A chest of drawers is the bedroom's most frequently used storage piece — the one opened and closed multiple times every day, across every season of the year. Choosing the right configuration means finding the balance between the storage capacity the room needs, the wall space available, and the finish that coordinates with the surrounding furniture. At Airedale Living, our chest of drawers range covers every major configuration: tall and narrow designs for compact rooms, wide and large designs for master bedrooms, slim-depth designs for tight spaces, and 6-drawer designs for maximum capacity — across white, grey, oak, and black finishes. Every chest of drawers comes with free UK delivery and arrives flat-pack with all fixings and instructions included. Browse the full collection above, filter by size and finish, or navigate directly to the right sub-category using the sections below.

67 products

Sydney 6 Drawer Wide Chest - Black Ash

£164.00

Sydney 6 Drawer Wide Chest

£164.00

Sydney 5 Drawer Chest - Black Ash

£164.00

Sydney 5 Drawer Chest

£164.00

Sydney 3 Drawer Chest - Black Ash

£112.00

Sydney 3 Drawer Chest

£112.00

Sia 6 Drawer Chest

£260.99

Sia 5 Drawer Chest

£260.00

Sia 3 Drawer Chest

£207.99

Richmond 6 Drawer Wide Chest

£503.99

Richmond 4+2 Drawer Chest

£463.00

Radley 6 Drawer Chest - Surf White

£319.00

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How to Choose the Right Chest of Drawers: A Practical Buying Guide

Choosing the right chest of drawers involves four decisions made in the right order — size configuration, drawer count, finish, and placement. Work through them sequentially and the choice becomes significantly clearer.

Step 1: Establish the available wall space. Measure the wall width where the chest will stand, subtract 5–10cm for fitting clearance on each side, and that gives your maximum chest width. Note the floor depth in front — you need at least 50–60cm of clear floor space for drawers to open fully and items to be retrieved comfortably. Also measure the ceiling height at the position if you're considering a tall chest — check that the total height clears any overhead constraints.

Step 2: Choose the right size configuration. If wall width is limited but ceiling height is available, a tall chest of drawers maximises drawer count in the tightest footprint. If wall width is generous and a generous top surface is wanted, a large chest of drawers provides the most drawer capacity per piece. If depth as well as width is constrained, a narrow chest of drawers at 30–40cm deep suits alcoves, hallways, and tight bedroom positions. A standard 4-drawer chest at 70–80cm wide suits most primary bedrooms as the main folded storage alongside a hanging wardrobe.

Step 3: Choose the right drawer count. One to two drawers per adult is a practical minimum — three per person is comfortable. A 4-drawer chest suits a single adult with moderate clothing volume or a guest room. A 5-drawer chest suits a single adult with a higher clothing volume. A 6-drawer chest suits two adults sharing, or a single adult who needs comprehensive organised storage. More than 6 drawers typically requires a tall configuration — the tallboy or tall chest format.

Step 4: Choose the finish. The chest of drawers finish should coordinate with the surrounding bedroom furniture — primarily the wardrobe and bedside tables. White is the most light-reflective and widely purchased finish. Grey is the most contemporary neutral. Oak brings natural warmth. Black makes the boldest statement. Consistency of finish across the bedroom's main pieces creates coherence; mismatched finish families create a room that looks assembled rather than considered.

Shop by Chest of Drawers Configuration

Navigate directly to the right size and format for your room:

Tall Chest of Drawers — vertically stacked 5 to 7-drawer designs (tallboys) that maximise drawer storage within a compact wall footprint. Typically 50–70cm wide × 100–140cm tall. The right choice when wall width is limited but ceiling height allows. Suits alcoves, tight bedroom walls, and rooms where floor area is at a premium.

Large Chest of Drawers — wide, generous configurations of 90–120cm width providing 4 to 6 drawers with generous individual drawer dimensions. The right choice for master bedrooms where two adults share drawer storage or where a single comprehensive piece is preferred over multiple smaller ones. Also described as wide, double, or extra large chest of drawers.

Narrow Chest of Drawers — slim-width or slim-depth designs for rooms where standard chest dimensions won't fit. Includes 30cm-deep designs for hallways and alcoves, 40–60cm-wide designs for tight bedroom walls, and slimline configurations combining reduced width and depth. Suits bedrooms, hallways, and landings where a standard chest would project too far into the available space.

6 Drawer Chest of Drawers — the maximum standard drawer count in a single freestanding chest. Available in tall narrow and wide low-profile configurations. Suits master bedrooms shared by two adults, solo adults with high clothing volumes, and rooms where the chest is the primary storage piece with no wardrobe drawer section.

Shop by Chest of Drawers Finish

Already know the finish you want? Navigate directly:

White Chest of Drawers — the most light-reflective and most widely purchased finish. Available in matt and high-gloss surfaces across tall, wide, slim, and large configurations. Suits the broadest range of bedroom schemes — from contemporary to traditional — and is particularly effective in smaller or north-facing bedrooms where maximising brightness is a priority. Includes white gloss, large white, tall white, and slim white options.

Oak Chest of Drawers — natural warmth and material substance that painted finishes can't replicate. Available in solid oak, oak veneer, and oak effect across light, dark, and rustic tones. Coordinates naturally with warm wood floors, linen textiles, and earthy bedroom palettes. Includes solid oak, light oak, dark oak, oak tallboy, and large oak options.

Grey Chest of Drawers — the most versatile neutral; available across light, mid, and dark grey tones in matt and gloss finishes, including grey and oak combination designs. Coordinates naturally with upholstered bed frames and the warm wood tones common in UK primary bedrooms. Includes grey gloss, dark grey, grey and oak top, and tall grey options.

Black Chest of Drawers — the most confident and deliberate finish. Available in matt, gloss, and solid wood across tall, wide, slim, and narrow configurations. Suits rooms with pale walls, warm wood flooring, and warm brass or gold accessories. Includes matt black, black gloss, tall black, and black with gold handle options.

Chest of Drawers Dimensions at a Glance

Use this as a quick reference before measuring your room and browsing individual products:

Standard chest of drawers: 70–80cm wide × 45–50cm deep × 80–90cm tall. The most common configuration — suits most primary and guest bedrooms with moderate storage needs.

Tall chest of drawers (tallboy): 50–70cm wide × 40–50cm deep × 100–140cm tall. Maximum drawer count in the narrowest wall footprint — suits tight walls and compact rooms.

Large/wide chest of drawers: 90–120cm wide × 45–55cm deep × 80–110cm tall. Maximum drawer capacity per piece — suits master bedrooms and two-adult storage requirements.

Narrow/slim chest of drawers: 40–60cm wide × 30–40cm deep × 75–110cm tall. The most compact configuration — suits hallways, alcoves, and rooms where standard depth won't fit.

Allow 5–10cm fitting clearance on each side of the chest. Allow 50–60cm of clear floor space in front for drawers to open fully. Check overhead clearance for tall chests against window sills, sloped ceilings, or shelves.

A chest of drawers works best as part of a considered bedroom storage arrangement. A wardrobe handles hanging clothing; the chest handles folded items. A wardrobe with drawers consolidates both in a single piece — worth considering for rooms where wall space is genuinely limited. Bedside tables provide nightly-use surface and small storage on each side of the bed. A dressing table provides a dedicated getting-ready surface. A mirror above the chest adds depth and light — and provides the full-length mirror function that most bedrooms need.

Browse the complete bedroom furniture collection to plan the full room. Every Airedale Living chest of drawers comes with free UK delivery and arrives flat-pack with all fixings and instructions included.

Browse the full chest of drawers collection above — and find the configuration that makes your bedroom storage work properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

A chest of drawers is a freestanding bedroom storage piece consisting of multiple horizontal drawers stacked vertically within a frame. Drawers slide out horizontally to provide access to folded clothing, accessories, and bedroom essentials stored within. Unlike a wardrobe — which provides hanging rail storage for items that crease when folded — a chest of drawers is specifically designed for folded clothing: underwear, socks, t-shirts, knitwear, jeans, and similar items that suit compartment rather than hanging storage. Most bedrooms benefit from both: a wardrobe for hanging and a chest of drawers for folded items.

It depends on the configuration. A standard chest of drawers is typically 80–90cm tall — approximately waist to lower chest height for most adults, making all drawers easily accessible from a standing position. A tall chest of drawers or tallboy is typically 100–140cm tall — upper drawers are at or above eye level and are best suited to less frequently accessed items. A wide or large chest of drawers in a low-profile configuration may be as short as 75–80cm. Always check the specific height on the individual product page, and measure the clearance above the intended position before ordering a tall chest.

A standard UK chest of drawers is approximately 70–80cm wide × 45–50cm deep × 80–90cm tall. This is the most common configuration and the one that suits most primary and guest bedrooms with moderate storage needs. Within this standard, individual drawer internal dimensions are typically 55–65cm usable width × 35–45cm deep × 15–20cm height. Always check exact dimensions on individual product pages — "standard" is a relative term and specific models vary meaningfully within the general range. Before ordering, measure the available wall width (subtract 5–10cm for fitting clearance) and the floor depth in front (minimum 50–60cm needed for drawers to open fully).

The top surface of a chest of drawers is one of the most useful secondary surfaces in a bedroom — and the most effective arrangements treat it as a deliberate styling opportunity rather than a landing zone for miscellaneous items. A bedside lamp provides practical lighting and creates visual height. A mirror leaning against the wall above or wall-mounted above the chest provides the full-length mirror function and adds depth. A small tray groups daily-use items (jewellery, watch, keys) in an organised way. A plant or small vase adds natural colour and texture. The general principle: keep it curated rather than accumulated — two or three intentional items look considered; five or more items in varying scales look cluttered.

Chest of drawers dimensions vary significantly by configuration. A standard 4-drawer chest is typically 70–80cm wide × 45–50cm deep × 80–90cm tall. A tall chest or tallboy is typically 50–70cm wide × 40–50cm deep × 100–140cm tall. A large or wide chest is typically 90–120cm wide × 45–55cm deep × 80–110cm tall. A narrow or slim chest is typically 40–60cm wide × 30–40cm deep × 75–110cm tall. Always check exact external dimensions on individual product pages — these are representative ranges. For planning purposes, also check the internal drawer dimensions (usable width, depth, and height) as these determine what actually fits in each drawer.