A Quick Guide to Identifying Secondhand Dressers
It’s a staple of any bedroom – and more than just a handy place to store your clothes. Deciding on the perfect dresser from a sea of secondhand dressers can be a challenge. Dressers can range from being large enough to store an entire wardrobe to small enough to serve as a nightstand. They come in all colors, materials, and styles, and choosing one will come down to your specific needs!
If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect dresser for your bedroom, this guide will help you narrow down the options. Let’s explore all the secondhand dressers out there, together.
Table of Contents
Horizontal Dresser
Let’s start with one of the most common dresser types: a horizontal dresser. This highly functional furniture piece is wider than it is tall, with two or three rows of drawers. It’s perfect if you have low ceilings, or want to place a mirror above it. Kids also love horizontal dressers because they are able to reach all of their clothes easily.
Shop Asian Barn Six Drawer Double Dresser
Vertical Dresser
Tall and narrow, this dresser is the opposite of the horizontal style. It is great for smaller rooms where you want to conserve floor space. Usually, it contains a single column of drawers, stacked high. You won’t be able to use the top of the dresser for much, except storage for hats or baskets.
Shop Bobs Discount Furniture Spencer Five Drawer Lift-Top Chest
Armoire/Gentleman’s Chest
An armoire, or gentleman’s chest combines drawers and a hanging section within a cabinet. It is well-suited to spaces lacking a closet, providing all the storage you need inside one dresser. This is a very large piece of furniture that takes up a lot of space, so it is best for large rooms.
Shop Heritage Vintage Chest of Drawers
Bachelor’s Chests
On the opposite end of the spectrum are bachelor’s chests. These small dressers have a petite footprint with only one or two rows of drawers. They are perfect for a single person living in a small space.
Shop Ashley Furniture Exquisite Three Drawer Chest
Highboy Dresser
Highboy dressers have an antique look with thin legs supporting a stack of drawers. Fun fact: the name ‘highboy’ originally came from a mispronunciation of the French word, ‘bois,’ meaning wood.
Shop American Drew Chippendale Highboy Chest
Lowboy Dresser
A shorter version of the highboy, this low-profile chest of drawers resembles a desk. The design dates to the 18th century in both America and England. Its small stature makes it ideal as a side table.
Shop 57st. design Forde Six Drawer Dresser
Lingerie Chest
This dresser has a tall profile with a single row of small drawers. As the name implies, it is perfect for storing underwear, t-shirts, and other small items.
Shop Broyhill Furniture Traditional Lingerie Chest
Antique Dresser
Then, of course, there are all the unique antique dresser styles from over the centuries. Antique dressers are often marked by ornate details, as well as solid, dark woods, and unique leg shapes. Here are a few antique dresser styles of note:
- Bombe
- Semainier
- Chiffonier
Discover More Secondhand Dressers on Kaiyo
From an old-school bombe dresser to a mid-century modern beauty, we believe secondhand dressers bring far more charm to a space than brand new ones. Whether you want your dresser to make a statement, match your existing furniture, or blend in with a more minimalist design, Kaiyo has a wide range of secondhand dressers to delight. Shop our full collection of dressers here.