Which chest of drawers should you choose to make your living room match the interior and style of your apartment? It would seem that a chest of drawers is a piece of furniture that should not be a problem at the purchasing stage. After all, it should have legs, drawers and everything when it comes to its attributes. A chest of drawers is not just a piece of furniture, it is a real highlight in living rooms.
Therefore, in several points we will tell you which chest of drawers to choose for the living room? What are the most important elements of a dresser to make it not only beautiful but also functional.
The chest of drawers is an aristocrat among furniture. Chest of drawers in a modern style.
The chest of drawers is a piece of furniture with traditions dating back to 17th century France. It is true that the chest of drawers in Louis XIV's bedroom at Versailles looked completely different from a modern piece of furniture.
Of course, André-Charles Boulle, a master and artist in the Baroque style, whom we can call the father of the chest of drawers, did not expect that the piece of furniture he created would last so many years and that it would perfectly appear in different eras and see many views and modifications by contemporary artists of a given era.
Types of chests of drawers for the living room
For the living room, traditional flooring products of a rectangular shape are often purchased. Such furniture is characterized by simplicity of design and ease of use. When choosing a model, you need to take into account the layout and area of the room.
There are other models that differ in design and installation method:
- Wall-mounted. Mounted in a hinged manner on the wall. They usually take up little space and do not interfere with floor cleaning. The optimal solution for small narrow spaces. Suitable for storing light items and documents.
- Attached. They are usually part of modular systems that include several headsets made in the same style. Linen and clothes are stored in such chests of drawers.
- Island. A stylish solution for spacious living rooms. The chest of drawers can be accessed from all sides. Often used for zoning space, placing household appliances and decor.
Mirror geometry
Photo: luxuryfurnituremr.com
The interior of your apartment is made in the style of American classics or art deco - pay attention to the chest of drawers with mirrors on the facade and ends. Due to the reflection of light, such a design visually dissolves in space, so it will look advantageous in narrow and small rooms. The mirror plates of this model are decorated with an interesting geometric finish - it not only acts as decoration, but also hides fingerprints left when the drawers are pulled out.
Shape and dimensions of the chest of drawers
Based on the form of execution, chests of drawers are classified into the following types:
- Rectangular. The most popular models. They can have different widths, heights and depths. Such chests of drawers are presented in the greatest variety of models.
- Square. They are shaped like bedside tables. They usually have compact dimensions. Can be used as island furniture.
- Angular. A good choice for small spaces. The corner of the room is usually empty; such a chest of drawers allows you to rationally use this space.
- Modular. The design consists of several sections, the position of which can be changed to suit your needs. Usually produced in a modern style.
- Non-standard models. They can have a round, oval or complex shape.
By size, chests of drawers are divided into the following types:
- Wide. The width is 1 m or more. The depth is usually 50-60 cm. Suitable for fairly large rooms. There are models of reduced depth - 40-50 cm.
- Narrow. The width usually does not exceed 30 cm. The optimal solution for storing documents and small items.
- Tall. Similar in shape to compact cabinets. The height is usually 130-150cm.
- Low. The height does not exceed 1 m, most often it is 85 cm. Such chests of drawers are often used as cabinets.
Materials for making a chest of drawers
Manufacturers use various materials to produce chests of drawers:
- Tree. The products are durable, environmentally friendly and durable. Often wooden chests of drawers are made according to individual projects. They are characterized by a relatively high cost.
- Chipboard. The most budget option, characterized by a relatively short service life.
- MDF. Significantly superior to chipboard in strength and durability. In appearance it can perfectly imitate wood, but has a more affordable price.
- Glass. It is used for the manufacture of individual structural elements: open shelves, mirror surfaces, display modules, etc.
- Plastic. As a rule, such chests of drawers are compact in size and affordable. Available in a wide variety of models. They are well suited for rooms with high humidity, but such products are usually rarely installed in living rooms.
Products that combine different materials look very attractive. For example, wood goes well with metal. Popular models are made from wood boards (chipboard and MDF) with plastic and glass inserts. The combination of different materials allows you to emphasize the design in a particular style.
Internal filling of the chest of drawers
The functionality of a chest of drawers directly depends on its internal contents. Classic models usually include several drawers installed in a vertical order.
Typically used to store clothes. The depth of the drawers varies in the range of 30-60 cm.
- More complex models may have both drawers and open shelves and sections with doors.
- The arrangement of individual storage systems can be symmetrical or arbitrary.
- For example, a large chest of drawers may have several drawers in the center, with open shelves around them.
- You should choose based on the purpose of the furniture. Drawers are suitable for linen, cosmetics, accessories, small appliances and similar products are more conveniently stored on open shelves.
- Based on your needs, you should also take into account the size of the sections, their number and the distance between them.
There are models that include only open sections. Such products are well suited for placing souvenirs, decorative elements, accessories and small equipment. Open chests of drawers are often produced in an antique design for classic interiors.
Furniture filling also includes handles, closers and other fittings. The chest of drawers can have both classic overhead handles and special grooves for gripping. There are chests of drawers that open when pressed.
Dresser on wheels
Photo: luxuryfurnituremr.com
If you are looking for a stylish storage system for your kitchen, an interesting Manufaktura chest of drawers from ETG-Home may suit you. It is compact and roomy - in convenient drawers of different sizes with original markings you can hide many different things and objects that often clutter up the useful kitchen space. The legs of the chest of drawers, made in the form of wheels, will allow you to easily move it around the kitchen so that everything you need is always at hand.
Design and colors of a chest of drawers for the living room
Similar to other furniture, chests of drawers are produced in a variety of stylistic directions. The most popular styles include:
- Minimalism. Models with geometrically correct shapes and straight lines, with virtually no decoration.
- Loft. The design is characterized by the imitation of unprocessed, rough, rough surfaces.
- High tech. Characterized by the presence of glass, metal and plastic parts, which can have both functional and decorative purposes. Possibly backlit.
- Provence. The design is dominated by smooth lines and rounded shapes. Ornaments and decorative carvings may be present. Often the furniture is light in color.
- Classic. Furniture is usually made from natural wood, has quite impressive dimensions and luxurious decor.
Depending on the stylistic direction, the chest of drawers can have either a single color or a combined color.
- Natural wood shades, as well as white, are good for classics.
- Soft tones of gray, black and white fit perfectly into hi-tech, loft and minimalism. Provence is characterized by a predominance of delicate pastel shades.
Color solutions and materials
When searching for a chest of drawers, you should pay special attention to the material from which it is made and the color scheme. A universal option for furniture is white, as this shade will fit perfectly into any style of the room. The classic interior is ideally complemented by black or brown furniture. Glossy metallic-colored models will fit into high-tech. Furniture made of wood in light shades looks very beautiful.
Wooden model
Many people prefer this material, since natural wood is safe, resistant to damage and beautiful. Very rarely, natural wood is additionally painted in a different color, so apartment residents can enjoy the natural texture. Products made from solid wood are additionally coated with varnish, which extends their service life. Cabinet furniture made of both cherry and oak will look beautiful in the interior of the living room.
MDF chest of drawers
MDF products will be a good alternative to natural wood. The cost of such a structure will be lower than that of a wooden one, and visually they are not much different. This material has an expressive structure and original design. Do not forget that MDF is afraid of moisture, so it is important to take this into account when using the structure. The service life of furniture is long, but less than that of natural wood.
Veneered chest of drawers
It is not uncommon for furniture made from chipboard to be additionally covered with veneer. Veneered products perfectly imitate the surface of natural wood. The chest of drawers is not afraid of moisture and does not delaminate during use. The light weight of the structure allows you to rearrange the living room at any time.
Mirror or with glass
Dressers made of tempered glass or mirrored ones will look very unusual in the design of any living room. Using these materials, it is possible to obtain unusual and stylish designs. Most often, glass and mirror models serve as decoration for the room and are used to store souvenirs and other decor. Models, complemented by lighting, are a real work of art.
Plastic
You can make a chest of drawers of any modification from plastic. The product is inexpensive, so everyone can buy it. The plastic model will look out of place in a classic interior, but will fit beautifully into high-tech and other modern styles. Living room structures of the most unusual shapes and designs are made from plastic.
Metal
Wooden chests of drawers, made of metal profiles or with bronze decoration, will beautifully complement the interior of the living room. The combination of wood and metal elements or forging will add zest to the interior. A product with metal elements will fit perfectly into the hi-tech and minimalist style.
Tips for choosing the best chest of drawers
When choosing a chest of drawers for the living room, you should first of all focus on individual needs. Classic models are popular due to their spaciousness.
But, as a rule, they have relatively large dimensions, so they are more appropriate in spacious rooms.
- It is important that, in terms of aesthetic parameters, the chest of drawers is harmoniously combined with the overall design of the interior.
- Therefore, when arranging a living room, they often buy modular systems that include all the main pieces of furniture, made in the same style.
- A chest of drawers can be an accent element in the interior, but it should not look too pretentious.
- The quality and practicality of materials should be taken into account. It is better to give preference to low-maintenance materials.
- Glossy surfaces require additional care using special products.
- Scratches quickly appear on the gloss, so this furniture is not suitable for families with small children and pets.
Particular attention should be paid to fittings. It must be reliable, easy to use and durable.
The mechanisms must ensure smooth movement of the drawers. When choosing, it is important to carefully examine the appearance for defects. A good chest of drawers is usually bought to last for many years, so it should be of the highest quality possible.
How to decorate a chest of drawers
To prevent the chest of drawers from looking lonely in the interior, hang a picture above it if it’s a living room or a mirror if it’s a hallway. But in both cases, you do not need to choose a hanging item that is too large or too small.
A chest of drawers under the TV is a good way to create an interior composition when you don’t want to decorate it. In this case, it will be ideal if the TV does not extend beyond the size of the chest of drawers.
In addition, you can decorate a chest of drawers in the interior using vases with flowers, a group of candles, small souvenirs and frames with postcards.
A bright chest of drawers in the interior, made using various colors, in itself becomes a decorating element, so there is no point in subjecting it to additional decoration.
