9 tips for choosing a chest of drawers in the bedroom: material, style, size

Previously, in every house there should have been a chest; literally everything was kept in it, from clothes to kitchen utensils. Years passed, and it turned into a chest of drawers, a much more convenient product from the point of view of storing things, a hybrid of a chest and a wardrobe. Chests are placed in living rooms, and in hallways, and even in bathrooms, but most often this piece of furniture finds a place in the bedroom, where it can take on several functions at once. We have prepared a real chest of drawers encyclopedia for you and are in a hurry to tell you how to choose a chest of drawers in the bedroom so that it fits perfectly in size, color, style and content.

The chest of drawers is not considered a basic necessity in the bedroom, but in some cases it is difficult to do without it. Where to fold bedding, clothes, accessories, discs, books and other little things? However, this convenient chest heir may in some cases serve stand under the tvdressing table, bedside table, a changing table and even an ironing board - you just need to know what to look for.

No. 1. What size should a chest of drawers be?

It is extremely clear to any of us that the chest of drawers should not only fit in the bedroom, but at the same time should not impede the free movement of the room. It is important that there is room for extension of the drawers. If the space is small, and it is already located double bed and bulky closet, then a place for a chest of drawers will be problematic to find. However, if it really is necessary, then there are very miniature models for sale. The main principle that should be followed is proportionality of the bedroom and the chest of drawers.

The smaller the room, the more carefully you need to approach taking measurements. First you need to arm yourself with a tape measure and measure the parameters of the space allocated for the dresser. We remember and go to the store all with the same tape measure. It will be necessary to take measurements from the dresser when all the drawers are closed and when they are pulled out and the doors are open. Measurement is carried out from the edge of the back wall to the edge of the open drawers. By the way, if the bedroom has skirting board, then do not forget to take into account its thickness when taking measurements.

The size of the chest also depends on its purpose.. If you keep small things like cosmetics and disks, then you can take the most miniature model. For a convenient arrangement of linen, a more spacious chest of drawers will be required.

The parameters of dressers vary widely:

• height It is at least 85 cm and rarely more than 160 cm. Dressers with a height of 85 cm - this is the very minimum, smaller - already cabinets. They hold a few things, but can be used as a bedside table. The standard is considered to be a height of 120 cm. In this case, the countertop can be used for arranging photos, souvenirs, installing a TV, and in some models also for ironing things. Chests above 130 cm are rare, but there are products up to 160 cm high. They can store a lot of things, but the tabletop can only be used for location lamp;
• length Depends on the number and configuration of boxes. Chests less than 50 cm long are uncomfortable, the optimal length is 90-130 cm.Models longer than 200 cm are mainly modular products and are appropriate only in very spacious bedrooms;
• optimal depth - 50 cm. If more, then using the drawers will be inconvenient, less - you will not be able to fold the laundry. However, dressers are made of dressers with a depth of 30 cm, but deciding on such a purchase, keep in mind that the useful depth will be even less, since it is necessary to take away the thickness of the back wall.

Designers advise choosing low dressers for low bedrooms and vice versa. Thus, you can make the space more harmonious.

No. 2. Determined with the type and shape of the dresser

The appearance, shape and purpose of the chest of drawers are inseparable and dependent on each other. The choice of form depends on the style of the interior and the place where the product will be located. Chests are shaped:

• rectangular. These are traditional chests of drawers that are most convenient to use and are in maximum demand;
• corner dressers can be L-shaped, trapezoidal, five-walled, have the form of a segment of a circle - there are many variations. The main thing is that such models are great for small bedrooms and allow the use of corners that often remain empty;
• radius dressers with curved shapes can be semicircular or include convex and concave parts. Such products look original, but do not fit into all bedrooms - a place and an appropriate interior are required. We should also mention round chests of drawers in which drawers can rotate relative to each other;
• designer dressers can be of any shape and are usually performed to order.

In appearance and purpose, dressers are usually divided into:

• long dressers - a real classic. They can even replace a small wardrobe. Great for a bedroom;
• chest of drawers more reminiscent of a sideboard, can serve to store beautiful dishes and is usually used in living rooms and dining rooms;
• chest of drawers with mirror, - A great option for the bedroom, as it takes on the function of a dressing table, especially if all the cosmetic items are placed in the upper drawer. A good option for small bedrooms;
• dresser with ironing board It is distinguished by the presence of a folding ironing board on top of the countertop. Convenient if every square meter counts;
• chest of drawers with changing table - A find for young parents. Such a product is characterized by the presence of sides on the countertop;
• chest of drawers can, if necessary, transform into a compact workplace. With a small bedroom, this is also a good option.

The impulse of design thought knows no bounds, so other transformer chests of drawers can also be found on sale.

No. 3. Dresser Material

Let's start with the banal mention that a person spends at least 8 hours in the bedroom, i.e. a third of the day, which means that the air in this room should be clean and healthy, and the furniture should be as safe as possible and not emit any toxic substances. Ideally, use eco-friendly natural wood, but there are other options.

Dressers are made of such materials:

• natural wood - The most durable, safe and aesthetic material. Wood allows you to receive products of any shape, it can be decorated with carvings. On the other hand, such chests of drawers are expensive and weigh a lot. Pine products will be the cheapest; chests of oak, walnut, and cherry will cost more. The best dresser for a bedroom in terms of price and quality is this one, which is made of pine, but veneered with more expensive wood;
• Particleboard and MDF - the main substitutes for wood, and the product from particleboard can be called generally budgetary, only this material can be toxic and emit hazardous formaldehyde. When buying, it is worth taking a look at the safety certificates and, more specifically, at the formaldehyde emission level: for residential premises, these are E0 and E1. MDF is a more durable and safe material.If the tree can not afford, it is better to take a chest of drawers from MDF. Both chipboard and MDF are laminated on top with a film imitating any material, or veneered (this is the preferred option). In terms of the variety of design and appearance, such chests of drawers have no equal;
• plastic rarely used to make dressers in the bedroom, this material is more suitable for bathrooms due to its resistance to moisture and hygiene;
• metal and glass usually combined with other materials, but if you look well, you can find a full metal chest of drawers. Such a product will not be appropriate in every bedroom. Dressers, where chromed metal and glass are used only as parts, will be appropriate in a modern interior.

Designer products may have some elements made of genuine leather or stone.

Number 4. Number and arrangement of boxes

Classic chest of drawers - several wide drawers located one above the other. Traditionally there are 4, but the number can vary from 2 to 5 or more. In many models instead of wide upper drawers make 2-3 narrower. There are chests of drawers where all drawers have different widths, in some the inner space of drawers divided into several parts by partitions for convenient storage of belts, ties, cosmetics. If you have things that need special protection from prying eyes, then you can look at the chest of drawers, where in one of the sections will be locked compartment.

Boxes of different sizes can be combined as you like, and their number can be many times the standard 4 sections. Despite the fact that the traditional design of the chest of drawers does not include doors, today there are models where it occupies part of the area shelves with doors. In any case, you need to choose the chest of drawers in which you can most conveniently place all things.

No. 5. Drawer mechanism

No matter how many drawers there are in the chest of drawers, and no matter how convenient they are located, it will not work properly to use them if the pull-out mechanism is poorly made. Ideally, the boxes should roll out very easily, but not fall out, even if the extension was very sharp. In the closed position, all the boxes should be in close contact with each other and with the walls, leaning on the bar on the rear side.

In modern dressers use such extension mechanisms:

• roller guides - The most budget option, but they can decently make noise at work. The guides are made of plastic or metal, the latter option is preferable, but it is important that there is a rubber rim on the wheels - then the noise will be less. The minus of the roller guides - they do not allow the drawer to be extended more than 5/6 depth, but it certainly will not fall out;
• ball guides able to withstand any load, work silently, but increase the cost of a chest of drawers and require careful treatment;
• flush mounting rails - the most modern option. All elements of the mechanism are located not on the sides of the box, but under it, due to which the maximum level of extension and the impossibility of falling out is ensured.

No. 6. Chest of drawers

In addition to drawers, the chest of drawers should have a ton of other elements to ensure ease of use. These include:

• pens. By design, they can be anything, from antique to the most modern ones - the main thing is that they are easy to use. There are chests of drawers without handles that open when you lightly press the drawer, but such a system is appropriate if the facade of the product is not glossy, otherwise you can be tormented by wiping fingerprints;
• legs may be absent altogether, be regulated and unregulated. The presence of this element is a matter of personal preference, but the ability to adjust the height of the legs is useful if the floors in the room are uneven;
• Closer for drawers and doors ensures their smooth opening and closing, prevents sharp blows that can damage the chest of drawers;
• stopper prevents the box from falling out. It is appropriate when there are children in the house, but complicates access to things located at the far wall;
• wall mount complicates the installation of the dresser, but prevents it from falling while simultaneously pulling out all the drawers;
• chest of drawers is rare enough, but it simplifies finding the right subject in the dark.

Number 7. Fixed, mobile or wall-mounted chest of drawers?

If possible, dressers can be divided into:

• stationary;
• mobile.

With stationary everything is clear, they stand motionless on legs or a base; moving them from place to place is possible, but difficult. Mobile chest of drawers equipped with rollers, thanks to which it can be rearranged very easily, and thanks to the lock, the chest of drawers will remain stationary. An option for those who often make reshuffles.

By the method and features of installation, dressers are divided into:

• outdoor - the usual option, which is placed against the wall, so the back wall of it may not be particularly aesthetic;
• wall dressers fastened to the wall, they can be fixed in any necessary place, but to outweigh / rearrange it will be problematic. Regular wall-mounted floor dressers can also be additionally attached to the wall, especially if there are children in the house who like to climb and hang on various pieces of furniture;
• island dresser should be aesthetic on all sides, as it usually plays the role of a partition for zoning the space. Often in such dressers drawers are present on several sides.

Number 8. Dresser style and color

A dresser is not enough to be comfortable and roomy - it should fit into the interior and decorate it. The easiest way to get all the bedroom furniture included - then all items are guaranteed to be combined with each other. If you had to buy a chest of drawers separately from the rest of the furniture, then try comply with the general style and color scheme.

The appearance of the chest of drawers largely depends on the chosen interior style bedrooms:

• classic style involves the use of natural wood of valuable species, forged parts, panels. It is better if the chest of drawers is not very large and will rest on the legs;
• baroque, rococo and empire require more elegant curvilinear shapes, an abundance of decorative elements in the form of carvings and gilding. Material - wood;
• provence requires the use of a chest of light shades. The preferred material is wood, preferably artificially aged, minimal decor;
• high tech and minimalism - these are concise forms, the use of modern materials, incl. plastic, metal and glass, MDF and particleboard can be used. For high-tech, backlighting will be quite appropriate;
• modern allows you to use dressers of unusual shapes, with curved lines, interesting combinations of materials.

Do not rush to throw out the old chest of drawersif he is still strong. A few hours of work, and it can turn into a stylish exclusive product that fits perfectly into the bedroom interior. The easiest way is to paint the old chest of drawers, and you can use several colors at once, apply a picture or apply the decoupage technique. Another option is to decorate the facades of the drawers wallpaper, and after the glue dries, cover the new finish with acrylic varnish. Instead of wallpaper, you can use fabric or foil.

No. 9. What else is important to consider when choosing a chest of drawers in the bedroom?

A chest of drawers is one of those items that is bought for a sufficiently long period of use, therefore, every trifle should be considered when buying:

• the back of the dresser should be thick enough to support the weight of all things. Its thickness should not be less than 6 mm, and better - much more;
• Before payment, you should check the completeness of accessories;
• all doors and drawers should open softly and easily;
• Do not be lazy to measure the main parameters several times, so that the chest of drawers really fits in the space allotted to it.

And, most importantly, it is better to imagine in advance which chest of drawers you want to buy, otherwise a huge variety can confuse you.