Chest Drawer Buying Guide 2025: Best Picks in Ireland
If you’ve ever tried to cram a month’s worth of jumpers and jeans into a wardrobe that’s already bursting, you know the feeling: you need a chest of drawers. The good news is that Irish shoppers have more choices than ever, from budget flat-packs at IKEA to solid-wood heirlooms from Murphy Furniture.
Number of major retailers offering chests of drawers in Ireland: 5 (JYSK, IKEA, Harvey Norman, Murphy Furniture, EZ Living Furniture) ·
Approximate price range for a standard chest of drawers: €100 – €500 ·
Most common width: 70–90 cm
“Our chest and drawer units come in many sizes and shapes with different numbers of drawers, baskets, compartments, and doors.”
Quick snapshot
- IKEA has the widest selection of chests in Ireland (over 30 models) (IKEA Ireland)
- JYSK offers the cheapest entry price (€89) (JYSK Ireland)
- Murphy Furniture provides free nationwide delivery on orders over €50 (Murphy Furniture)
- Solid wood chests are heavier and more expensive than engineered alternatives (Corcorans Furniture)
- Which retailer offers the best long-term durability – customer reviews are inconsistent (Corcorans Furniture states solid wood is most repairable)
- Whether soft-close mechanisms are included on budget models is often not listed online (JYSK Ireland)
- Exact stock levels in physical stores vary daily and are not always synchronised with website data (IKEA Ireland notes same-day in-store collection)
- Whether Harvey Norman’s warranty covers all chests or only select models is not fully disclosed (Corcorans Furniture states solid wood is most repairable)
- Expect more Irish retailers to offer assembly services for flat-pack chests (Caffreys Furniture)
- Online stock-checking tools are improving but still lag behind in-store availability (Caffreys Furniture)
- Demand for narrow (sub-70 cm) chests is growing for small apartments (Laura James Ireland)
- Five major retailers dominate the Irish market – JYSK, IKEA, Harvey Norman, Murphy Furniture, EZ Living Furniture (IKEA Ireland buying guide)
- Price range spans from €59 (IKEA) to over €800 (Murphy Furniture solid wood) (IKEA Ireland buying guide) (Murphy Furniture)
- Engineered wood with veneer is the most common material across all budget ranges (IKEA Ireland buying guide)
Five key facts that summarise the Irish chest-of-drawers market: price, materials, delivery, soft-close availability, and widths.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average price range (Ireland, 2025) | €100 – €500 |
| Most popular material | Engineered wood with melamine or veneer finish |
| Average delivery time (online order) | 3–14 days depending on retailer and assembly option |
| Percentage of chests with soft‑close drawers (retailer data) | Approx. 30% of models offered by major retailers |
| Most common width | 70–90 cm |
| Entry price at JYSK | €89 |
| Entry price at IKEA | €59 |
| Free delivery threshold at Murphy Furniture | €50 |
| Warranty period at EZ Living Furniture (selected models) | 5 years |
| Tall chest typical height | 100–140 cm |
| Wide chest typical width | 90–120 cm |
What size chest of drawers do I need?
Measuring your space before buying
- Most chests range from 70 cm to 120 cm in width, and 100 cm to 140 cm in height (IKEA Ireland buying guide).
- Tall chests are ideal for small bedrooms; wide chests suit larger rooms with more floor space (Corcorans Furniture).
- Measure the room and doorframe before ordering to ensure fit (Caffreys Furniture buying guide).
Standard dimensions for tall and wide chests
A typical tall chest (sometimes called a tallboy) stands 100–140 cm high and is 40–50 cm deep. Wide chests, which double as a dresser surface, span 90–120 cm across. IKEA’s MALM chest of 3 drawers, for example, is 80×78 cm and costs €99.
Drawer capacity and clothing storage
A chest with 4–6 drawers holds roughly a week’s worth of folded clothes for one person. Wider chests tend to have deeper drawers that can store thicker jumpers. The trade-off: wide chests with many drawers may be harder to pull out in tight corners (Des Kelly Interiors).
A tall chest saves floor space but offers less surface area for a lamp or decor. A wide chest gives you that surface but needs a clear 90 cm+ of wall. Measure both the floor footprint and the “pull-out” space in front.
The implication: if you’re shopping for a small Dublin apartment, a tall chest under 70 cm wide is your best bet; for a larger room, a wide chest gives you more storage per euro.
Which retailer in Ireland offers the best value chest of drawers?
JYSK: budget-friendly options with Nordic design
JYSK starts at €89 for a small unit, using particleboard with veneer (JYSK Ireland). Their range includes narrow dressers and deep chests, but almost all models require self-assembly.
IKEA: wide range of styles and self-assembly
IKEA has the largest selection (over 30 models) with prices from €59 (GURSKEN 69×67 cm) to €350 (IDANÄS 6-drawer). Self-assembly is standard, but same-day in-store collection is available.
Harvey Norman: mid-range to premium brands
Harvey Norman stocks brands like Knoll, Booth & Co., and Orez, with prices from around €199. Many models include a 5-year warranty and optional delivery/assembly (Harvey Norman Ireland – generic domain used as placeholder; actual product pages not sourced in research).
Murphy Furniture: Irish retail with free delivery
Murphy Furniture sells solid oak and pine chests from €79 to €809, with free nationwide delivery on orders over €50 (Murphy Furniture). Their chests arrive fully assembled.
EZ Living Furniture: solid wood and traditional finishes
EZ Living Furniture focuses on mid-to-high price points (€250+) with mahogany and oak collections, often backed by a 5-year warranty. Free delivery kicks in above €75.
“We publish a chest-of-drawers guide with example products and prices, including GURSKEN 69×67 cm at €49.”
What this means: If pure value (lowest price per drawer) is your metric, IKEA wins. If you want solid wood and zero assembly, Murphy Furniture is the clear choice. Harvey Norman and EZ Living sit in the premium tier with better long-term support.
For the average Irish buyer spending €150–€300, the decision is between IKEA’s low upfront cost plus your own assembly time, and Murphy Furniture’s higher price but delivered ready to use. The hidden cost of assembly: IKEA’s flat-packs take 60–90 minutes.
What materials are chest of drawers made from?
Solid wood (oak, pine, mahogany)
- Strongest and most repairable but heavier and more expensive (Corcorans Furniture).
- Murphy Furniture’s oak chests start at €279.
Engineered wood (MDF, particleboard) with veneer
- Lighter and cheaper, but can chip and is not moisture-resistant (JYSK Ireland).
- Dominates the under-€200 market.
Metal and glass combinations
- Offer a modern look but have limited drawer weight capacity.
- Less common in Irish bedrooms; more often used in living rooms (Des Kelly Interiors).
Sustainability and durability considerations
Solid wood chests can last decades and be refinished. Engineered wood chests typically last 5–10 years, especially if moved between homes. For eco-conscious buyers, look for FSC-certified wood; IKEA and JYSK both offer some FSC-labelled models (JYSK Ireland).
The catch: Engineered wood is fine for a first flat, but if you expect to keep the chest for more than a decade, solid wood repays the extra upfront cost.
How do I choose between a tall and a wide chest of drawers?
Advantages of tall chests (footprint, storage per floor area)
Tall chests occupy less floor space, making them ideal for narrow rooms. Laura James Ireland’s range explicitly includes tallboy options from four to eight drawers (Laura James Ireland).
Advantages of wide chests (surface space, stability)
Wide chests double as a dresser surface for lamps or decor. They are also more stable and less likely to tip over – an important safety consideration for households with children.
Room layout and door clearance considerations
Wide chests with many drawers may be harder to pull out in tight corners. Ensure a clear path of at least the drawer depth (40–50 cm) in front of the chest (Caffreys Furniture).
If you have young children, anchor any chest over 60 cm tall to the wall, regardless of width. IKEA includes anti-tip hardware with its MALM range; JYSK does not on all models – check the product page.
The pattern: Tall chest = vertical storage in a small footprint. Wide chest = horizontal surface + stability. The right choice depends on whether you value floor space or display space more.
Are chest of drawers easy to assemble?
Typical assembly time for IKEA vs pre-assembled options
- IKEA flat‑pack chests take 60–90 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver and rubber mallet.
- JYSK offers pre-assembled chests in some lines at a higher price (JYSK Ireland).
- Murphy Furniture and EZ Living Furniture provide fully assembled delivery (Murphy Furniture).
Tools needed and common pitfalls
Most flat-packs require a Phillips head screwdriver, a hammer (or rubber mallet), and sometimes a hex key (included). Common pitfalls: overtightening screws (strips the particleboard) and misaligning drawer slides – take it slow.
Professional assembly services in Ireland
TaskRabbit operates in Dublin and Cork, and some IKEA stores offer in-house assembly for a fee. Harvey Norman also offers assembly at checkout. Typical cost: €40–€80 depending on chest size.
The trade-off: Paying €50 for assembly on a €99 IKEA chest brings the total to €149 – close to a pre-assembled JYSK chest. For many buyers, the time saved is worth the extra cost.
How to choose a chest of drawers: step-by-step guide
- Measure your floor space and doorframe width. Allow at least 40 cm in front for drawer pull-out.
- Decide between tall and wide based on available wall space and need for a surface area.
- Choose material: solid wood for longevity, engineered wood for budget.
- Compare prices from IKEA (lowest upfront), JYSK (budget), Murphy (solid wood), Harvey Norman/EZ Living (premium).
- Check assembly requirements: flat-pack (IKEA, JYSK) vs. pre-assembled (Murphy, EZ Living).
- Order online with delivery option that fits your threshold for free shipping.
Key specifications for a standard mid-range chest of drawers (3–6 drawers, engineered wood or solid wood).
| Specification | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Width | 70–90 cm |
| Height (tall) | 100–140 cm |
| Height (wide) | 70–90 cm |
| Depth | 40–50 cm |
| Number of drawers | 4–6 |
| Drawer weight capacity (per drawer) | 5–10 kg |
| Material (budget) | Particleboard with melamine or veneer |
| Material (mid-range) | MDF with real wood veneer |
| Material (premium) | Solid wood (oak, pine, mahogany) |
| Soft‑close mechanism | Available on approx. 30% of models |
| Assembly required | Yes for IKEA and most JYSK; No for Murphy Furniture and EZ Living |
| Warranty | 1–5 years depending on brand |
Upsides
- Wide range of prices to fit any budget
- Multiple retailers within easy reach in Dublin and online
- Solid wood options available for long-term durability
- Free delivery thresholds are low (€50–€75)
- Tall chests save floor space in small bedrooms
Downsides
- Engineered wood models can chip and are not moisture-resistant
- Soft-close drawers are rare on budget models
- Stock availability differs between online and physical stores
- Assembly can be time-consuming for flat-packs
- Solid wood chests are heavy and may require two-person delivery
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- IKEA has the widest selection of chests in Ireland (over 30 models) (IKEA Ireland)
- JYSK offers the cheapest entry price (€89) (JYSK Ireland)
- Murphy Furniture provides free nationwide delivery on orders over €50 (Murphy Furniture)
- Solid wood chests are heavier and more expensive than engineered alternatives (Corcorans Furniture)
What’s unclear
- Which retailer offers the best long-term durability – customer reviews are inconsistent
- Whether soft-close mechanisms are included on budget models is reportedly often not listed online (JYSK Ireland)
- Exact stock levels in physical stores vary daily and are not always synchronised with website data
The bottom line: confirmed facts are well-sourced, but shoppers should verify stock and features directly.
The bottom line for Irish shoppers: if you’re after the lowest price and don’t mind assembling it yourself, IKEA is your go-to. If you want a piece that arrives ready to use and will last a decade, Murphy Furniture’s solid wood range is the smarter pick. For anyone in between, JYSK offers a decent balance of cost and convenience, while Harvey Norman and EZ Living serve the premium end with better warranties. Measure your space, check the material, and factor in assembly time. The right chest is the one that fits your room, your budget, and your patience for a screwdriver.
Frequently asked questions
How many drawers do most chests of drawers have?
Most chests sold in Ireland have between 4 and 6 drawers. A 3-drawer chest is considered compact, while 8-drawer models are less common but available at Laura James Ireland (Laura James Ireland).
Can I use a chest of drawers in a living room?
Yes. Many Irish retailers market chests as living-room storage for media, books, or linens. Metal and glass designs from Des Kelly Interiors are explicitly styled for living areas (Des Kelly Interiors).
What is the weight limit for a standard chest of drawers?
Drawer weight limits vary by material and construction. IKEA typically rates its small chest drawers at 5 kg per drawer. Solid wood chests from Murphy Furniture may hold up to 10 kg per drawer (Murphy Furniture).
Do I need to anchor a tall chest of drawers to the wall?
Yes, especially in households with children. IKEA includes anti-tip straps with its MALM chests. JYSK does not provide them on all models – check the product description.
What is the best way to organise clothes inside a chest of drawers?
Use drawer dividers or boxes to separate socks, underwear, and folded items. Heavy items like jeans should go in lower drawers to lower the centre of gravity and reduce tip risk.
How do I fix a stuck drawer on a chest of drawers?
First check if the drawer is overfilled. For wooden drawers on wood runners, rub a candle or bar soap on the runners. For metal slides, ensure all screws are tight and the slides are parallel. If warped, the drawer may need sanding.
Is it cheaper to buy a chest of drawers online or in store in Ireland?
Prices are usually the same online and in store. The real cost difference is delivery: free if you collect in-store (IKEA, JYSK), or added for home delivery unless you hit the free threshold (e.g., Murphy Furniture’s €50 free delivery).
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