Guide
Wardrobe, chest of drawers and dresser sizes
Updated
A standard double wardrobe is 90–120 cm (35–47 in) wide, 55–65 cm (22–26 in) deep and 180–200 cm (71–79 in) tall. A chest of drawers is usually 75–100 cm (30–39 in) wide and 40–50 cm (16–20 in) deep. Leave 80–100 cm (31–39 in) in front of drawers and hinged doors so they open.
Wardrobe sizes
| Type | Width | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single wardrobe | 45–60 cm (18–24 in) | 55–65 cm (22–26 in) | 180–200 cm (71–79 in) |
| Double wardrobe | 90–120 cm (35–47 in) | 55–65 cm (22–26 in) | 180–200 cm (71–79 in) |
| Triple wardrobe | 135–180 cm (53–71 in) | 55–65 cm (22–26 in) | 180–200 cm (71–79 in) |
| Fitted / sliding-door wardrobe | built to the wall | 60–65 cm (24–26 in) | up to the ceiling |
Hanging clothes need about 55–60 cm (22–24 in) of inside depth, so anything shallower usually means end-on hanging rails.
Chest of drawers and dresser sizes
| Type | Width | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedside table / nightstand | 40–55 cm (16–22 in) | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) | 50–65 cm (20–26 in) |
| Chest of drawers (UK) / chest (US) | 75–100 cm (30–39 in) | 40–50 cm (16–20 in) | 75–120 cm (30–47 in) |
| Wide chest / dresser (US) | 120–180 cm (47–71 in) | 40–50 cm (16–20 in) | 70–90 cm (28–35 in) |
| Tallboy / tall chest | 45–80 cm (18–31 in) | 40–50 cm (16–20 in) | 110–150 cm (43–59 in) |
In the US a “dresser” is a long, low chest of drawers; in the UK a dresser is usually a kitchen cabinet with shelves on top.
Space to open doors and drawers
- Hinged wardrobe doors swing out as far as the door is wide, usually 45–60 cm (18–24 in). Add about 30 cm (12 in) to stand in front of it.
- Drawers need their depth plus about 40–50 cm (16–20 in) to stand and open them, so 80–100 cm (31–39 in) in front of a chest.
- Sliding doors need no swing space, which suits small bedrooms and walk-throughs.
Moving a wardrobe
Tall wardrobes can be hard to stand up in a room with a low ceiling: tilting one upright needs a ceiling higher than its diagonal (the square root of height² + depth²). A 200 cm tall, 60 cm deep wardrobe needs about 209 cm (6′ 10″) of headroom to tilt up. Flat-pack wardrobes are often easier to take apart and rebuild.
Double wardrobe 100 x 60 cm Chest of drawers 80 x 45 Bedside table 45 x 40