From the classic dressers, highboys and lowboys used in Medieval Europe to the contemporary drawers found in most homes, the chest of drawers has always been a significant item of home furniture. It is almost impossible to be without this piece of furniture, with its multiple drawers stacked above each other. Chest of drawers are identified by their number of drawers and are often referred to as bureaus or dressers. For example, a bureau with two drawers is known as a two-drawer chest.
Traditionally, dressers were used to store undergarments, socks and similar items so that the garments could be accessed easily. Chest of drawers can be kept anywhere, and almost anything can be stored in them. They are particularly useful in bedrooms where a lot of storage is needed and they help keep clothes tidy and out of sight.
Various styles of chest of drawers with intricate designs were popular during Medieval times. The most noteworthy of these styles are the highboys and the lowboys. Highboys, also known as tallboys, have a double chest of drawers along with a wardrobe. Highboys can have up to seven long drawers and two short drawers and were widely used as wardrobes during the 18th century. The lowboy, as the name suggests, is a table with up to two drawers, and was also equally popular during the 18th century as a dressing table.
Today, chest of drawers are available in various types, and they can also be customized to suit your taste. They can often be assembled at home easily. You can add fancy varnishes and glass finishes for a more elegant-looking chest of drawers.
Modern drawer chests have five to seven drawers and are generally made of wood, though it is not uncommon to find chest of drawers made of other materials such as steel or chrome. They are available in different designs from a plain to a multi-coloured finish. All chests of drawers, characteristically, have a flat surface on top, which frequently allows items to be placed on the top. Many of these items of furniture are equipped with a large mirror, and hence make ideal dressing tables as well.
If you are assembling your own chest of drawers, there are still stylish designs available. If you are facing a space constraint, a chest of drawers is ideal as it offers as much storage space as a dresser but utilises only half the floor space.
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