It’s time for another ‘Best of’ post – this time rounding up some of the best minimalist chest of drawers on the market.
It’s surprisingly hard to find good quality storage that is both sturdy and well-built yet simple and stylish, not to mention affordable too. There’s plenty with ornate details, fancy legs and fussy finishes, but only a select few that are streamlined with clean lines and a minimalist finish. Not even my favourite design brands, the likes of HAY, Ferm Living or Muuto, seem to make chest of drawers (maybe they’re not so popular outside of the UK?).
Many of the minimalist designs I came across in my search were shiny with glossy lacquered finishes but I think that can sometimes leave an interior feeling cold and clinical. Natural materials like solid wood will not only give a room warmth and character, they’ll also stand the test of time, only getting better with age as the grain patinates.
Here I’ve curated an edit of my favourite minimalist chest of drawers – simple, practical storage for the organised, everyday home. I’ve selected a range of mainly solid wood designs, varying in price from over £200 to under £2,000. They all have a very simple appearance with small, discreet handles or no handles at all. They’re also all raised on slender legs, giving a lightweight airy appearance to any minimalist home. I’ve highlighted any sustainable choices in green, factoring in where the design is made and if the wood is from sustainably managed forests, if the information is available.
1. Kabino 6 drawers chest of drawers by Normann Copenhagen, £1,600, Made in Design – designed by Simon Legald and made with a white ash frame and simple steel drawers
2. Salina wide 4 drawer chest by Ercol, £865, Heal’s [affiliate link] – made in the UK with a mix of solid ash and ash veneers, finished in a white washed stain and clear matt lacquer. Ercol’s factory in Buckinghamshire is heated by a biomass boiler that is fuelled by wood waste and sawdust from the factory. Ercol’s website states that its wood comes from sustainable forests from North America, Europe and China.
3. Morten 3 drawer chest, £649, Heal’s [affiliate link] – designed by John Jenkins, the Morten is a Scandinavian inspired design made of oak veneer drawers and frame with solid oak legs
4. Radius oak 3 drawer chest, £795, Habitat [affiliate link] – designed by the award winning Simon Pengelly and crafted from lacquered solid oak and oak veneer, featuring recessed drawer handles
5. Gemini 6 drawer chest, £639, West Elm [affiliate link] – a 70s-inspired design made of sustainably-sourced wood covered in a white, water-based lacquer finish and set on slender metal legs. Crafted in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.
6. Design Project by John Lewis No.185 3 Drawer Chest, £499, John Lewis [affiliate link] – made predominantly from solid American white oak with metal knob handles in a bronze finish (pictured below).
7. BJÖRKSNÄS chest of drawers, £229, IKEA – inspired by traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship and made of solid wood. IKEA have a ban on illegally harvested wood. By 2020, they want all their wood to come from more sustainable sources, defined as certified or recycled.
8. Hans chest of drawers in walnut, £545, Joined + Jointed – handcrafted in the UK using solid walnut and walnut veneers, with a grey-white trim – you can read the story behind this London-based company in my post here.
9. SEAL plywood chest of drawers, £576.10, Etsy [affiliate link] – inspired by modern scandinavian design, this chest of drawers is handmade in Poland using birch plywood and finished with eco-friendly, natural oil wood waxes. The drawer fronts can be customised with different colours and you can even add an additional drawer if needed.
10. Marius chest of drawers by Hartô, £1,335, Smallable [affiliate link] – the subtle pattern is inspired by maritime architecture and the sails of boats. Made in France using natural oak wood and MDF.
Which minimalist chest of drawers catches your eye? Let me know in the comments what piece of furniture you would like to see in my next Best of round-up.
