"Dresser" and "chest of drawers" are often used as if they mean the same thing, and retailers mix them up all the time. They are built differently, though, and the difference decides how much floor space a piece takes and what it stores best. Here's how a dresser compares with a chest of drawers, a double dresser, a tallboy and a credenza, and how to choose for your room.
The Main Difference
A dresser is wide and low. A chest of drawers is tall and narrow. A dresser usually has two or three columns of drawers side by side and a long top you can use for a mirror, a lamp and décor. A chest stacks its drawers in a single column, using height instead of floor space. In American usage, "dresser" usually means the wide, low piece and "chest" the tall one.
Key Differences: Dresser vs. Chest of Drawers
| Dresser | Chest of drawers | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Wide and low, roughly waist high | Tall and narrow |
| Typical size | 30–38 in H × 50–70 in W | 40–55 in H × 25–40 in W |
| Drawers | 6–9, side by side, wider and shallower | 4–6, stacked, often deeper |
| Top surface | Large: room for a mirror, lamp and tray | Small: a lamp or a few objects |
| Floor space | More | Less, because it uses vertical space |
| Best for | Main bedrooms, shared storage, a TV or mirror on top | Small bedrooms, apartments, alcoves and corners |
What Is a Double Dresser?
A double dresser has two columns of drawers, usually six or eight drawers in total and about 55–65 in wide. It's the most common bedroom dresser. The Curva 8-Drawer Double Dresser (63 in W × 37.4 in H) is a good example: eight drawers, rounded edges, a 63 in wide top, and 6.3 in of space underneath so cleaning is easy. A triple dresser adds a third column, usually 9 drawers and 65–72 in wide, for shared main bedrooms. The 70.8 in Orbis Soft Curve Drawer Dresser is close to that size, with eight deep drawers rated for 44 lb each.
Tallboy and Highboy
A tallboy is a tall chest of drawers, sometimes made as a smaller chest stacked on a larger one. A highboy is a tall chest raised on legs, a classic 18th-century American form. Today both names mean a tall, narrow chest, the best choice when floor space is tight. Examples include the Curva 5-Drawer Chest (47.2 in H × 32.8 in W) and the Nacre 5-Drawer Chest (49.4 in H × 31.5 in W).
Dresser vs. Credenza
A credenza (or sideboard) looks like a long dresser, but it's designed for living and dining rooms. It usually has doors and shelves instead of all drawers, and it sits a little lower, often 30–36 in tall. A dresser is built for folded clothes: every drawer runs full depth. Can a credenza be a dresser? Yes, if it has enough drawers, and a dresser can work as a credenza in a dining room or under a TV. Rounded pieces like the Orbis Rounded Edge Sideboard mix the two, with deep drawers plus cabinets.
Dresser vs. cabinet
A cabinet stores things behind doors on shelves, while a dresser stores them in drawers. For clothes, drawers win because you can see and reach everything. For bulky or tall items, shelves win.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a dresser if…
- You have at least 60 in of wall and 36 in of clear floor in front.
- Two people share it, or you want a mirror or TV on top.
- You store mostly folded clothes (shallower, wider drawers are easier to sort).
Choose a chest of drawers if…
- The bedroom is small, or you're filling a narrow wall, an alcove or the space beside a closet.
- You want storage without blocking a walkway.
- You store bulkier items like sweaters and linens (deeper drawers help).
Or use both
Many main bedrooms pair a dresser on one wall with a chest on another. It's completely normal to have two dressers, or a dresser and a chest. Keep them in the same finish or collection so they look planned. Our Curva and Orbis collections both include matching dressers and chests.
Materials and Durability
- Solid wood: heavy and long-lasting, and it can be refinished.
- Plywood and MDF with veneer or laminate: stable and smooth, and less likely to warp. This is the most common construction.
- Drawer slides: metal slides last longer and run more smoothly than wood runners.
- Drawer ratings: check the per-drawer load if you store jeans or heavy sweaters.
Quick Checklist
- Measure the wall, and leave about 36 in in front so drawers can open fully.
- Choose wide and low for top surface, or tall and narrow for floor space.
- Check the drawer count, interior depth and load rating.
- Anchor it to the wall. Since 2023, clothing storage units sold in the U.S. must meet the CPSC's STURDY tip-over standard, and anti-tip kits are included for a reason.
Need exact numbers? See our dresser dimensions guide. Short on space? Read the best dressers for small bedrooms.
FAQ
What do Americans call a chest of drawers?
Usually a "chest" or "tall dresser". In British English, "dresser" often means a kitchen hutch with shelves.
Can I use a chest of drawers as a dressing table?
A low dresser works better. Its waist-high top fits a mirror and a stool. A tall chest is usually too high to sit at.
Are dressers still used in bedrooms?
Yes. Even with walk-in closets, a dresser holds folded clothes, gives you a surface for a mirror and lamp, and anchors the bedroom wall.
Browse all dressers and chests.