Small Dressers, Chests and Other Alternatives: Storage Solutions for Small Bedrooms and Closets

Are you looking for a way to save space with dressers?

Or maybe you’re looking for alternatives for storing your clothes without having to use a dresser?

If so, then you’ll be happy to know that you have a lot of different choices available to you. Some choices are obvious, some are creative…

But, let’s go over the most obvious options first and then venture out into the more creative options you can choose from.

How to Save Space with Lingerie Chests

Lingerie chests are exactly what they sound like. They’re chests that are built specifically for lingerie and other light garments.

The real advantage comes with the width of these chests. You’ll notice that these particular chests are beneficial because they are tall and slender.

So, if you don’t have a lot of space width-wise but you can accommodate something tall, this type of chest might be the perfect pick for you.

You might find this works in your favor if you store your big items in your closet and want to store various small light items like socks and underwear in the lingerie chest.

Most popular choices of lingerie chests are manufactured by Prepac because they are most affordable. However, keep in mind, the compromise you make with affordability is that the chests must be assembled and are often constructed with fiberboard, particle board or other lower quality material.

So, if you’re not particular about construction, but you just want something reliable enough to get the job done, then you’ll likely want to go for this cost saving version.

A nice lingerie chest to consider is the Maple Sonoma 6 Drawer Lingerie Chest. Other colors are also available. If maple doesn’t suit you, you might want to consider black or white instead.

How to Save Space with Dressers

Dressers are still what a lot of people want in spite of the fact that they are an extremely obvious choice. And now that we’re on the subject, dressers are not to be confused with chest of drawers or what we also call dresser or drawer chests.

To clarify, a dresser is typically short and moderately wide. They are about waist-high and are often accompanied by mirrors to offset the low height.

So, the opportunity to save space comes with the low height of the dresser or by simply choosing a dresser with measurements that work specifically for your room.

Another option is to go for one with legs on the bottom. This will open up the space beneath the dresser and make your room feel less closed in. But don’t forget you could also go for a corner-styled dresser which almost always maximizes space when there’s little to spare.

Other things to consider are whether you should go for a double-wide or single-wide dresser. For most small homes this is an easy decision.

Single-wide dressers usually win out since double-wide dressers are usually twice the size of a single-wide, which typically makes them far too big for small bedrooms that are already short on space.

You’ll find that generally dressers will range around 40″W x 20″D. And as implied above, it is the low height and the legs on the dresser that will keep your room open and offer it the illusion of space saved.

So good measurements to look for are dressers that are 40 inches wide, 20 inches deep and 30 inches high. Something smaller will definitely even save you more space, and of course you’ll want to be cautious about anything that’s much bigger than that unless you are certain you can afford the room.

How to Save Space with Chests of Drawers

Chests of Drawers, or what many of us also call dresser or drawer chests, may be frequently confused with dressers by many people. However, occasionally some retailers are known to use the words interchangeably which can further contribute to the misunderstanding between the two.

Yet, the substantial difference between dressers and dresser chests is that dresser chests are typically higher and often not as wide as most dressers. You may also find many of them are chest or shoulder height. Whereas dressers are generally waist-high.

Between the two, it is common among many people to own chests of drawers over your average dresser.

Again, like dressers the option to save space with chests of drawers enters into the picture when you choose specific measurements or you go for an obvious alternative like corner-styled drawer chests.

Like dressers, you could also opt to save space by selecting chests of drawers that have legs on the bottom. In which case, you’ll find the negative space underneath will open up your room quite a bit more and give your room the illusion of space saved that is greatly needed.

In the case of chests of drawers, it’s not very easy to find a much smaller option than what exists on the market. Most drawer chests on the market generally range around the same size.

However, one I did come across that is worth considering is the Bassettbaby Natural 5-Drawer Dresser Chest. It’s made out of real wood and it is fairly small—close to the size of lingerie chests but a little bigger.

You’ll find it’s typically used for storing baby items, but that doesn’t mean anyone can’t use it. If you find it works for you, don’t let that stop you from getting it.

How to Save Space When Other Options Don’t Work

Creative options come into play when you want to choose something other than the typical or most obvious choices. These choices allow you to eliminate the use of dressers or chests altogether.

By eliminating them, you are then able to save a lot more space in your bedroom because you have one less piece of furniture in your room, and for small rooms this can make a phenomenal difference.

So what are your options?

Well, you’ve got three or four choices.

And honestly, I find it rather impossible to talk about one without talking about the others, because often making a creative decision requires that you combine your options so that you don’t depend solely on one choice to take care of all of your needs.

So keep that in mind when we discuss each option below.

Put the Chest in Your Closet
Your first and foremost choice is almost a contradiction. However, in spite of that fact, you might find the choice ideal. Say, you want a dresser chest, but don’t have room for one. If you have enough closet space or extra closet space that goes unused, you can take advantage of the situation and put your dresser chest in your closet and store your undergarments in it.

You have various options that will make this choice very plausible. You might be surprised to find out a cardboard chest, storage cart or a lingerie chest might be the perfect fit.

Lingerie chests that range about 45-50 inches high would just make it for a lot of closets. Yet, this option is quite expensive in my opinion, so I don’t recommend purchasing a lingerie chest to place in your closet unless you are able to find one with a great discount or you’re relocating and already have one.

Instead you might want to use a storage cart or cardboard chest which is much cheaper alternatives.

When choosing between a plastic or cardboard storage chest, keep in mind plastic storage carts will likely have a much sturdier structure than cardboard chests.

Another advantage with storage carts is that often the drawers are translucent so you’ll be reminded of what’s in them without having to open them up.
One I recommend in particular is the Iris Five Drawer Tall Chest.

You can store just about anything in it and it offers you the advantage of viewing things at a glance due to the translucent drawers. Another bonus is that is has wheels, which means it’s mobile.
Use a Closet System or Create Your Own
Your second choice is to use a closet system. If you use a complete closet system, then you’ll find there will be no need for a dresser in your room because not only does it offer shelving but it often doubles your closet space by taking care of the space above and beneath your clothing.

Since a closet system usually requires that you remove your existing closet rod and install a new system from scratch, this choice is typically off-limits if you’re renting a place. However, it doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck.

Consider two choices…

Use a closet system that connects to the closet rod already in your closet. This means no drilling, wall mounting, et cetera. Just simple additional shelving that can be added in a matter of minutes.

Or if you don’t like that idea you could create your own closet system through other means.

One great way to do it is by simply getting a few organizers that will do the trick. Closet organizers that you could use to create your own makeshift closet system are…
Consider placing the hanging closet shelves and hanging shoe organizer in the center of your closet and a closet doubler on each end of your closet.

Yet, before you do so, be certain to make sure your closet is wide enough and you have enough room. If not, you might have to buy one doubler instead of two or arrange things a little differently.
Use a Storage Bed
Your next option is available to you only if you’re searching for a bed and the item falls within your price range. To further assist you in eliminating the need for a dresser in your bedroom, you could utilize storage beds. These beds come with drawers and will help you store a variety of undergarments in them.

If they do not satisfy all of your storage needs, remember you can make use of other options mentioned here.
Make Your Nightstand Multi-purpose
And your last option is nightstands. If you find you have a nightstand or a nightstand set in your room but you don’t want a dresser, if they come with drawers, you can take advantage of them and store your undergarments in those.

Since nightstands are so small it would difficult to store all of your undergarments in them, the need for something else will likely come into play.

What Does This Mean to You?

We’ve discussed all of the options you have if your bedroom doesn’t have much space. Lingerie chests will work great for you if you’re looking for something tall and slender for light garments.

Although, it doesn’t mean they won’t be able to hold thicker or heavier garments. What your lingerie chest will hold really depends on which one you get.

As for dressers, dressers are typically low in height which means this can work to your advantage since sometimes taller items can make a room feel smaller and confined. You can take advantage of this situation even more by getting a dresser with legs.

It will help open space up a bit more. And in the end you’ll have a lighter airy feeling to your room and the illusion of space saved.

Chests of drawers are similar to dressers but often taller. As said above with dressers, you can also make them work to your advantage by getting one with legs on it.

The more negative space you have below the dresser, the more open your room will feel. And don’t forget you can also get a corner version of drawer chests, which without a doubt, will also reduce the amount of space taken up in your room.

When none of those alternatives work, don’t forget you can also turn to your closet for help. Consider getting mini chests like storage carts or cardboard chests to take care of the clothes you need stored away.

Placing these chests in the closet will eliminate your need for a dresser altogether. Or if that option doesn’t suit you, you can get a closet system or make your own closet system by using a few simple organizers like hanging shelves and drawers, closet doublers and shoe organizers.

And lastly, you can combine any of those options with a storage bed. A storage bed simply includes drawers built into the bed so in order to cut down on your needs for a dresser or chest.

And if that isn’t enough for you and you need more space, don’t forget to utilize your nightstand drawers. You can place a few lightweight garments, such as socks, underwear or ties in each drawer.

Combine any of the choices above to suit your needs and you have the answer you need to storing your clothes away with or without a dresser or chest.

The great thing about it is, you no longer have to get a dresser or chest. With the variety of options out there, the choice is yours.

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