If you live in a small space, chances are that your closet situation is pretty dire. You usually end up with a meager hanging rod that doesn’t offer nearly enough space for all your coats, jackets and shirts, and maybe a few shelves that hold about a third of your sweater collection. Everything else is usually relegated to bins under the bed and other awkward places in your room. For these reasons, we would say that the chest of drawers is the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom – except for maybe the bed. The problem with buying dressers is that they can be quite expensive, and it’s hard to tell online whether you’re getting your money’s worth. On the other hand, if you go for a cheap model, you risk being stuck with a rickety set of shelves that you’ll probably have to throw away in a year.
To help you avoid such problems, we’re introducing the Personal Shopper series, where we visit the physical locations of your favorite home retailers, including Pottery Barn, Burrow, and Ashley, to personally test their furniture and decor. After that, we give you a detailed analysis of which sofa, rug, chest of drawers or coffee table is best for your space.
We recently reviewed West Elm’s bed frames and rugs, and now we’re focusing on their dressers. In total, we looked at seven models. While this number may seem small, we believe there is something for every lifestyle and space. Whether you’re looking for a piece with maximum drawer space or a vertical dresser that will fit in a tight corner and still look great, you’ll find it here.
West Elm is an editors’ and readers’ favorite for all things home, including dressers. Their impressive selection not only looks good but is also made from premium materials that will stand up to everyday use. West Elm also offers free furniture customization and design guidance if needed, as well as free samples to help you find your ideal materials and colors. Below are the exact dressers we tested, including those from customer favorite collections and newer models we were excited to finally see in person.
We rated every West Elm dresser in the store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped us determine who the dresser would best suit, from the frequent mover to the homeowner with plenty of space in their postponement.
Appearance: Which style of dresser decoration suits best? Is its design warm and rustic or elegant and modern? Is it classic with warm wood finishes and details or contemporary with clean lines and mixed material designs?
Storage capacity: Are the drawers big enough to accommodate most of your closet? Are you getting significant surface area on top for other items? Are the dresser legs tall enough to store things under the body?
Space Requirements: How much space does the dresser take up? Does it require a lot of horizontal floor space or does it make good use of vertical space? How tall is he?
Drawer mobility: How easy are the drawers to pull out? Do they grip and require a lot of muscle, or do they slide easily?
Drawer depth: How far back do the drawers extend? Are they spacious or compact? Are they all the same size?
Every dresser tested by an editor at West Elm
What impressed us: Marble surface and small surface.
The Parker dresser takes the mid-century aesthetic that West Elm is known and loved for and adds a glamorous twist with its white and gray marble top. The surface is smooth and even has a slight sheen; Just imagine how beautiful it would look decorated with jewelry boxes, flowers and other decor. And, at just 3 meters wide and just over 4 meters high, the Parker is extremely compact, so it’s perfect for small bedrooms. You still have five spacious drawers, making the chest of drawers a solid addition to a small closet. We also couldn’t help but admire its tall tapered legs and brass drawer pulls. Indeed, the Parker is stylish without being flashy, and it’s also relatively lightweight, which will come in handy for those who move around a lot.
What impressed us: Laminated wood design and slatted legs.
To complete your room with a beachy, rustic atmosphere, get the Anton chest of drawers. Not only is it wonderfully modular in silhouette, but this six-drawer number also dazzles with its irregular mango wood finish. The two slats help create an airy, weightless look, even though this was one of the larger dressers we saw in the store. Specifically, Anton offers six 27” x 13” drawers that will effortlessly accommodate most of your clothing or bedding. You’ll also notice that this dresser has no drawer pulls, which adds to its relaxed feel. Instead, the gaps between individual drawers allow you to reach in and pull out the desired drawer. The drawers don’t slide as smoothly compared to those on some of West Elm’s other dressers, but this is a minor drawback that we’re willing to overlook given the substantial storage space you get. We also want to note that the wood finish of the Burnt Wax dresser may look warm-toned in online photos, but it definitely looks cooler in person.
What impressed us: Rounded legs and contrasting colors.
Even if it’s not technically the heaviest dresser we’ve looked at, the Hargrove certainly is looks like heavy and substantial. This may be due to its engineered wood construction and textured finish, which almost gives the impression that this piece was just made from a huge tree. (The dresser’s rounded legs even look a bit like tree trunks, albeit refined.) Still, this sustainably made anchor piece won’t weigh down your bedroom, thanks to its light-colored finish. Six black rectangular drawers pull out against the beige wood, creating an eye-catching contrast to the otherwise minimalist dresser. The legs are also quite high, which further prevents the appearance of dice. And it goes without saying that the drawers can hold a considerable amount. Although this chest of drawers is made for the bedroom, we think its understated, versatile and easy-to-style design could work for other spaces, such as a hallway or office.
What impressed us: Grooved drawers and brass legs.
While it’s undoubtedly the most eye-catching dresser we’ve seen at West Elm, the Quinn is also one of the most versatile models on display. You can get it in a brown and white color scheme with black drawer pulls, although we’ve seen it in all-white with gold-tone detailing. This duo of colors, combined with inconspicuous wooden drawers, gives off a glam look. Additionally, Quinn can also fit into subtle spaces; whether it stands out or blends in with the surroundings, it all depends on how you style the room. Inward-curving drawers give way to deep compartments, while tall, skinny legs give you an extra 7 inches of storage space below the actual dresser, should you want to take advantage of it. You’ll also be happy to know that this pick has built-in levels, which allow the legs to adjust to different floor levels. We noticed at the store that the white surface of the dresser had a couple of black scratches, so just be careful not to put anything too abrasive on top. Or, if so, consider using coasters, runners or trays.
What impressed us: Various drawer sizes and a glossy finish.
Fans of classic mid-century modern design will love this 8-drawer dresser, which would look right at home in a room with extra square footage. We were immediately taken with its rich caramel brown shade, as it was shinier and smoother than the other dressers we looked at. We would recommend this dresser to homeowners, or at least renters who don’t plan on moving much. Not only is the piece heavy, but its raised legs give it a majestic appearance. Another unique feature is the different sizes of dresser drawers. At the top you have two shorter drawers that are good for accessories or other everyday items you reach for on the way out. Below you’ll get six deeper drawers that we feel could potentially house an entire wardrobe, depending on the person of course. Bronze hardware completes the vintage-inspired design, cementing this dresser as a timeless and eventual heirloom that your descendants may fight over.
What impressed us: A brass drawer pulls and mixes materials.
If you’re looking for a dresser that can fit without looking like it’s taking up a ton of floor space, try a modernist dresser. This is the most elegant model we have seen, and the high cylindrical legs of the chest of drawers, the lacquered frame and the clean silhouette undoubtedly contribute to the quality. However, the main features are the unique metal drawers. They almost double as little works of art on otherwise simple monochromatic furniture. Ash drawer fronts add further visual interest, while metal slides ensure ultra-smooth drawer pulls every time. We could definitely see a modernist dresser standing out in a dining room or front entry next to a bedroom.
What impressed us: High silhouette and rounded side details.
If the Parker chest of drawers is too short for your needs, but you still want something relatively compact, choose the Otto chest of drawers. It won’t eat up a lot of floor space, but what it lacks in horizontal storage it makes up for in height. At 4.5 feet tall, this guy was created with small spaces in mind, and its retro-inspired design is undeniably charming. Made from sustainably sourced mango wood, Otto has an almost orange finish that will add warmth to spaces that need it. Its drawers are in the form of small hemispheres; they’re big enough for the thumb and index finger to close and thus aren’t the most ergonomic, but at least they look interesting. Whether your style is boho or California based, this dresser will instantly make your space feel sunnier and less cluttered.