Exploring the Several Uses of a Chest of Drawers

Uses of Chest of Drawers: Beyond Clothing Storage

The chest of drawers, while traditionally associated with the storage of folded clothing, is a hidden gem that has the potential to reimagine the way you organize your home. From the bedroom to the living room, home office, and even your porch, this versatile piece can be employed for a wide range of uses, adding style and functionality to your living spaces.

The Living Room

Relocating a chest of drawers from the bedroom to the living room can bring a refreshing touch of versatility. Acting as an end table or a console table, a small or long chest of drawers can add a chic touch to your space. Moreover, they can be used for storage, holding anything from board games and art supplies to books and electronic accessories. If you're in the mood for a little creativity, why not turn your chest into a home bar, complete with a drawer modified into a wine rack?

The Home Office or Work Room

As remote work becomes increasingly commonplace, there's a growing need for efficient home office spaces. A chest of drawers can be a great addition, acting as a stylish credenza for files and office supplies. With some modifications, it can even transform into a writing desk. For craft enthusiasts, the spacious drawers offer perfect storage for all your supplies, from gift wrap essentials to scrapbooking or painting materials. The options are limitless!

The Porch or Hallway

No one enjoys a cluttered entryway. Adding a chest of drawers can help declutter and bring an added level of functionality. Each family member could have their own dedicated drawer for homework, bills, tools, or electronics, while a decorative box on top serves as a convenient mail drop. Placed on a covered porch, a chest can even serve as a serving station and storage for grilling necessities.

The Bedroom

Though a chest of drawers is traditionally used for storing folded clothes, it can also double up as a bedside table or placed in a large closet for better organization of your accessories. Adding a chest at the foot of your bed can offer additional storage while a smaller chest in a guest room provides a personal space for your guest's belongings. For children's rooms, it can double as a fun toy box.

The Bathroom

A chest of drawers can bring a splash of style to your bathroom, serving as a linen storage or repurposed to hold a vessel or drop-in sink. When refurbishing a chest for a bathroom, make sure to use a water-resistant sealer and an anti-mildew coating to protect the wood. Dressers made specifically for bathroom use are often kiln-dried to prevent water damage.

The Kitchen or Dining Room

While the kitchen might seem like an unconventional place for a chest of drawers, its usefulness and charm cannot be overstated. It can serve as a buffet-style sideboard, a coffee station, or even as a unique kitchen island. A smaller chest in the dining room could provide a space for setting up a tea service or showcasing seasonal decorations.

Conclusion

The beauty of a chest of drawers lies in its versatility. Its uses go beyond the traditional role of storing clothes in the bedroom. As a functional, stylish piece of furniture, a chest of drawers can enhance and organize any room in your home. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless. Whether it's in the living room, home office, porch, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen, a chest of drawers is a worthy investment that can help you create a cleaner, more organized living space.

FAQ’s

Can you use a chest of drawers as a bedside table?

If your bedroom is spacious enough, use a dresser as a bedside table. This will provide more surface area for you to have two lamps and space for your knick-knacks.

How do you use a chest of drawers as a dressing table?

If you're grappling with limited room, your chest of drawers can be ingeniously repurposed as a functional dressing table. Simply mount a mirror on the top of the chest of drawers and utilize its built-in storage to accommodate your grooming accessories. This clever hack serves as an excellent space-saving solution.

Can I use a chest of drawers as an entry table?

In fact, you might want to reconsider the standard console table or sideboard for your entryway table and instead repurpose a bedroom dresser. One of my favorite no-cost ways to refresh the look of any space is to swap furniture between rooms.

Can you use a normal chest of drawers as a changing table?

Yes, a regular chest of drawers can be used as a changing table. I used a regular chest of drawers for both of my children, and I attached a changing mat to the top. The only significant difference between this setup and a traditional changing table is that the latter has slightly raised sides.

Can you use a dresser as a bookcase?

An emptied-out dresser can be easily transformed into a lovely bookshelf, perfect for a child's room. You can give it a new lease on life and purpose by applying a coat of attractive paint.

Can you use a dresser for a TV?

Many people are concerned with arranging their furniture to create a perfect and harmonious look. For others, functionality is more important than aesthetics. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether a dresser can be repurposed as a TV stand. The simple answer is yes, you can.

Can you use a dresser as a vanity?

Sure, you can repurpose a dresser as a vanity. Choose a dresser or buffet that fits well in your bathroom. The furniture should be very sturdy, preferably made of solid wood, to support the weight of a sink and faucet. (Remember that a sink becomes much heavier when filled with water.) Choose a drop-in sink that fits within the frame of the selected dresser or buffet.