Creativity

The Most Versatile Piece of Furniture

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Dressers are not just for bedrooms.

I’ve been amazed at how hard this small white dresser has worked for our family.  It started out as a changing table in the nursery and has now been in every room of our house.  Yes, the kitchen.  Yes, the bathroom.  Even the closet.  In our home we have 3 dressers downstairs, not in bedrooms, and they hold everything from board games to bills to wrapping paper.  I can’t imagine how I would store things if I didn’t use dressers.

Not only do dressers store all sorts of ugly things, they look pretty.  Top a dresser with a pair of lamps and you have instant elegance.  If a dresser is looking old, all it takes is an afternoon and a small paint roller and paint and maybe even some new knobs and you have a brand new updated piece.  Look around, is there a place in your home where a dresser could be serving you?

This post is part of an ongoing series 31 Days To a Less Messy Nest you can read the other posts here.


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The Nester
About the Author

Myquillyn Smith, The Nester, is a home stager, redesigner and design school drop-out. Her last home (a rental) was featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Cottages & Bungalows, Ladies' Home Journal and in her upcoming design philosphy book, The Nesting Place: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful....

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  3. You are the one who put me on the hunt for a dresser a while ago. When I saw your pretty storage areas I was hooked. But I’ve not had any luck finding one at a reasonable price so far. I’m still looking though. I’m prowling thrift stores and yard sales. Thanks for the great idea.

    • You are so right! My husband and I recently moved and I overestimated the amount of closet space in our new apt. I’ve been thinking of where and how to store my crafting stuff when I read your post and it hit me – a dresser! That would be awesome and pretty enough for my living room! I am starting my hunt now…

  4. I have two dresser currently downstairs in our home and love them! One is an old dresser of my Granny’s I refinished and it houses all of our smaller board games, decks of cards, etc in our library. The other is in our family room. It holds our phone charges, ipods, extra candles, and some of my seasonal decor (it keeps it within easy reach for a quick change).

  5. I’ve been on the hunt for a good thrifty dresser for months now. Unfortunately, our SA and GW have been way over-pricing things. After adding in paint and supplies, it would be too pricey. So I am being patient. I know the right piece will come…I just hope it’s soon, ’cause I have a lotta stuff to hide in there. 😉

  10. Nester, after seeing your dressers awhile back, it hit me that the fancy buffet that I had been wishing for in my kitchen was not all that different from our dresser in the guest bedroom. You are brilliant. Thanks for your blog and great ideas.

  11. The best thing I did in this house was bring a dresser out of a bedroom and start using it for more useful things. It has been in the eating area and the living room and I just love how useful and functional it is now. Kid art supplies in the top drawers, baskets with kid toys in the middle drawer and my table linens in the bottom drawer.

  13. I’m so excited, Goodwill just opened in my remote little town (yesterday).. I’ve missed it so after living near cities most of my life. NOW I can find furniture (like dressers) that I can hide things in. They are especially useful when you live in a small space like I do.

  15. Totally agree! Dressers are the best! We’re moving soon and I want to put a small-ish one in the entryway so I have a place to dump my purse when I get home. 🙂

  16. Wanna know a secret?
    I have a dresser fetish!
    Can’t get enough of the things!!!
    Great post…you’ve got me inspired to go search for another one! 🙂

    Layla

  17. Oh, Nester, I love the way you make beauty and simplicity seem possible for all of us–even those who hyperventilate at the thought of decorating (um, that would be me). Thanks for bringing so much lovely to all our lives. You are wonderful!

  18. My brother converted an antique dresser for the sink base when they remodeled their bathroom – it is quite charming! I used to have an old dresser in a rental kitchen that was short on counter space and storage. I’m in the process now of remodeling a kitchen – and I hate cabinets – especially corner ones. I am only using a base for the sink and then open shelves – that will have baskets (I think), and I’ll have a counter height table for a center Island, but for extra storage, I think I’ll look for a dresser I can paint – thanks for reminding me how great dressers are for other than the original intended use!

  21. I am actually currently on the hunt for THREE dressers that I need in three separate areas of my house. I learned from you, the awesome Nester, just how versatile a dresser can be! So, wish me luck on my hunt!

  22. Must start hunting for the perfect dresser for a little nook downstairs! I was just thinking, “Where would be a good clutter-free place for my Bible study stuff and my daughter’s (and eventually son’s) homeschooling items. A dresser. How delightfully simple.

    You bless me.

  23. We have a dresser in tiny our kitchen (which has NO storage) for towels and dishcloths, one in the family room for crafts. That thing holds a TON of beads, paintbrushes, crochet hooks, embroidery thread, crayons, paper and canvas, sewing implements, patterns, and stuff I can’t even think of right off the bat!

  26. I am wondering if I will ever find the two dressers I am looking for to use downstairs. I have been looking for months and months and nothing yet but I know that patience always pays off. I want one for my dining room to use as a buffet/server and to store dishes and linens and I want a small one for my entertainment equiptment near my fireplace. I owe it all to Nester for showing me how perfectly a dresser can work anywhere in your home and now I just can’t wait to find the right one!

  28. I have a dresser in my entry for all sorts of things. And another graces the playroom for games, cards, etc.

    I love the idea of using one in a craft room!

  29. Honest to goodness, I could use dressers of different sizes in just about every room in my home!
    They are the greatest thing ever for storage and when those drawers are closed, nothing is showing. I’m amazingly organized and not a thing in my house is ever out of place…HA! Only the drawers and me know for sure.

  36. Just about to get rid of an ugly old brown dresser that takes up to much space.But, No, Now I have found the perfect place for little ones arts and crafts. Just need to find the time to paint it a pretty color! thanks for the great idea!