Second only to the bed, the dresser and chest is the most important, highly used, and diverse piece of a furniture in your bedroom. Frequently used as a vanity, display area for photos, trophies and other sentimental elements, and/or storage facility for clothing, knick knacks, jewelry, lingerie, or even paperwork, the dresser is a vital part of your bedroom that should not be chosen in haste.
The Basics
The term dresser is generally used to describe the wider and shorter pieces, approximately waist high. These models take up more floor space but offer more functional surface space and are generally coupled with a dresser mirror that will further compliment your room's décor.
Chests are in some cases referred to as Bureaus, and tend to stand taller and have deeper and wider drawers meant for more hefty storage needs. Because of the added height on these pieces, they allow for more storage while conserving floor space.
Construction Techniques
Dressers and Chests are often listed with information that explains how they were constructed. These construction elements can tell you about the dresser's quality and the longevity of the product. Press or fiberboard construction will always be outlasted by solid hardwoods and veneers. Dust proof drawers are sealed tighter along the creases to prevent moisture from entering and attracting those pesky dust mites. Metal and metal ball bearing drawer glides will outlast a wooden drawer glide, offer a smoother pull, and are more easily replaced if wear and tear from rusting or misuse does occur.
Joinery refers to how the panels are joined together or jointed. The two most common and sturdy types are mortise and tenon and dovetailing. Mortise and Tenon refers to the simple joining of a peg with a matching shaped hole. This method is practical and sturdy enough that one would be hard-pressed to find a home in America without an example of mortise and tenon joinery. Dovetailing, in which trapezoidal shaped notches are joined together much like the teeth of a zipper, is considered the most durable and strongest joint method. Two types of dovetailing methods exist: English and French.
Although dovetailed drawers tend to last longer and stand up to harsher punishment than other construction methods, there are differences between the English and French varieties that may persuade you to choose one over the other. Simpler to make, the French style also tends to end up in less costly furniture. Along with being inexpensive, the French style drawers will be lower in height and also smaller in depth and width, allowing for less overall storage space.
