Looking for the best chest of drawers in South Africa? This guide covers every type, size, material and price range available so you buy right the first time. Shop chest of drawers for sale at Click Furniture with free nationwide delivery.
A good chest of drawers does more than store clothes. It shapes the feel of your entire bedroom, keeps clutter off the floor, and gives you a surface to style with a mirror, lamp or a few plants.
TLDR.
- A chest of drawers gives you stacked drawer storage in a compact footprint, ideal for bedrooms of any size.
- In South Africa you can choose from tallboys, wide dressers, narrow units and mirrored styles starting from around R1,500.
- MDF with wood-look finishes, solid wood and engineered wood are the most common materials locally.
- Click Furniture stocks a full range of bedroom storage with free nationwide delivery and buy-now-pay-later available.
What Is a Chest of Drawers and Why You Need One.
A chest of drawers is a freestanding piece with multiple stacked horizontal drawers, designed mainly to store folded clothing and bedroom essentials. You might also hear it called a dresser or, in older South African homes, a compactum.
A dresser tends to be wider and lower, often with a mirror attached. A chest of drawers is typically taller and narrower, making it a better fit for smaller rooms. Wardrobes and bedside tables alone rarely provide enough storage. A chest of drawers fills the gap.
Types of Chest of Drawers Available in South Africa.
Tallboy. Tall and narrow with five or more drawers stacked vertically. Ideal for small bedrooms. Typically 120 cm to 150 cm tall and 40 to 50 cm wide.
Wide chest of drawers. Usually 80 cm to 120 cm across with fewer, deeper drawers. Works well with a wall mirror above it.
Narrow chest of drawers. Under 50 cm wide. Good for tight corners or alongside a single bed. Depths of 35 to 40 cm keep it from jutting into the room.
Mirrored chest of drawers. Reflect light and make a bedroom feel larger. Popular in South African apartments and compact townhouses.
How to Choose the Right Size for Your Bedroom.
Width. For a double or queen bedroom, 80 cm to 100 cm works well. For a single bedroom, stick to 40 to 60 cm.
Height. Most standard units sit between 80 cm and 110 cm. A tallboy reaches 120 to 150 cm. Avoid anything taller than the window sill in a small room.
Depth. Average depth is 40 to 45 cm. Leave at least 90 cm clearance in front so drawers open fully.
Drawer count. Three drawers suit a child or guest room. Five to six drawers work well for a master bedroom shared by two people.
Materials and Finishes Available in South Africa.
MDF. MDF with a melamine or vinyl wrap is the most affordable and widely sold option. It resists warping in humid conditions. White, grey and woodgrain wraps are the most popular locally.
Engineered wood. Chipboard and particle board with laminate offer more weight and rigidity than basic MDF.
Solid wood. Costs more but lasts decades. Pine, oak and acacia are commonly available.
Finishes. White and greige remain top sellers. Natural wood tones in light oak and walnut suit warmer interiors. Black and charcoal suit contemporary or industrial bedrooms.
How Much Does a Chest of Drawers Cost in South Africa.
- Entry-level (MDF, 3 to 4 drawers): R1,500 to R3,000
- Mid-range (engineered wood or MDF, 5 to 6 drawers): R3,000 to R6,000
- Premium (solid wood or designer finishes): R6,500 to R12,000+
At Click Furniture, the range sits within the entry to mid-range bracket. Buy-now-pay-later is available over two months.
How to Style a Chest of Drawers in Your Bedroom.
Add a mirror. A framed wall mirror above the unit creates the illusion of more space.
Use a tray. Group small items like perfume, a watch dish and a candle on a tray so the surface does not look cluttered.
Layer heights. Place a tall item (lamp or vase) next to a mid-height item (framed photo) and something flat (book or small plant).
Match your hardware. Gold or brass handles pair with warm fittings. Brushed nickel or chrome suit cooler silver and white rooms.
Keep it functional. Leave room to put things down when you need to.
Shop Chest of Drawers at Click Furniture.
Click Furniture stocks tallboys, wide five-drawer units and more, with free nationwide delivery. Browse the full bedroom furniture collection for bed frames, bedside tables and storage that work together. Prices start from R1,095.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What is a chest of drawers called in South Africa. Most commonly "chest of drawers". Older generations may say compactum or dresser. Tallboy is used for taller, narrower versions.
What is the difference between a chest of drawers and a tallboy. A tallboy is a taller chest of drawers, typically 120 to 150 cm, versus a standard unit around 80 to 100 cm.
How wide should a chest of drawers be. For a single or smaller bedroom, 40 to 60 cm. For a master bedroom, 80 to 100 cm.
What material is best for a chest of drawers in South Africa. MDF with a quality laminate finish offers the best value for most homes. Solid wood lasts longer if your budget allows.
Where should you put a chest of drawers in a bedroom. Against a wall opposite or beside the bed. Allow at least 90 cm clearance in front. Avoid blocking doorways or bouncing morning light off a mirrored surface into your eyes.
Can a chest of drawers work outside the bedroom. Yes. Hallway linen storage, kids' playrooms and home offices all work well.
