Furniture Dresser FAQs

A dresser, like any piece of furniture, is usually an expensive item, so before you go out and buy one, you need to have enough information to make the best choice. The FAQs you will find here have answers that will supply you with all of the information you need for purchasing furniture dressers.

The Answers to Your Furniture Dresser Questions

What is a furniture dresser?
A dresser is a piece of furniture with multiple drawers that is typically found in a bedroom and is used as storage for clothing, but may also be used to store smaller items, such as jewelry or other accessories.

What is the difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers?
While both types of furniture are used in the bedroom for storage, a dresser is longer, resulting in larger drawers, and is usually not very tall. The height allows for a mirror or other items to be placed on top of it. A chest of drawers is very similar, but is usually tall and narrow. Depending on the overall size, either piece of furniture can hold quite a bit of clothing, but it’s more likely that a chest will be used for smaller items, such as lingerie, jewelry or children’s clothing.

How many drawers are in a dresser?
It really depends on what you need. Furniture dressers can have as little as two drawers or as many as ten. Dressers with fewer drawers are usually lower to the ground and the drawers tend to be all the same size. Large dressers may have drawers that are the same size and shape, but are more likely to have a few large drawers combined with a variety of small drawers or compartments.

What is the best material for a dresser?
Like most furniture, a dresser will be more durable if it is made out of wood. Furniture dressers can be made out of almost any wood and be painted or stained in a variety of colors. However, wood is not the only option. Today’s dressers are made out of everything from metal to plastic to wood veneers.

What’s better: an armoire or a dresser?
Again, it depends on what you need. If you already have plenty of closet space and just need some additional storage, then a dresser is probably right for you. If you don’t have any closets and need space to hang clothing as well as store it, then you may need an armoire. Remember that space is also a consideration. An armoire is a very large piece of furniture that will take up a lot of space in any bedroom. If space is limited in your bedroom, consider a dresser instead.

Should I buy a bedroom set instead of one dresser?
This depends on your sense of style which is very important in choosing the right furniture for your room. If you are someone who likes all of the furniture in your room to match, then a bedroom set may be good for you. Bedroom sets usually include any combination of the following in the same style: a bed frame, a dresser, a nightstand, and a chest. A set may also include a desk, a bookcase, or a bench. If you have a more eclectic sense of style and like to pick out unique pieces of furniture, you might be better off looking for a standalone dresser instead of a complete bedroom set.

Are dressers only for bedrooms?
Historically, dressers were used in dining rooms as cupboards to store serving dishes, plates, and glasses. If you are an avid antique shopper, you may come across one of these older forms of furniture dressers and choose to use it in your dining room. However, most dressers you find today will be made with the purpose of being used in bedroom to store clothing and other items.

When shopping for bedroom furniture, these answers should help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

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