hanging model “without legs” will look beautiful in a modern hallway with clear geometry and strict color scheme. Unusual options with a seat in the middle or side that combine two functions: storage of gloves, bags, shoes and support for shoes.
In the bathroom
The size of the bathroom usually leaves much to be desired, so "tamping" the necessary minimum in them is quite difficult. Dressers are placed away from the sink near the free wall, and open or closed shelves are hung above them. All household small things are put in storage, for which special shelves are created with metal holders inside. In modern combined versions, the sink is built into the chest of drawers or "put" on it, if it has the form of a deep plate. Ultra-narrow models are placed even in cramped toilet rooms. They hold stocks of paper and air fresheners.
How to choose a chest of drawers
When choosing a chest of drawers, focus on three aspects:
The “price-quality” ratio remains an indisputable truth, but modern practical materials allow saving without tangible damage to the operating life. Naturally, in a bedroom with expensive antique furniture in a classic style, a chest of drawers made of chipboard will look ridiculous and cheap, but it is quite suitable for less sophisticated options.
By the way, between chipboard and MDF, make a choice in the direction of the second. The glue that is used in the first embodiment can be toxic and unhealthy.As for the sizes, then make the appropriate measurements before buying. The location of the item of furniture is determined in advance at the design stage. Style determines the dimensions, the complete set of shelves, color, texture and decorative elements. A simple brown chest of drawers with wooden handles on the drawers will drown in the cold atmosphere of modernity or minimalism. The combination of styles in detail is only suitable for a whacky eclecticism or a motley fusion. In other directions, the rules are more demanding, so you will have to pick up a chest of drawers for the rest of the furniture.
DIY dresser decor options
It is quite realistic 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 the varnish, paint, brush and proceed with the update.
If you have a talent for the art of painting, then applying several layers of paint can not be limited to reproducing the original pattern or drawing. The ornament is duplicated using a stencil. For high models, the creation of a gradient effect is suitable: a smooth transition from white on the top box to dark blue on the bottom with a blue in the middle. In understated models, it makes sense to decorate the countertop, which is paid attention to because of the height. They glue it with gift paper or resort to decoupage technique. The method of gluing furniture raises many questions. Two ways:
When gluing, watch for the air bubbles that are formed, they must be disposed of. In construction stores, rosettes made of polyurethane foam or polystyrene are sold (the first is preferable), which imitate antique stucco molding.They are painted in the desired color and attached to the dresser. The doors can be glued with a bright fabric with a beautiful pattern. It is attached to double-sided tape. This chest of drawers looks like a real designer item.
Conclusion
Dressers can be large, small and narrow, rough, neat, elegant, bright, elegant or pretentious. This furniture, like any other, can adapt to the atmosphere of the interior. In some rooms it is vitally necessary, while in others it will become a rather extraordinary design move. It is impossible to imagine a dressing room, a large storage of things without one or even several chests of drawers that will help to systematize the entire mess.
Similarly, in the bathroom it’s hard to find another place to store towels and bulky bags of powders and detergents. But the kitchen has long survived this piece of furniture, replacing it with a solid set, in which the chest of drawers seems to be there, but only as part of a multifunctional furniture “array”.
In the living room, there is also no urgent need for it. This is a convenient TV shelf, but they also found a replacement in the form of a special niche in the wall. Be that as it may, chests of drawers are not lost in modern furniture variety. They did not repeat the fate of their “ancestor” - a chest from which only “decorative memories” remained. Designers grasped tenaciously at this furniture unit and develop models that fit not only into classics, but also keep up to date, reflecting new fashion trends.