Is It Okay To Put A Dresser In Your Living Room?

Tom Gaffey
by Tom Gaffey

As you move through life you will inevitably find some special furniture. A few of these pieces might be sentimental in value, while others are truly rare and valuable finds. Either way, you won’t want to part with these items, even if you don’t seem to have enough space in your new dwelling. So when you have a dresser you can’t part with, you might wonder if you can relocate it to your living room and use it as something else.

You can absolutely put a dresser in your living room. Dressers are functional furniture pieces, and often a great addition to your living room. Most dressers have multiple drawers that can be used for everyday storage, and the individual compartments help organize your living room essentials. You can use a dresser as a media center, end table, and even a functional storage piece.

If you have a dresser you want to move to your living room, you should not hesitate to do so. Dressers are one of the more versatile and functional types of furniture you can buy. This means finding a practical use for it in your living room should be simple enough. Before you lug it into your living room, however, you should consider your dresser’s dimensions, and understand what types of dressers are best suited for certain alternative uses.

Alternatively, if you are on the hunt for a dresser you can use in rooms outside your bedroom, you should think about its versatility. While most dressers are rectangular in shape with several usable drawers, they can vary significantly in height, width, and storage capacity. Before you make your purchase, think about the best dresser for your needs.

Questions To Ask Before Putting A Dresser In The Living Room

Does It Match?

One of the most important considerations you should make before putting a dresser in your living room is to make sure the dresser matches the room. If the dresser clashes with your current decor, you might want to think about painting it, or moving a different piece of furniture into the room instead.

Does It Fit The Room?

Be sure to break out your measuring tape and make sure the length and width will work well in your room. Remember that you need to factor in the space needed for the drawers to open in addition to the dresser itself.

Does It Have Ample Storage?

One of the best parts about using a dresser in your living room is the storage capability. Make sure the dresser you are considering has ample storage for your needs. With so many dressers to choose from, it’s best you make sure you choose one that can fit everything you need it to.

What Practical Functions Will It Serve?

Think about what you will use the dresser for. If you need to use it for a TV stand, for example, make sure it is not too short or too tall for this purpose. If it is going to be used for blanket and pillow storage, consider buying a dresser with larger drawers.

Use A Dresser For General Storage In Your Living Room

Sometimes the only purpose a dresser needs to serve is stylish yet functional storage. Add a dresser to your living room simply to give you more drawers to put some essentials. You can also use the top of your dresser for a lamp if you need more light. Or perhaps consider adding a plant, or one of your favorite decorations to tie the room together.

Us A Dresser As A TV And Media Center In Your Living Room

One of the most popular and most functional ways you can make use of a dresser in your living room is to turn it into a TV stand and media center. Make sure you use a dresser that is not too tall or too short. The dresser height should align with the viewer’s eyes while seated so no one gets a sore neck.

Not only can you place the TV on top of the dresser, but you can also make the most of the drawers. You can store video games, wires, remotes, and all other necessary media electronics in these drawers. This hides the unsightly wires and devices while also allowing you to keep all your electronic media organized.

Use A Dresser to Replace An End Table In Your Living Room

You can use a dresser in your living room to replace an end table. If you have a smaller dresser, you can even tuck it next to a couch. This allows for a useful table for beverages and a possible lamp. It also makes it possible for you to have useful drawers for coasters, remotes, and other living room essentials.

If you have a shorter dresser, you can make it an end table by placing it between two chairs. This makes the most of your seating, because it allows guests to engage and rest drinks, all without taking up space in the room.

Us A Dresser To Store Blankets And Pillows Storage

Most living rooms need pillows and blankets, especially in the cooler months. While this creates a cozy atmosphere, it can leave the room looking cluttered when you are not using them. Using a dresser to store these blankets and pillows allows you easy access while keeping the room tidy.

This is also a fantastic storage option for those who do not have a guest room. You can dedicate a drawer to sheets for the pullout couch or sofa. This enables you to quickly and easily transform your living room into a sleeping area when you have company.

Pro Tip: Make sure you opt for a dresser with larger drawers to fit those pillows and chunky knit blankets.

Create A Family Entertainment Nook With A Dresser

If you have a family, or are a kid at heart, a dresser can be a great addition to your living room. A dresser, after all, is a great place to neatly hide and keep organized all the living room activities you and your family have. From video games, to puzzles, board games, you can dedicate your drawers to all the items that may otherwise be laying haphazardly along your living room floor.

The best part about using a dresser as a family entertainment nook is you don’t need to be overly concerned with organization. Simply choose different drawers for different purposes. As long as you have a dresser with ample drawer space, you should have no problem keeping your family fun tidy. Sometimes the hardest part of keeping your family fun organized is finding space to keep it.

Turn A Dresser Into a Bar

If you are less concerned about family fun and more interested in adult fun, you might want to consider a DIY Bar setup. Dressers can be fairly easily turned into stylish bar areas. The top of your dresser can fit things like opened bottles of liquor, recipe books, cocktail mixers and even a wine chiller.

You can place your nice cocktail classes in a drawer. You might even want to consider r emoving the drawer and simply installing a shelf. This allows you to display the glasses, and also makes them easy to access. Depending on the size of the drawers themselves, you may likely be able to remove an additional drawer and install a wine rack.

Once you make this addition, you can take a step back and see you have transformed a regular dresser into a chic and functional bar setup.

Concluding Thoughts On Dressers In Living Rooms

A dresser can easily be relocated and repurposed in your living room. Dressers have a tabletop with several storage drawers that you can use for a myriad of functions. Some popular uses for dressers in living rooms include turning them into TV and media stands. You can also make a family entertainment storage and even a place to keep your extra pillows and blankets.

There are several DIY options, including building your own bar area using a dresser. Your options are only as limited as your imagination. Just remember to consider the dimensions of the dresser in order to make sure they will serve their function.

Tom Gaffey
Tom Gaffey

Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.

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