How to Buy a Dresser + Types of Dressers, Explained

Types of Dressers

Did you know there's a dresser type for every style and need? From vintage to modern, large to small, the options are endless. Choose a color, shape and size that speaks to your room capacity and personal style curations.

Dressers Styles

Dresser styles range from mid-century to modern to traditional and everything in between. Styles that lean older (mid-century, traditional, vintage) will often come with tapered legs, fretwork-carved fronts and/or distressed wood. Dressers that lean newer (modern, coastal, minimalist) will look and feel simpler and often come in brighter, more monochrome palettes.

Different Types of Dressers

One of the most common types of dressers is the bedroom chest, which is composed of two columns of drawers and is often large enough to hold clothes for two people. Then, there's the bachelor's chest, which is smaller, often composed of two drawers only and designed for one person. A third type of dresser is the lingerie chest, which is a narrow, small design in which smaller articles such as jewelry, socks and underwear can be stored neatly in designated compartments

What Is a Tall Dresser Called?

A tall dresser is also called a gentleman's chest. The "stretched" version of a standard chest, the gentleman's chest is often made up of four or five slim drawers stacked on top of each other, making the design small space-friendly. While narrower than chests, this design is still wide enough to store everyday clothes like shirts and pants.

What Is a Dresser With a Mirror Called?

A dresser with mirror is called . . . a dresser with mirror! There really is no "technical" name for this design, which is made up of a chest of drawers with a large square or rectangle mirror adjoined to the back of its top. Dressers with mirrors are often confused for vanities, but they're actually not the same things: while both have mirrors, the former is a desk, and the latter is a chest of drawers.