dresser

A dresser is a piece of furniture primarily used for storing clothing and personal items. In many households it refers to a chest of drawers—a low, long cabinet with several horizontal drawers. The top surface is often used for folding clothes, displaying belongings, or placing a mirror.

Regional variations exist. In North America, the term dresser most commonly means a bedroom chest of drawers, frequently with a mirror attached to or resting on the back edge. In parts of Europe, the word dresser can describe a taller cabinet with cupboards and open shelves, sometimes serving as a dining-room sideboard or a kitchen storage unit, and may be paired with a mirror above in a traditional “dresser” setup.

Common variants include the highboy and lowboy, which are tall and short versions with multiple drawers, and the bureau, historically a chest of drawers that may include a writing surface or a slant-top. A dressing table or vanity is a narrower form designed for personal grooming and often includes a mirror.

Materials and construction: dressers are typically built from solid wood or wood composites, with drawer fronts and sides joined by dovetails or other traditional methods. Drawers use guides or rollers, and hardware consists of handles or knobs. Finishes range from natural wood stains to painted or veneered surfaces.

History and use: dressers emerged in Europe in the 17th–18th centuries as private storage furniture and evolved into common bedroom storage. They remain widely used for organized storage and as a functional surface in bedrooms and other rooms.

Care: regular dusting and occasional polishing help preserve wood; avoid excess moisture and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.