What have you done with a chest of drawers?

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What have you done with a chest of drawers?

(15 posts) (14 voices)

Started 2 years ago by Mid America Mom
Latest reply from suzjazz
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Mid America Mom
Member

While responding to Sky's post on getting rid of a piece of heirloom furniture - http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/getting-rid-of-furniture - I mentioned versatility.

When I was younger I had a lingerie chest, a desk with hutch on top, and a two drawer dresser in the bedroom. My parents purchased a summer place and we needed storage in the bedroom. They choose my 2 drawer chest and when they sold the place it went with it. Even after all these years I wish I still had that chest.

I feel a chest of drawers can be your most versatile piece, if you have the right size. This attractive piece is not all about the storage but that top as well. The 2/3 drawers and sized about 3 by 1.5 feet and about 3 feet high type can go ANYWHERE in the home.

I bet I am not the only one who has clued into this. What have you done with a chest of drawers OUTSIDE the bedroom?

Posted 2 years ago #
Another Deb
Member

I have a beautiful dresser inside my front door that holds DVD's in one drawer, all of my rubber stamps in another, and music tapes in the top shallow drawers. It came from a thrift store and was missing a top, so I made one and covered it with tile. The tile adds to the effect that is is not just a piece of a bedroom suite.

Posted 2 years ago #
opadit
Member

I have an antique chest of drawers in my livingroom. From top to bottom, the drawers are:

- DVDs and videos
- knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitch gear
- photos in boxes and albums, and old paper calendars and agendas of mine
- emergency preparedness stuff (candles, matches)
- my mom's wicked stepmother's china, which I'm trying to sell

I'm in a small 2-bedroom condo apartment with no attic or basement, where I might otherwise store the china, old calendars, and the bulk of the candles and matches.

It's a large chest of drawers and includes four small drawers separating the top two from the bottom three drawers. I think it was originally a linen chest, and the small drawers were meant for silverware. It's not a family piece, but it's unusual in its design and I'm happy I "got custody" of it after the divorce.

Posted 2 years ago #
toberead
Member

I have a chest of drawers next to my front door (I'm not the only one with that idea!) The top drawers store scarves, gloves, flashlight, extra umbrellas, "go" bag, and other things I might need when I'm heading out the door. In the middle drawers I store shipping supplies and books I have listed for sale or trade on Amazon or Paperback Swap. In the bottom drawers I store books and DVD's. The top is where I put letters to be mailed, my keys, my purse, etc.

I also have a tall, narrow chest of drawers in a corner of my office where I keep office supplies. The top two drawers are shallow and they're great for pens, pads, rolls of tape, etc. The bottom drawers are deep and are great for paper, larger pads, file folders, etc. It's a very efficient way to store them - out of sight but easy to access when needed.

Posted 2 years ago #
nws2002
Member

I have two pedestal sinks side by side in the master bathroom. There was no storage besides the medicine cabinets.

There was just enough space to put a small chest of drawers between the sinks. I replaced the top with a slab of marble, which was a cheap remnant I got from the same place that did the counters in my kitchen. The top drawer holds the larger toiletries that won't fit in the medicine cabinet, and the bottom two drawers hold extra towels.

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

That sounds pretty, nws! Do you have a photo to share?

Posted 2 years ago #
Sheryl
Member

I have a thrifted dresser in my kitchen that I use to store kitchen linens, dog paraphernalia, gardening gloves, and assorted and sundry other items.

My cookbooks sit on top of it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Maura
Member

Mine, also in the front entry way, has three drawers.

Top-drawer has rolls of wrapping paper, that are actually corralled in a cheap plastic tray used for wall-papering. Behind the tray is tissue paper, bows, etc.

Middle-drawer has seldom-used (seasonal) cake pans, candy molds, cookie-cutters, cupcake papers, cake-decor items, etc.

Bottom-drawer has paper / party goods, banners, birthday candles, holiday paper plates, napkins, etc.

On top is a lamp, and a silver tray made by my great-grandfather. Mail sometimes lands here, but for the most part, it is empty. Attractive -- and functional, if need be.

Posted 2 years ago #
lazycow
Member

I've gotten rid of so much stuff this year that I've actually sold 2 chest of drawers!

Posted 1 year ago #
foilhead1
Member

For my dresser, I actually use an antique sideboard or buffet in my bedroom. I have used it in other areas of the house as well...for crafts, tv etc. It's versatile with deep drawers and two doors. Even though I only paid $75(a killer deal) for this piece, I have chose to keep it because it is solid wood and beautiful. It will last forever compared to some box furniture just purchased to fill one need. Reading all your ideas for chest of drawers, it just makes sense to purchase or reuse a good quality piece of furniture. (btw, I will be placing a small dresser by my front door now.)

Posted 1 year ago #
EraserGirl
Member

i gave it away. felt good too.

Posted 1 year ago #
lazycow
Member

Having said that, I'd *love* a tallboy chest of drawers: very narrow, with about 10 drawers to put all those pesky bits and pieces (like mini screwdrivers, paperwork, spare keys, buttons, etc) in.

Posted 1 year ago #
spicykissa
Member

We use a small four-drawer thing about the size of a nightstand for my fiance's cables. From top to bottom: audio cables, data cables, power cables, and power adapters. Post-decluttering so they would all fit, it looks really nice in the closet.

Posted 1 year ago #
pkilmain
Member

@spicykissa. Great idea, chargers and their related cables are the bane of my existence - well, one of them. I hate being tethered to my electronics, but the fact is I am, and I need to find a way to deal with the chargers. I especially hate that I have to have so many when I travel (cell phone, camera battery, MP3/iPod) and then if I need the camera cable/card reader, well you get the picture. When I'm queen, there will be a universal charger! :)

Posted 1 year ago #
suzjazz
Member

Anyone want an old chest of drawers? :-)
I emptied it recently and it's sitting upstairs with more clutter on top that I plan to give away or sell. I tried to interest an antiques dealer but after she saw the photo she said she has tons of stuff just like it that she can't sell.
BF and I have a large set of drawers from IKEA in our very small bedroom. Besides the empty old bureau, I also have a pretty antique bureau painted white in which I keep out of season clothing.

Posted 1 year ago #

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