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8 guides on choosing the best chest of drawers

A chest of drawers is one of the most practical furniture pieces for Malaysian bedrooms, especially in condos and apartments where space is limited. More than just a drawer cabinet, it helps organise everyday essentials like work clothes, kids’ wear, headscarves, skincare, and accessories, while keeping the room tidy and easy to live in. 

With the right design, a chest of drawers can also double as a dressing table, side cabinet, or multi-purpose storage unit, making it a smart solution for modern homes.

A bedroom with blue floor and white walls. Focus on RÅDMANSÖ chest of drawers in walnut, with mirror and decorations on top.

Go bold or keep it neutral

Choosing the right chest drawer cabinet starts with the look. Bold designs, such as chest drawers with solid wood pieces with dark finishes or thicker frames, work well in larger bedrooms or landed homes, where they can stand out without overwhelming the space.

For condo bedrooms, lighter colours, slim profiles, and clean lines are often the better choice. They help reflect light and make compact rooms feel more open. This works especially well with common Malaysian flooring like tiles, laminate, or vinyl, which already create a bright base.

Drawer layouts for every bedroom

Some drawer cabinets are designed to stand alone, while others work best placed side by side as a longer storage unit, similar to a low side cabinet.

In smaller condos, a single tall and slim chest helps maximise vertical space without taking up too much floor area. In larger master bedrooms, wider drawer units placed along a wall offer more storage and surface space. Flat-sided designs are ideal if you plan to place more than one unit together for a neat, cohesive look.

Three TONSTAD chests with 6 drawers along a beige wall with a MODERMOLN lamp and a plant in a KLARBÄR plant pot with saucer.
Close-up of wardrobe with sliding doors, one of the drawers inside pulled out showing the neat order with KOMPLEMENT boxes.

Handles, legs & details that change everything

Details make a big difference. Handle styles can change the overall feel, from modern and minimal to more classic or bold.

Legged drawer units are practical for most homes, as they make floor cleaning easier, especially useful for dust and hair. Taller models, like a 3-tier drawer, also feel lighter visually. Floor-standing drawers, on the other hand, provide extra stability for heavier storage needs. 

A pine RAST chest of 3 drawers
Woman in jeans sitting on floor painting the side of a RAST chest of drawers with pink paint. Paper covering the floor below.
Close-up of one drawer of RAST chests of drawers pulled out to show socks and things inside. RAKLEV rug on floor below.

Size, space planning & room layouts

Before buying bedroom drawers, always measure your space carefully. This is especially important for narrow condo rooms, bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, or irregular layouts.

For small rooms, tall and narrow bedroom chest of drawers help maximise vertical storage. Larger rooms can accommodate wider drawers that offer more storage and usable surface space. Legged furniture works well on tiled floors for easier cleaning, while floor-standing pieces feel more grounded in spacious rooms. 

RÅDMANSÖ chest of 5 drawers in a warm walnut colour, standing between a green plant and the window in a bedroom.
Close-up of RÅDMANSÖ chest of 5 drawers, with focus on brass knob and the black metal legs. Blue tile floor below.

Make the top surface functional

The top of a drawer cabinet is valuable space. Popular options like the IKEA MALM drawer are often used as a simple vanity with a mirror and lamp, spot for plants or decor, or a drop zone for bags and daily accessories.

This is especially helpful in small bedrooms or rented homes where furniture needs to be multi-functional. 

Bedroom with STJÄRNÖ bed frame, wallpaper in beige and white, a white HAVSTA chest of drawers with a round mirror above it.
Close-up of HAVSTA chest of drawers with a drawer pulled out to show the neat order with organizing boxes inside.

Anti tipping drawers for family safety

Safety matters, especially in family homes. Tall units such as 4 tier drawers should always be anchored to the wall to prevent tipping. It is also important to distribute weights heavenly between the clothes drawer to avoid overloading the top drawers. Regular checks help with smooth-use and durability.  

A man in green sweater, assembling a chest of drawers, making sure to anchor it to the wall to avoid tip-over accidents.

Seamless chest drawer solutions for every home

A well-chosen chest of drawers helps your home stay organised, making it easier to store clothes, accessories, and everyday essentials. It improves room flow in small spaces like condos and apartments, and adds structure and balance to larger bedrooms.

Simple design, smart storage, and the right size make all the difference.