Best dressers that balance classic grace with forward-thinking functionality and storage solutions

last updated 10 April 2022

Our best dressers are the ultimate proof that storage doesn't need to be drab. Available in a rainbow of colours and with pretty details such as marble shelves and etched glass doors, they are the ultimate standalone storage solution.

Get every aspect of the room just right with our kitchen ideas

First used in the 18th century, dressers got their name from the 'table' where meats were prepared – or 'dressed'. Typically, they would consist of a base containing drawers and cupboards, with a small work surface above, and then an open rack where plates and crockery were stored.

Not much has changed since then. Though more and more, that open rack has been substituted for glass cabinets, where items can be stored safely.

white dresser filled with coloured crockery

Before you buy, decide what you want from your dresser, and where it will live in your home. Lots of designs feature added extras, such as a wine rack, pull-out baskets for vegetables, or a marble shelf you can use for food prep. Some even have space for a dog bed!

If space isn't an issue, choose a large-scale dresser to create a real style statement. It will look especially stunning in generous open-plan living spaces, as a showcase for your best china and elegant glassware. Limited on space? Opt for a compact design with more concealed storage so that clutter is hidden away.

dresser in kitchen behind table and chair

If you're locating your dresser in a kitchen, it's not essential that the dresser matches your cabinetry, but it should complement it. Choosing a dresser in a contrasting shade gives the kitchen a bespoke feel and makes it more of statement piece of furniture.

Consider the current trend for darker shades of navy and green to really add a wow factor – it's less of a commitment than painting the kitchen cabinetry.

white dresser next window and white table and sofa bench

There are no rules to say kitchen dressers always have to stay in the kitchen. The more stylish designs we've picked would work perfectly in the dining room, too. From an on-trend dark design to traditional pine, we've found a dresser to suit all tastes.

Take a peek and open the doors and drawers on our round-up of freestanding, bespoke, tall, wide and compact options. Which one will suit your kitchen best?

1. Provence dresser, Cox & Cox

Tall and striking!

Specifications

Dimensions: H212 x W155 x D45cm

This warm wood, the storage-savvy centrepiece features a glass-fronted, two-door cabinet at the top, a wide, shallow shelf and six petite drawers to the mid-section, and a full sideboard as the base.

Provence dresser, £1,595, Cox & Cox

2. Oxford medium dresser, The Painted Furniture Company

This open-shelf option has three useful drawers.

Specifications

Dimensions: H189.6 x W140 x D46cm

It provides an opportunity for both hoarding and showboating, letting you keep items tactfully hidden away or extrovertly on show!

Oxford medium dresser with open shelves and three drawers in Little Boy Blue, £1,365, The Painted Furniture Company

3. Chawton dresser in Snow, Neptune

Choose from ready-to-go combinations or pick-and-mix a few coordinating pieces.

Create your ideal bespoke storage solution with the flexibility of free-standing modular pieces that create an illusion of sophisticated, fitted cabinetry.

Chawton dresser in Snow, price on request, Neptune