All About Bedroom Dressers

A tried and true history

Throughout history, bedroom dressers have been a common fixture in any carpenter's workshop, in the halls of kings, and in the kitchens of everyday homes around the world. The bedroom dresser got its start as the most important piece of furniture in the halls of kings and nobles of the medieval period, where it contained the cups and plates that were essential to any feast. By the 18th century the bedroom dresser had evolved into two types of furniture – a sideboard in the dining room and a chest of drawers in the bedroom.

Dresser varieties

Bedroom dressers are typically made at waist or shoulder heights and contain a variety of drawers. Usually, the larger the bedroom dresser the more drawers it will have. For example, a 9-drawer dresser might be typical for one that is waist-high, while a 13-drawer or 16-drawer dresser would be more common in a model that is shoulder-high.

Most bedroom dressers are made from wood but they can be made out of nearly any material. Dressers are usually made with a flat back and sides so they can be placed against a wall or in a corner with access to the drawers at the front.

While many dressers are plain in appearance, they can also be very ornamental or decorative and finished in a variety of hues and colors. Bedroom dressers, especially those that are waist-high, also often have a mirror on top.

Dresser styles

Due in part to their long history, bedroom dressers are available to match any style or decor. From the sleek and smooth lines of contemporary styling to the ornate and elegant features of Victorian furniture, the various styles of dressers are immense.

Many dressers also retain the plain look of their ancestors and are manufactured out of unfinished wood. As well, bedroom dressers are also available in children's styles and can include various characters or be crafted to look like a doll house or a race car.

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