How to Choose a Dresser: Sizes, Drawer Counts and Bedroom Clearance

A standard dresser is usually about 30 to 36 inches tall and 16 to 20 inches deep. A single dresser is about 30 to 40 inches wide with three to five drawers, a double dresser is about 56 to 64 inches wide with six or more, and a chest is about as narrow as a single dresser but stands roughly 44 to 55 inches tall. Whichever you choose, leave about 36 inches of open floor in front so the drawers pull out fully and you have room to stand.

It comes down to three numbers: the wall width you can give it, the floor depth you can spare, and how many drawers your folded clothes fill. Here's how to work out each one, with examples from our collection.

Quick dresser size guide

• Narrow wall or studio apartment: a tall, narrow dresser about 18 to 24 inches wide.
• Under a window or in a small bedroom: a low three-drawer dresser about 28 to 36 inches wide.
• One person with a closet: a single dresser or chest about 30 to 40 inches wide.
• Two people, or a queen or king bed: a double dresser about 56 to 64 inches wide.
• Large primary bedroom: a 66- to 72-inch double dresser, or a triple dresser.
• Depth: about 16 to 20 inches; under 16 inches helps when the walkway is tight.
• Clearance: about 36 inches in front; 30 inches is a workable minimum in a small room.

Standard dresser dimensions by type

Single dresser

One column of three to five drawers, usually about 30 to 40 inches wide. It's the easiest size to fit into a small room. More than half of the single dressers and chests in our collection are 30 to 39 inches wide.

Double dresser

Two columns of drawers side by side, usually six or more, at about 30 to 36 inches tall. Widths run from about 36 to 72 inches, but most land near 60: about three out of four double dressers in our collection are 56 to 64 inches wide. That lines up neatly with a 60-inch-wide queen bed.

Chest of drawers

A chest, sometimes called a tall dresser, stacks five or six drawers in one column. At about 30 to 40 inches wide and 44 to 55 inches tall, it fits those drawers into about half the wall a double dresser needs, which is why it's the usual pick for small bedrooms.

Narrow and combo dressers

Narrow dressers, about 18 to 24 inches wide, fit beside a desk or at the end of a short wall. A combo dresser pairs doors with drawers or shelves. Most of the combo dressers we carry are tall, door-front pieces about 67 to 79 inches high, closer to a wardrobe than a low dresser, so leave room in front for the doors to swing open.

How to measure for a dresser

• Wall width: measure the open wall, then leave a few inches at corners and beside door and window trim so the dresser doesn't look squeezed in.
• Floor depth: measure from the wall to whatever sits opposite, such as the bed or a closet door. Subtract the dresser's depth; about 36 inches should remain.
• Height: note window sills, light switches and outlets. A dresser under a window should be shorter than the sill.
• Doors: open the bedroom and closet doors all the way. Neither the dresser nor an open drawer should block them.
• Delivery path: measure the front door, hallway turns and stairwell.

An example: in a 10-by-12-foot bedroom with a queen bed against a short wall, the bed's 80-inch length leaves about 60 to 64 inches to the opposite wall, depending on the frame. An 18-inch-deep dresser there leaves about 42 to 46 inches to walk and open drawers, which is comfortable.

How many drawers do you need?

Start with what you fold, not what you hang. List your categories, such as T-shirts, sweaters, jeans, sleepwear, socks and workout clothes, give each its own drawer, then add one for breathing room. One adult who hangs most clothes may be fine with four or five drawers; two people sharing often want six to nine.

• Three drawers: low and compact, good for a guest room or under a window.
• Four or five drawers: a single dresser or chest, the most storage for the least wall.
• Six drawers: the classic double dresser, two columns of three.
• Seven to nine drawers: usually a double or triple dresser with smaller top drawers for socks, belts and jewelry.

Bedroom clearance

Plan about 36 inches in front of a dresser: a drawer pulls out most of the dresser's depth, and you need room to stand behind it. Between a dresser and the foot of the bed, 30 inches works if space is short. Keep main walkways about 30 to 36 inches wide and the dresser out of any door's swing. For more layout help, see our guide to arranging furniture in a small bedroom.

Dressers by size

Narrow and low: 18 to 33 inches

The 18-inch white five drawer dresser is listed at 17.72 inches wide and 42.44 inches high, with five drawers and metal handles in a small footprint. For under a window, the 28-inch light gray three drawer dresser is listed at just 27 inches high and 16.5 inches deep. The 33-inch black three drawer dresser is a classic single-dresser size at 33.46 inches wide and 31.5 inches high.

Chests: more drawers, less wall

The 38-inch white solid wood five drawer dresser is listed at 50 inches high, 38 inches wide and 18 inches deep. According to its listing, it's solid pine, with felt-lined drawers and metal handles.

Double dressers: 47 to 61 inches

For a tight walkway, the 47-inch brown and black four drawer double dresser is listed at only 13.7 inches deep. The 59-inch brown wood six drawer double dresser is a typical queen-bedroom size at 59.06 inches wide, 16.61 inches deep and 34.69 inches high, made from solid and manufactured rubberwood. The 61-inch black and natural six drawer double dresser, in solid acacia, is listed at 18 inches deep and 33 inches high. For more drawers at a similar width, the 59-inch gray ribbed texture nine drawer double dresser is solid rubberwood with nine drawers.

Tall storage: combo dressers

The 72-inch white solid wood two door combo dresser is listed at 72 inches high, 37.75 inches wide and 21.75 inches deep, in solid pine with metal handles.

You can compare every width and finish in dressers. Shopping by color? Browse white dressers or black dressers.

Before you buy

• Plan to anchor it. A dresser can tip forward when several drawers are open, especially with children around, so fasten it to a wall stud with an anti-tip kit.
• Size the mirror. Above a dresser, aim for about two-thirds to three-quarters of its width, the same rule as a mirror over a console or sofa.

FAQ

What are standard dresser dimensions?

Usually about 30 to 36 inches tall and 16 to 20 inches deep. Single dressers are about 30 to 40 inches wide, double dressers about 56 to 64, and chests about 30 to 40 inches wide but 44 to 55 inches tall.

How much space do you need in front of a dresser?

About 36 inches, so you can open a drawer fully and stand in front of it. In a small bedroom, 30 inches is a workable minimum.

What size dresser goes with a queen bed?

A double dresser about 56 to 64 inches wide balances a 60-inch-wide queen. In a smaller room, a 30- to 40-inch chest gives you five or six drawers on less wall.

Delivery, returns and help

We ship to the contiguous U.S. and to Canada (not to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico). U.S. orders are usually processed in 1 to 5 business days and delivered in about 4 to 10 business days, with tracking by email and free shipping on orders over $120. Canadian orders usually arrive in 4 to 13 business days including processing, with free shipping over $500. Returns are accepted within 30 days for items that are unused and in their original condition and packaging; return shipping is paid by the customer unless the item arrived defective, damaged or incorrect. Not sure which size fits? Email help@FurniFindUSA.com or message us on WhatsApp at +1 484-459-6889 with your measurements.