A good chest of drawers needs to match your available floor space, storage requirements, material preferences, and willingness to assemble the unit. For most bedrooms, a six-drawer chest offers the best compromise between capacity and footprint. A tall chest suits rooms where floor width is limited, while a wide dresser provides larger drawers and a usable top surface.
What Size Chest of Drawers Should I Buy for My Bedroom?
Overview of the main options
- Types: Tall chest (6+ drawers), low chest (3-5 drawers), wide chest / dresser.
- Materials: Solid wood (oak, pine), engineered wood (MDF, particleboard), metal, wood veneer.
- Price ranges: Budget (under £100), Mid-range (£100–£300), Premium (£300 and above).
- Top retailers: IKEA, Oak Furnitureland, JYSK, Amazon, Dream Home Store.
Key insights for buyers
- Chest of drawers remain a core bedroom storage solution in 2025, with demand increasing for space-saving designs.
- Tall six-drawer chests are the most popular format for maximising vertical storage in smaller bedrooms.
- IKEA offers the widest variety of modern styles at competitive prices, while Oak Furnitureland focuses on solid wood and longevity.
- Clearance sales from major retailers can reduce prices by 30 to 50 percent on seasonal stock.
- Assembly is a common drawback; most budget models require DIY fitting, whereas premium pieces often include a delivery and assembly service.
Quick reference facts
| Specification | Typical measurement |
|---|---|
| Standard chest width | 60–90 cm |
| Standard chest height | 70–130 cm (tall chest up to 150 cm) |
| Common materials | Solid wood, MDF, engineered wood, metal |
| Average UK price | £80–£250 |
| Most popular size | 6‑drawer tall chest (approx. 80 cm wide, 120 cm tall) |
| Typical drawer depth | 40–50 cm |
Measure the room before shopping, including skirting boards, door swings, radiators, sockets, and wardrobe doors. IKEA describes tall storage as useful for tight corners and gaps beside hanging clothes. IKEA chest of drawers collection
Where Can I Find the Best Deals on Chest of Drawers?
The pricing landscape for chest of drawers in the UK covers budget models under £100, mid‑range units between £100 and £300, and premium solid wood pieces over £300. IKEA dominates the mid‑range market with a broad variety of styles, while Oak Furnitureland and specialist retailers target the premium segment. Amazon’s marketplace provides one of the largest catalogues, with user reviews and frequent price reductions. Amazon.co.uk chest of drawers
Major UK retailers typically discount bedroom furniture during the January sales, the summer sales in July, and the Black Friday period in November. End‑of‑year clearance events also yield significant savings on remaining stock.
If you are furnishing a whole room, also see our guide on Window Shutters – Complete UK Buying Guide and Costs for coordinating window treatments with your new storage furniture.
IKEA vs Other Brands: Which Chest of Drawers Is Best?
Is IKEA chest of drawers good quality?
IKEA uses a range of materials from particleboard to solid wood and wood veneer across its six‑drawer ranges. The Swedish retailer’s flat‑pack model keeps prices low, and assembly documentation is provided for every product. IKEA also offers assembly assistance through Taskrabbit in the United States, and a similar service is available in the UK through third‑party providers.
How does Oak Furnitureland compare to IKEA?
Oak Furnitureland focuses entirely on solid wood pieces, often featuring dovetail joints and a five‑year guarantee. Their chests are generally heavier and more expensive than IKEA’s, but the construction is designed for long‑term durability and the ability to be refinished. Oak Furnitureland solid wood chests
Which retailer has the best selection of chest of drawers?
Amazon offers the largest marketplace with a wide range of sellers, styles, and price points, supported by customer reviews and verified purchase labels. JYSK carries a curated selection of modern and traditional designs at mid‑range prices. JYSK chest of drawers shop Dream Home Store specialises in stylish, ready‑assembled furniture for customers who prefer to avoid flat‑pack assembly.
What Material Should I Choose for a Chest of Drawers?
Are solid wood chest of drawers worth the extra cost?
Solid wood is the premium option for longevity, repairability, and appearance. Oak, pine, and walnut chests can be sanded, stained, or repainted over time, and they resist edge damage better than thin laminates. The disadvantages include higher weight, greater cost, and potential expansion or contraction with humidity. FSC‑certified wood is increasingly sought after by buyers who prioritise sustainability. FSC-certified wood information
What about MDF and particleboard?
Particleboard and MDF are common in affordable flat‑pack furniture. They keep the price low and the weight manageable, but they are vulnerable to swelling if water enters exposed edges. Screw holes can weaken after repeated disassembly, and lower‑quality panels may sag under heavy loads. IKEA’s STORKLINTA six‑drawer model, for example, uses particleboard for the frame and fibreboard for the drawer bottoms.
Particleboard and MDF swell permanently if water reaches unsealed edges. Spills should be wiped immediately, and these units are best kept away from radiators and damp walls.
What are dovetail joints and are they important?
Dovetail joints interlock the drawer front and sides, providing greater strength than basic stapled or glued joints. They are a recognised hallmark of quality drawer construction. Many premium brands, including Oak Furnitureland, highlight dovetail joinery as a key selling point.
Dovetail joints indicate higher quality construction. A well‑cut dovetail joint resists the pulling force of a heavily loaded drawer far better than a nailed or stapled joint.
How to Assemble and Organise a Chest of Drawers?
Flat‑pack furniture is usually cheaper to transport but requires careful assembly. Following the correct sequence saves time and prevents structural mistakes.
- Confirm the package dimensions will fit through doors, stairs, and lifts before bringing the box inside.
- Sort all screws, cams, and fittings against the instruction manual before beginning.
- Assemble the main carcass on a protected, level surface. Do not overtighten particleboard fasteners.
- Keep the frame square while installing the thin back panel – this locks the geometry of the chest.
- Install drawer runners in the correct left/right orientation. Full‑extension runners provide better access.
- Build each drawer, attach the fronts, and adjust the alignment. Use two people for tall or heavy units.
- Anchor the unit to a wall stud using the included anti‑tip straps before loading any drawers. UK furniture safety guidelines (anchoring tall furniture)
Are Solid Wood Chest of Drawers Worth the Extra Cost?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Solid wood lasts longer than MDF but is heavier and more expensive. | Assembly time varies widely – from 30 minutes to over 2 hours depending on brand and model. |
| Dovetail joints indicate higher quality construction. | Availability of specific clearance items – stock varies significantly by store and region. |
| Tall chests must be anchored to the wall for safety, especially in homes with children. | Long‑term durability of budget MDF chests under regular family use. |
| Solid wood chest prices have risen approximately 10% since 2023 due to raw material costs. | Actual lifespan of lower‑cost veneer furniture before corners or edges show wear. |
Chest of Drawers vs Dresser: What’s the Difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but the usual distinction is that a chest of drawers is taller and narrower, using vertical space efficiently, while a dresser is wider and lower, with larger drawers and more surface area. A six‑drawer dresser is typically wide and relatively low, suitable for folded clothing and bedding, whereas a tall six‑drawer chest works beside wardrobes or in small bedrooms where floor space is tight. IKEA’s current ranges include both formats in widths and heights that cover most room layouts.
What Are the Top Chest of Drawer Brands in the UK?
“Our chests of drawers are designed to fit your space and your style.”
— IKEA website
“Made from solid wood and featuring dovetail joints for lasting durability.”
— Oak Furnitureland
“Browse stylish dressers and storage units with smooth drawer operation.”
— Amazon.co.uk
“A range of drawers and chests in many sizes and shapes.”
— JYSK
“Top‑quality chest of drawers that combine style and storage.”
— Dream Home Store
Dream Home Store chest of drawers
What Should You Do Next?
Measure your room and doorways to confirm the preferred chest will fit. Decide on a budget and material type – solid wood for longevity, MDF for affordability. Check the clearance and sale sections at the major retailers listed above, and read customer reviews that focus on assembly ease and durability. If you are also choosing children’s bedroom furniture, our guide on Bunk Bed – How to Choose the Right One for Your Family covers similar practical and safety considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drawers should a chest of drawers have?
The number of drawers depends on your storage needs. 3‑5 drawers suit smaller spaces, while 6‑8 drawers are ideal for larger wardrobes or shared bedrooms.
Can a chest of drawers be used in a living room?
Yes, chest of drawers work well in living rooms for storing media accessories, documents, or dining linens.
What is the best way to clean a chest of drawers?
Use a soft damp cloth for dusting. For solid wood, apply furniture polish occasionally. Avoid harsh chemicals on MDF surfaces.
Do chest of drawers come with a warranty?
Most brands offer 1‑10 year warranties. IKEA offers up to 10 years on some models; Oak Furnitureland offers 5 years on many of its solid wood chests.
How can I prevent a tall chest of drawers from tipping?
Anchor the chest to the wall using the included anti‑tip straps and ensure it is placed on a flat, level surface.
What is the difference between a chest of drawers and a wardrobe?
A chest of drawers has horizontal drawers for folded clothes; a wardrobe provides hanging space for coats and dresses.
What is the average price of a good chest of drawers in the UK?
Expect to pay between £80 and £250 for a well‑made mid‑range unit. Budget models can be found under £100, while premium solid wood chests start around £300.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.