Stick your chest out

The concept for a chest of drawers is simple enough. Add drawers to a box-like structure and you can store a multitude of items inside. Their appearance in homes dates back centuries.

However, today's chests are anything but simple. They can be tall or short, plain or ornate, curvy or straight, and painted or stained. Some have one or two drawers and others have five or six; a few even have drawers hiding behind doors. They also can be stacked to offer more options.

"They fit all styles of homes, from traditional to transitional," said John Scott, CEO of Sterling Industries, which has a showroom in the Las Vegas Design Center and is headquartered in Norcross, Ga.

During the recent market for the industry, Sterling's showroom was filled with chests of various shapes and sizes, colors and patterns.

"We're noted for our hand-painted chests," he said, adding that those pieces are more like works of art. Each piece is unique.

In addition to their one-of-a-kind appearance, some of the chests had carved and customized knobs and handles, including those that looked like roses and rabbits, while others were accented with brads and nail heads.

Scott said that in light of today's economy, if people are going to buy a piece of furniture for their home, they want it to stand out and make a statement. They also want it to be functional.

Traditionally, chests were used in bedrooms to store clothing and other personal effects. In their earliest incarnations, they were short and doubled as a seat.

"A chest of drawers is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture available for purchase," said Paul Watson, a licensed architect, interior designer and owner of interior design firm Architectural Interiors who currently serves as leasing director for Las Vegas Design Center. "These can be used in a foyer, bedroom, living room or even a dining room."

Greg Waylock, president of Colleyville, Texas-based manufacturer Bailey Street, said as the scale of furniture -- particularly bedding and sofas -- increases, the need for larger accent pieces grows as well.

"An end table just won't cut it," he said. "You need something larger."

"A chest of drawers can be the focal point of a room depending on its placement and the overall design concept," Watson said. "A beautifully painted chest can highlight a room and bring it to life while a contemporary chest can seamlessly blend into the room. In a foyer a chest can take center stage and make the introductory design statement for the entire home. You can hang a painting, mirror or a collection of pictures above the chest to further enhance the interior."

"And it's more functional," Waylock said.

"Depending on the room which the chest is placed, you can store anything from clothing to silverware," Watson said.

Linda Stinebaugh, manager of the Jordan Spencer showroom at Las Vegas Design Center, said chests make good nightstands in a bedroom because of their size and storage capabilities. Their unique looks also help personalize the space.

Scott said chests are ideal for nurseries, too, as they offer plentiful storage and a flat surface on top.

Those flat tops allow chests to play an integral part in creating a room's décor.

"The top surface can be used for the display of accessories including personal effects along with the addition of a lamp for illumination," Watson said.

Regardless of how or where it's used, one thing is certain: A chest of drawers may be the answer to many of today's decorating challenges.