8 best chests of drawers to organise your clothes in style

How many of us have been meaning to start on the journey of decluttering our homes? Sometimes, the only thing holding us back is not knowing where to start.

But decluttering starts with storage – and the first step should be a good quality chest of drawers to fit your bedroom, living room, dining space or hallway.

Whether it’s a tall chest to fit into a thin space, or an extra-large set for the master bedroom, there is a chest of drawers out there to suit all storage needs. And if you’re after something that can replace a sideboard, a wide and short unit should do the trick.

Beyond its obvious functionality, a chest of drawers also provides a handy surface. Think about that dressing table mirror in the bedroom, the trinket dish in the hallway, or the table lamp in the living room. You’ll inevitably top yours with all of your favourite things.

Whether you plump for a traditional chest of drawers or one that’s a little more contemporary, look for top-notch materials such as solid oak or teak, and top-quality craftsmanship. Dovetail joints in the drawers are a good indicator of superior woodwork – this is a furniture piece that’s in constant use, so you’ll want it to last.

How we tested

We put our top chests to the test, looking for great design and functionality, good storage capacity and, importantly, bang for our buck.

The best chest of drawers for 2022 are:

• Best overall – Noa & Nani Otto chest of drawers, 6-drawer, in silk grey: £183.20, Noaandnani.co.uk

• Best for affordable style – Dunelm Bromley grey 3-drawer chest: £229, Dunelm.com

• Best for modern warmth – Tikamoon Milano solid teak chest of drawers: £1,079, Tikamoon.co.uk

• Best for maximalists – Oliver Bonas new boys’ Hemsworth blue mango wood chest of drawers: £595, Oliverbonas.com

• Best for minimalists – OnBuy Narvik 6-drawer chest of drawers, gloss white: £981, OnBuy.com

• Best for smaller spaces – Oak Furnitureland Bevel natural solid oak 5-drawer tallboy: £344.99, Oakfurnitureland.co.uk

• Best for industrial glam – Atkin & Thyme Toshi chest of drawers: £599, Atkinandthyme.co.uk

• Best for boho bedrooms – Made Pavia wide chest of drawers, natural rattan and whitewashed oak effect: £595, Made.com

Noa & Nani Otto chest of drawers

The Otto is one handsome piece of furniture, with its colour-contrasted natural wood, warm silky grey, and sharp, contemporary shaping. The chest comes flatpacked and is crafted from a mix of pine and metal, while its sleek design allows the drawers to pull out easily without fussy handles interrupting its smooth frontage. We loved the way the hefty chest seemingly floats on its disconnected angled legs – on closer inspection, you’ll find hidden metal brackets holding it firmly in place. This is a generously wide chest, with six even, spacious and unusually deep drawers, making it suitable for bedrooms, living spaces and modern hallways alike.

Buy now £183.20, Noaandnani.co.uk

Dunelm Bromley grey 3-drawer chest

Simple in design, Dunelm’s three-drawer chest caught our attention for its attractive natural wooden top that contrasts with its light grey painted body. This affordable number comes ready assembled, save for the chrome knobs – music to the ears of the flatpack-averse. The chest is made from a mix of solid oak, pine, oak veneers, MDF and plywood, and its quality is palpable. The Bromley proves a smart addition to the bedroom – the larger bottom drawer is perfect for chunky knitwear. It is solid and sturdy, and ultimately looks and feels much more expensive than it is.

Buy now £229.00, Dunelm.com

Tikamoon milano solid teak chest of drawers

This chest is almost too beautiful to be hidden away in the bedroom; rather, you’ll want to show it off in your living space. That said, its combination of six smaller drawers and four larger ones makes it ideal for storing clothing, from accessories and undies to jeans and chunky jumpers. Crafted from solid teak in a mid-toned honey, the Milano offers a wonderfully warming effect in any room. This one’s all about the natural swirling wood grain, and to celebrate Mother Nature’s own design, it’s kept pleasingly handle-free – simply pull each drawer out smoothly from underneath. At just over £1,000, the chest is not cheap, but it is top quality and makes a statement.

Buy now £1079.00, Tikamoon.co.uk

Oliver Bonas new boys’ Hemsworth blue mango wood chest of drawers

We loved this eccentric-looking chest for its quirky mix of materials: dark stained mango wood is paired with woven cane sheeting, while the top drawer is painted teal for a contrasting colour pop. Even the handles contrast, with a mix of gold brass and crackle-glazed ceramic, with sleek pull handles on the bottom three drawers and circular knobs on the top. But beyond its aesthetic appeal – undoubtedly one for maximalists – this is a beautifully handcrafted piece with ample storage space. Functional, but bursting with character.

Buy now £595.00, Oliverbonas.com

OnBuy narvik 6-drawer chest of drawers, gloss white

It’s a well-known interior design trick that white furniture can give the illusion of extra space, whereas darker pieces can easily overwhelm a smaller room. With its gloss-white melamine finish on the drawers, this chest also offers a sleek exterior that reflects the light beautifully. Nice and wide, the Narvik chest boasts six evenly sized, deep drawers with durable metal runners that allow for a smooth action, while its handle-free design keeps the piece clean-lined and contemporary. Fashioned from MDF but well-crafted and super stylish, we were impressed with this affordable chest.

While the gloss white is out of stock, you can sign up to be notified when it’s back. Alternatively, the matt white colourway is still available to buy now, and costs significantly less (£125.30, Onbuy.com).

Buy now £981.00, Onbuy.com

Oak Furnitureland Bevel natural solid oak 5-drawer tallboy

This is a brand that prides itself on high-quality woodwork and pieces that are made from 100 per cent solid oak – including the backs and drawer interiors, which other furniture-makers typically skimp on. To form, Oak Furnitureland’s Bevel tallboy is a natural beauty with its blonde oak grain on full show. Add to that faultless dovetail carpentry joints and you have one beautifully crafted piece. The five-drawer chest is finished with contemporary brushed metal handles and comes polished in a clear wax for a lovely, smooth finish. It is, of course, a great floor space-saver, but it offers ample storage, too.

Buy now £344.99, Oakfurnitureland.co.uk

Atkin & Thyme toshi chest of drawers

This three-drawer chest is fashioned from a rich mango wood with a raw and distressed finish, while its middle drawer stands out with a cement front complete with inlaid brass chevrons. Add to that the slim, tapered brass legs and you have a statement piece that deftly mixes glamour with industrial. On the functional side, it boasts a trio of deep, wide and evenly sized drawers that open and close via a discreet brass bar that runs across the width of each one. We found the Toshi chest works best in sociable spaces like the living room or dining room – it’s a showpiece, after all.

Buy now £599.00, Atkinandthyme.co.uk

Made Pavia wide chest of drawers

For a laidback bohemian look in the bedroom, Made’s Pavia chest hits all the right notes. It’s crafted from engineered wood that’s painted to resemble whitewashed oak, while its woven rattan drawer fronts make a pretty contrast and its dainty brass pull handles are a stylish design detail. Elevated on pole-like wooden legs, this substantial chest boasts six evenly sized drawers that offer ample storage space. Well-made and design-led, we loved this one for its pleasing symmetry and relaxed feel.

Buy now £595.00, Made.com

The verdict: Chests of drawers

Noa & Nani’s Otto got our top marks for its sleek, contemporary design and its generously wide and deep drawers. This is a flatpack piece, but that’s reflected in the affordable price. Once assembled, it looks and feels every bit a high-end chest of drawers. We also loved Tikamoon’s Milano solid teak chest of drawers for its quality of craftsmanship and its contemporary but altogether homely look.

For more storage inspiration, we’ve also found the best clothes rails