Modernised chest of drawers – classic quality with a new, modern expression
A modernised chest of drawers is one of the simplest ways to bring a clear design statement into the home – without giving up function. The chest of drawers is practical, finds a place in many rooms and can carry colour, lines and details so that it becomes more than “just storage”.
When Plan B Design modernises a chest of drawers, the work starts from older quality furniture with good construction. What changes is the expression: colour scheme, surface, fittings and finish – everything that lets a piece look contemporary and timeless at once.
Current pieces here: Chests of drawers & bedside tables or browse All pieces.
What does “modernised chest of drawers” mean?
A modernised chest of drawers is an older chest of drawers that has been given a new formal language through redesign. The aim is not to restore the original condition, but to refine the piece and give it a renewed expression – with respect for the quality of the original.
Understand the term more fundamentally: What is a redesigned piece of furniture?
Why chests of drawers in particular are good to modernise
- They are functional – drawers and storage are used daily
- They are visually rewarding – large surfaces that can carry colour and details
- They fit in many rooms – hallway, bedroom, living room and study
- They often have high basic quality – older chests of drawers are usually built to last
If you want the same statement effect in a larger format, see also: Sideboards and Cabinets.
Three things that create a modern expression
1) Colour and surface
The most modern expression usually arises in the surface. A chest of drawers can acquire an entirely new identity through a well-considered colour scheme and a finish that looks exclusive – matt, satin-matt or with subtle depth. Here a redesign often feels valuable in the right way.
2) Lines, contrasts and details
Black lines, contrasting strips or graphic demarcations give a classic form a more contemporary, sharper expression. They are small decisions that make up the overall impression.
3) Fittings and proportions
The fittings are often the quickest signal to the eye. Renewed fittings can change the whole piece – and together with harmonious proportions the result is more “design object” than “storage”.
For a related expression in a larger type of furniture: Art Deco sideboard – a statement piece with a modern finish.
Where does a modernised chest of drawers fit?
A modernised chest of drawers works in many rooms – it is most useful where you want to combine practical storage with a clear expression:
- Hallway – keys, gloves, small items, while the piece sets the tone at once
- Bedroom – clothes, textiles, everyday storage, without the room looking like a furniture store
- Living room – as low storage and a clear statement
- Study – practical, but with character
More on furnishing with striking pieces: Statement furniture – how to furnish with a piece that takes up space.
How does the modernisation of a chest of drawers work?
Older chests of drawers can require anything from stabilisation and adjustment of the drawers to new surface treatment. A redesign is above all about the whole: that finish, lines and function hold a level that convinces in reality – not just in the picture.
The sequence step by step: The process behind a redesigned piece of furniture.
View chests of drawers & bedside tables
Frequently asked questions about modernised chests of drawers
Is a modernised chest of drawers the same as a restored chest of drawers?
Not necessarily. A restored chest of drawers usually aims to restore the original condition. A modernised chest of drawers is generally a redesign, in which the expression is renewed through colour, surface, details and finish.
More on this: The difference between furniture restoration and redesign.
Are modernised chests of drawers sustainable?
Yes – especially when they start from older quality furniture with good construction. Refining instead of buying new can be the longer-lasting and more resource-friendly choice.
Further reading: Why restore furniture instead of buying new?
Which furniture goes with a modernised chest of drawers?
For a coherent style, it combines well with a striking sideboard, a cabinet with character or a chair with personality. Do take a look at armchairs and chairs.
Back to the main guide: Redesigned furniture – where classic design meets modern form.