Dressers come in roughly a dozen distinct types, each defined by its layout, height, and storage mix, so the right pick depends on your space and what you need to store.
Choosing among the types of dressers for bedroom storage is really a question of floor plan and wardrobe. A wide, low piece suits a master suite; a tall, narrow one fits a tight corner. Below is the breakdown of every common style, what each does best, and the trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.
The Main Dresser Types and What Each Is For
Dressers are distinguished less by brand than by form. The horizontal (or standard) dresser is the classic wide, low-profile piece with two to three rows of drawers. The double dresser is simply its wider cousin, typically holding two vertical columns and often six or more drawers total — enough for two people’s everyday clothes.
For tighter spaces, the vertical dresser, also called a chest of drawers or tall dresser, stacks its drawers in a single column to save floor space. The tallboy and highboy take that logic further, standing as chest-on-chest designs with five to seven drawers or stacked upper and lower sections.
The main styles break down roughly as follows:
- Horizontal / standard dresser — wide and low, two to three rows of drawers.
- Double dresser — extra-wide standard with two drawer columns, often six-plus drawers.
- Vertical dresser / chest of drawers — tall and narrow, a single stacked column.
- Combo dresser — mixes drawers with cabinet doors, shelves, or a wardrobe section.
- Tallboy / highboy — tall chest focused on vertical storage.
- Lowboy — short and wide, often three to six drawers, sometimes used as a vanity.
- Gentleman’s chest — drawers plus a wardrobe cabinet or hanging section.
- Lingerie chest / semainier — tall, narrow, with many small drawers (often six or seven).
- Bachelor’s chest — compact, two to four drawers, occasionally doubling as a nightstand.
- Media dresser — built to hold a TV or entertainment gear alongside clothes.
- Nursery / changing-table dresser — a dresser with a changing surface for baby care.
Picking by Bedroom Size and Storage Mix
For a shared or master bedroom, a wide horizontal or double dresser spreads out drawers within easy reach. Small floor plans favor vertical dressers and tallboys, which claim little footprint while still holding a season’s worth of folded clothes. Combo dressers and gentleman’s chests earn their place when you need drawers plus hanging space or shelving in one piece.
Compact forms handle specific jobs. Lingerie chests and bachelor’s chests suit guest rooms, tight apartments, or as a bedside supplement — the bachelor’s chest is compact enough to double as a nightstand. Media dressers trade some drawer capacity for a spot to hold a television or sound system, so they work best when you want a bedroom media setup without a separate stand.
If you are ready to compare finished options side by side, the best bedroom dresser set roundup covers tested picks for these layouts.
| Dresser Type | Best For | Key Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal / standard | Master and shared bedrooms | Wide footprint for the drawer count |
| Double dresser | Couples with lots of folded clothes | Heavy; needs solid wall clearance |
| Vertical / chest of drawers | Small floors, tall ceilings | Tip-prone if not anchored |
| Combo dresser | Mixed storage needs | Fewer drawers than a standard |
| Tallboy / highboy | Maximizing vertical space | Top drawers sit very high |
| Lowboy | Low-profile or vanity use | Shallow storage capacity |
| Gentleman’s chest | Adding a hanging rod | Bulkier than a plain dresser |
| Lingerie / semainier | Many small items | Too narrow for bulky sweaters |
| Bachelor’s chest | Tight spots, nightstand duty | Only a few drawers |
| Media dresser | Bedroom TV setups | Loses drawer space to electronics |
| Nursery / changing table | Baby care and storage | Top must fit a changing pad safely |
Safety and Practical Caveats
Tall styles — vertical dressers, tallboys, and highboys — are the most tip-prone, especially in a child’s room or with heavy items in the top drawers. Anchoring the piece to the wall is the standard fix. A nursery or changing-table dresser is only safe for diaper changes if its top surface properly accommodates a changing pad; the dresser itself is not automatically a certified changing table, so check the manufacturer’s guidance. Media and combo dressers often give up drawer capacity for cabinet or equipment space, so count the drawers you actually need before choosing one.
Home Stratosphere’s visual guide to dresser types shows what each style looks like in a finished room.
References & Sources
- Home Stratosphere. “25 Types of Dressers.” Visual breakdown of dresser forms and typical drawer layouts.
- Castlery. “A Guide to The Different Types of Dressers.” Overview of dresser styles organized by storage and height.
- Wayfair. “Dresser and Chest Style Guide.” Buying guidance on dressers, chests, and their uses.
FAQs
What is the difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers?
A dresser is typically wider than it is tall, with drawers laid out side by side. A chest of drawers, also called a vertical dresser, is taller than it is wide, stacking its drawers in a single column to save floor space.
How many drawers should a bedroom dresser have?
It depends on how many people use it. A standard horizontal dresser usually has four to six drawers, which suits one person. A double dresser with six or more drawers works better for a couple sharing a master bedroom.
Are tall dressers safe for a child’s room?
Tall dressers are tip-prone and should always be anchored to the wall, especially in a child’s room. It is also wise to keep heavy items in lower drawers to lower the center of gravity.