At a Glance:
Think Creatively: Furniture Repurposing
Keep the Bathroom Tidy with a Chest of Drawers
Create Division in the Bedroom
A Chest of Drawers Doubles as a Bedroom TV Stand
Give the Rec Room Extra Storage
Use a Chest of Drawers for Shoe Storage
A chest of drawers isn’t just a bedroom staple—it’s a versatile piece of furniture that can enhance the functionality and style of your home. You might think the best way to use a chest of drawers is in a bedroom for clothing storage, but its compact and vertical design makes it perfect for creative applications in bathrooms, living spaces, and even foyers. Whether you’re looking to tidy up a cluttered room, introduce unique décor, or simply make better use of your space, these chest of drawers ideas offer endless possibilities. Here are six inspiring ways to incorporate this classic piece into your home, along with tips for choosing the right one.
Discover the Best Bedroom Chest Deals
Think outside of the box with stylish chest of drawers to help solve all your home storage and organization needs.
Shop Chest of DrawersThink Creatively: Furniture Repurposing
Looking for creative furniture ideas and clever furniture tips? Perhaps the solution to your storage problem lies in a furniture piece you already own or could affordably add to your home—the humble chest of drawers. This versatile piece of furniture is good for more than storing your sweaters. Here, we’ll explain how you can use it to:
- Keep the bathroom tidy
- Create division in the bedroom
- Double as a TV stand
- Provide rec room storage
- Bring the coffee bar home
- Store shoes
These chest of drawers repurpose ideas will inspire you to see this familiar furniture piece from a whole new angle.
Keep the Bathroom Tidy with a Chest of Drawers
A chest of drawers can be a game changer for organizing larger bathrooms. It provides a stylish solution for storing towels, toiletries, and even decorative items like candles or potted plants. Taller, slimmer chests work best in bathrooms, as they maximize storage without taking up valuable floor space. Typically, a chest of drawers measures around 42 to 60 inches high, 18-24 inches wide, and 14-18 inches deep. You could even buy chest of drawers with the intention of turning it into a custom vanity.
To make the most of the storage, keep frequently used items like washcloths and toiletries in the upper drawers for easy access. Use lower drawers for bulkier or less-used items, like spare toilet paper or extra hand towels. Opt for water-resistant finishes or paint the chest in moisture-friendly colors like soft blues, whites, or greys to complement the bathroom aesthetic.
Hack Your Bathroom with the Signature Design by Ashley Coltner Black Accent Chest
Shop This Signature Design by Ashley Chest
This low chest of drawers is just over 32 inches tall, with a width of 42 inches and a depth of 18 inches. It would work well in a spacious primary bathroom or as a custom vanity. We love the elegant traditional look. The dark wood exudes sophistication, while the beveled counter, curved legs, and curved drawer fronts and sides give a timeless, feminine feel. Three large drawers offer plenty of storage for all your toiletries.
Create Division in the Bedroom
Our next two bedroom chest of drawers decorating ideas show how a chest of drawers can transform your layout or do double duty as a storage unit and TV stand.
In kids’ bedrooms, personal space can be a prized commodity, and a chest of drawers can serve as a functional divider. Use it to separate twin beds or desks—or even to create a private nook for reading by using the chest as a line of division. This setup not only gives each child their own space but also adds additional storage.
To make it personal, customize the drawers with contact paper on the interiors or attach name tags or decals to the drawer fronts. This adds a playful touch and encourages kids to stay organized. A tall chest of drawers, standing about 54 inches high, is ideal for dividing spaces while maintaining visibility in the room.
Hack Kids’ Bedrooms with the Liberty Furniture Summer House I Oyster White Lingerie Chest
Shop This Liberty Furniture Chest
This white chest of drawers pairs well with a set of white youth furniture. We love the simple traditional look, which blends with a variety of design styles and color palettes. The small drawers are perfect for trinkets, socks, and other small items, whereas the bottom two drawers can fit slightly larger items. You could even use the entire chest for arts and crafts supplies and hobbies your child loves to help them stay organized.
Learn more: Ultimate Bedroom Dresser Guide: Home Decor
A Chest of Drawers Doubles as a Bedroom TV Stand
If you enjoy watching TV in bed, consider using a chest of drawers as a TV stand. Unlike a traditional dresser, a chest of drawers offers more vertical storage, which means you can keep the bedroom tidy without sacrificing surface space. The elevated height of most chests also positions the TV at an optimal viewing level, making your setup more ergonomic.
Store remotes, streaming devices, and other accessories in the drawers to keep everything organized. You could even drill holes in the back for cord management. This dual-purpose use is especially helpful in smaller bedrooms, where maximizing both function and style is essential.
Hack Your Bedroom with the Flexsteel Plymouth Distressed Graywash Drawer Chest
This tall skinny chest of drawers is ideal for a rustic and inviting bedroom design. There is plenty of storage, with four small drawers and four large drawers, and its height is ideal for TV viewing. We love the attention to detail—from the graywash finish to the bun feet and circular drawer pulls. Whether you prefer an elegant traditional aesthetic or a cozier rustic one, this chest of drawers can fit into your design plan.
Give the Rec Room Extra Storage
Recreation rooms are often packed with games, electronics, and other odds and ends that need a dedicated space. A chest of drawers is an excellent solution, offering tall, compact storage that doesn’t take up too much square footage.
Use the drawers to neatly organize gaming consoles, controllers, movies, wires, and board games. You can even dedicate a drawer to snacks for movie nights! Choose a chest with a durable finish that can handle the hustle and bustle of a high-traffic area. Darker tones or wood grains work well in rec rooms to maintain a cozy and relaxed vibe.
Hack Your Rec Room with the American Drew Encore Profile Sable Chest
This dark wooden chest of drawers is a classic piece that works well with a variety of design styles. It provides function and sleek style without demanding attention. The small drawers are ideal for hiding away clutter, while the larger drawers can be used for game, book, or toy storage. Thanks to its narrow build, it fits into most layouts, providing the extra storage your rec room needs.
Bring the Coffee Bar Home
For coffee lovers, a chest of drawers can be transformed into a chic and functional coffee bar. Shorter, skinnier chests with multiple drawers are perfect for the job. Use the smaller top drawers to store coffee pods, tea bags, utensils, napkins, or spices. Larger drawers below can hold mugs, plates, and even bottles of syrup or bags of coffee beans.
Look for a chest with a stone or easy-to-clean surface to accommodate spills and splashes (a marble top chest of drawers like our pick below is ideal). Place your coffee maker, grinder, and a few decorative items on top to create an inviting setup. This idea works wonderfully in dining areas, kitchens, or even living rooms as a unique conversation piece.
Hack Your Home Coffee Bar with the Pulaski Ashby Place Reflection Gray Bachelor’s Chest
This creative chest of drawers instantly infuses style into your space with its calming color, simple silhouette, and X-shaped metal base. If you love hosting friends and family or simply starting your day with a quality cup of coffee, this is the perfect way to bring the tastes of your favorite coffee shop to the comfort of your own home. Stock up on a variety of coffee blends and utensils in the upper, skinnier drawer, while the lower storage provides the room for coffee syrups, cups, and platters.
Use a Chest of Drawers for Shoe Storage
Next, let’s consider chest of drawers decorating ideas for the entryway. Or, if you have a small entryway that needs elevating, add this to the list of chest of drawers living room ideas. A tall, slim chest of drawers is a convenient spot for shoe storage, whether in the foyer or the living room. Assign each family member a drawer where they can store their shoes, gloves, hats, or other personal items upon arriving home. This not only keeps the area organized but also reduces clutter in other parts of the house.
For added flair, use labeled or color-coded drawers to make the system easy for everyone to follow. Light wood tones or painted finishes in neutral shades like white or beige blend seamlessly with most entryway décor.
Hack Your Entryway with the Progressive Furniture Strategy Jute Chest
Shop This Progressive Furniture Chest
This MCM chest of drawers is understated and sleek, epitomizing the functional practicality and elegance of chest of drawers in general. Five drawers offer ample storage, while the narrow silhouette means you can easily tuck away this gem wherever it fits. For the most bang for the buck with this trick, invest in drawer dividers to better organize your shoes.
More About Chest of Drawers
As you consider using these chest of drawers design ideas in your own home, here’s a little more background on the chest of drawers.
How They Differ from Dressers
What’s the difference between a dresser vs chest of drawers? While dressers are typically wider and shorter, chests of drawers are taller and narrower. A standard dresser often features six to nine horizontal drawers, while a chest usually has five to six stacked vertically. This design makes chests better suited for tight spaces or rooms with limited floor area, which is why we recommend a chest over a dresser if you’re looking for a storage hack with limited space.
Best Spaces for Chests of Drawers
As our ideas for chest of drawers show, chests are ideal for bathrooms, entryways, or as dividers in multifunctional spaces. Dressers, on the other hand, are best suited for bedrooms where a lower, wider piece can double as a surface for décor or a TV.
Comparing Prices
Chests of drawers are typically priced lower than dressers due to their compact design and fewer materials used. While the mid-price range for dressers may span from $300 to $2,000, a chest of drawers typically costs between $200 and $1,000, making them a budget-friendly option for versatile storage.
Learn more: 7 Favorite Mid Century Modern Dressers
All it takes is a smidge of inspiration to reimagine something as simple as a chest of drawers in a completely new way. Of course, how you use one is up to you, whether it’s in the bedroom, living room, or any other space of the home. Wherever creativity strikes, Colder’s is here to help you bring the vision alive with a fine selection of bedroom furniture. Visit one of our Milwaukee furniture stores today to learn more!
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
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Shop Chest of Drawers at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop bedroom furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you explore creative, new ways to use a chest of drawers whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: Bedroom Furniture Buying Guide