Have you ever imagined a house without a furniture?

Furniture are typically household objects that makes the home comfy and habitable for living.

It enhances a room’s functionality and aesthetic value. In particular, the chest of drawers or the dressing table are two most vital pieces of furniture that makes life more convenient and cozy.

These furniture set the standard for an organized life and are very functional within the home especially in the bedroom. Apart from their functionality, they serves a dual purpose of beautifying a space.

However, many people find it difficult to choose between purchasing a chest of drawers and a dressing table. This article would inform you and guide you in making your decision. 

What is a chest of drawers?

A chest of drawers is a furniture with multiple storage spaces called drawers where various items can be kept. It  is a piece of furniture that has a chest or frame with nicely fitting storage cases. It usually comes with about three, four or six drawers.

For storage purpose, it can accommodate general household articles like blanket, bed sheet, pillow cases, cutlery set and many others. It is also called a “high boy” or “chest”.

Characteristics/Features of Chest Drawers

It has a rectangular and boxlike shape with short affixed legs at the bottom. It is usually narrow to suit a tight room with inadequate space. Like its called, the “high boy” is usually tall to accommodate a stack of layered drawers to create the storage spaces desired. It has a varying height between 44-inches to 60-inches tall and a varying width between 24- to 38-inches wide. It is usually made of wood. However, a chest can be made from other materials too. 

What is a dressing table?

A dressing table is a piece of furniture like a table with a mirror at the top and few storage spaces called drawers where personal grooming articles like clothes, trinket, make-up materials and the likes can be kept.

It usually comes with a stool where one can sit to apply make up and for personal grooming effects. It usually comes with about six or more deep horizontally layered drawers. A dressing table can also be called a dresser, “low boy” or a toilet table. 

Characteristics/Features of Dressing Table

A dressing table typically has a box like shape. It is usually wide to suit a room with enough floor space. Like its called, the “low boy” is usually short to allow space for a mirror above it. It comes with stool and deep drawers, sometimes two inches deep to allow space for bogus clothing materials.

The dressing table is a bespoke furniture that can be crafted to suit one’s space needs. It ranges from small drawer spaces for trinket and big spaces for sweaters although It usually comes with tailored horizontal layers, it can still be crafted to suits one’s taste and needs.   The height of a dresser is typically 35-inches tall but they could be shorter depending on the wardrobe need. Its width varies between 30 - 70 inches wide depending on the available space it can be accommodated in. A good space is definitely needed to house this staple piece in other not to create a busy look.

General differences between a chest drawer and a dressing table

Functionality

The most distinct difference between a chest of drawers and a dressing table is in their functions. A chest of drawer is basically for general storage purposes while a dressing table is basically for toilet or grooming purposes. For instance, a chest of drawers can house general household utensils like a cutlery set while the dressing table is basically used to store clothing and personal materials.

Stool

A dressing table typically has a stool where one can sit to dress up, make up and perform all toilet and grooming essentials. However, a chest of drawers is usually just a chest with drawers.

Mirror

Also, a dressing table has a mirror on top of the table where one can view one’s ambiance when dressing. A drawer on the other hand does not come with a mirror.

Location

Furthermore, a dressing table is typically kept in the bedroom. However, a chest of drawer can be kept in the bedroom or anywhere else in the house.

Size

The chest of drawers are usually narrow and occupies little space suitable for a small or tight room while the dresses are usually wider and occupies more space suitable for a big room. The chest of drawers are usually high to accommodate many rows of drawers. The dressers are usually low.

Multi-functionality

A chest of drawer is basically for storage while a dressing table can serve as both a storage and grooming piece. A dressing table is multi-functional.

Similarities

The basic and most striking similarity between a chest of drawers and a dressing table is their functionality. They are both for storage purpose. They help to organize household utensils and clothing articles. They add to the aesthetic of a space. They can serve as complementary pieces of furniture in a big space.

For single apartments or smaller spaces a vertical chest of drawers may do you good. However  to create more storage spaces or aesthetics to different areas of a house; like a hall way, a tall chest of drawers may fit perfectly in this scenario.

In addition, a more likely possibility is to combine the furniture pieces when in search for a larger piece to fill a space in your bedroom. Purchasing a complete bedroom set will help to improve the aesthetic value and harmony of a space. It would also save you the stress of searching for a single chest of drawer that fits perfectly into the theme of a space.

Chest of drawers vs dressing table: how to Decide Whether to Get a Chest or Dresser

Are you confused about whether to purchase a chest of drawers or a dressing table? Many people find it tricky to choose between purchasing a dressing table or chest of drawers because they look similar. However, there are a couple of factors to consider before taking this decision. The chest or a dressing table may be similar but they have different functionality. Some of the factors to consider are; space, storage need, beauty needs and budget.

Space

Space is an important thing to consider before getting a chest of drawers or a dressing table. How much space do you have? You do not want to have a dressing table in a room with an inadequate floor space.  Apart from it looking overcrowded, it could restrict activities and movement. Hence, the actually purpose for the dressing table may be defeated. The dressing table is usually wider and short- waist length to allow you take a view of yourself from the mirror. In a tight space, you might not be able to fully capture yourself from the mirror. The dresser fits best in a big room with adequate floor space. The chest of drawers however will still fit perfectly in a single tight room because it is narrow and high to accommodate enough storage space within the barest space possible. For shortage of space, a chest of drawers can be the best alternative. They also fit perfectly into rooms with high ceilings.

Storage need

After passing the space test, storage need is another factor that should inform your decision between getting a chest of drawers or dressing table. You should ask yourself, what do I intend to store or keep in this furniture? If your storage need is just to store general household materials then a chest of drawer might just be the best for you. However, if your need is to store personal clothing and grooming equipment  the dressing table could be your best bet.

Beauty need

Both furniture add to the aesthetic value of a space. Although, the dressing table tends to be more attractive depending on the kind of material used for it. For personal grooming and beauty need however, the chest of drawers would not serve adequate purpose. If you intend to get a piece that will meet your storage need and at the same time your beauty need then the dressing table has it. You can spy on yourself taking a look at yourself from the mirror while dressing or applying make up.

Budget

Purchasing a dressing table or a chest of drawers will definitely incur  some cost. You need to ask yourself, how much do I have for a piece? However, the chest of drawers  is relatively cheaper than the dressing table. Notwithstanding, when considering your budget, its important to also consider your paramount need or the functionality of the furniture in meeting with your desire.

Conclusion 

The chest of drawers and dressing table are but staple pieces of furniture that suits the bed room space in achieving a functional and beautiful room. However, its important to consider various factors to help deal with the confusion of choosing between either of them.