10 Best Nursery Dressers, Tested and Reviewed

By Briana Feigon

Illustration by Lizzie Soufleris

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Ample storage space for baby's room—including the best nursery dressers and changing tables—are a must. Even though baby clothes and newborn diapers feel too tiny to wreak havoc, don't be fooled! Baby gear accumulates quickly and requires plenty of space.

Dressers can be a high-ticket item, something that—especially when built well—can start in the $500 price range and quickly rise into the thousands. Thinking about a nursery dresser as an investment piece, I am quick to consider designs that will last beyond infancy and into the toddler years, perhaps even versatile enough to live in rooms beyond the baby room. Other factors that are top of mind: How easy is it to wipe clean? How easily and quietly do the drawers open and close? How much storage does it offer?

We explored these pressing questions and so much more in our nursery dresser reviews. After months of research, we vetted the best of the best and rounded them up for you here.

If you’d like to read more about what to consider when choosing a nursery dresser, keep on scrolling!

Accommodating small spaces

Many say that you don't need much room for a newborn. It's not uncommon for new parents to try to make the most of a small space turned baby nursery, whether that ends up being the corner of your bedroom, a closet, or even a kitchen nook! Finding a compact dresser—generally 3-drawer dressers that are under 40 inches wide—is a great way to work with a minimal footprint, as well as take advantage of maximizing the top as a changing station combo for diaper changes.

Double duty

For maximalists, those with twins, more than one kiddo sharing a room, or simply those vying for ample drawer storage, 6-drawer dressers are a great option to investigate. A classic design, 6-drawer dressers can offer larger drawers, more room to store diapers, wipes, hats, swaddles, clothing, and more, and can be a beautiful focal point in a kids room. Larger dressers also have the longevity to grow up alongside your children, accommodating larger clothing over the years.

Vintage

The best baby furniture doesn't have to be baby furniture at all. Chances are, you very well might have an underused piece in your home that could make for a great baby dresser. Alternatively, perhaps you like the look of a piece of furniture that has seen the world, has history, or offers a Danish teak flair. In any case, of all items for a nursery, a dresser is a great option to go secondhand. It can be a great cost savings option while adding some extra personality to the nursery decor. Learn more about choosing a vintage piece here. [JUMP LINK TO BOTTOM]

A note on safety

When asked what to keep in mind when assessing dresser functionality in a nursery, Kenya Stabler, Senior Designer and Project Manager at Marea Clark Interiors (and mom to twin toddler girls), highlights safety, versatility, and ease of use: "Safety first! Make sure it has a sturdy/solid base and can be fastened to a wall," she says. "You’ll also want to keep in mind that eventually your kiddos will be able to open drawers on their own, so you’ll want to make sure the drawers don't slide out too easily."

You’ll also likely come across the term Greenguard-certified when researching dressers. A piece of nursery furniture that receives a Greenguard certification means that the product meets all industry standards for low emissions, both as part of the manufacturing process and the item itself. A Greenguard Gold certified product has gone through an even more rigorous process. Gold certification assures that a product meets indoor air quality needs for establishments like daycares and hospitals—it's an important marker when researching the best items for a modern nursery.

Tester: Clara Haneberg, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? The Gelato dresser by Babyletto arrived on time and undamaged via a large parcel carrier. Setup was made easy, thanks to all parts being labeled and accounted for, and the detailed assembly instructions. A note that this 3-drawer dresser requires two people to move and build, as it weighs in at over 100 pounds.

Why did you choose this dresser? We chose this changer dresser because of its scale and finishes. The size is perfect for our nursery and the walnut finish paired with gold feet is the exact blend of rustic and glam we were hoping for.

What are the pros of the dresser? Its spacious, smooth-glide drawers! They don't require extra force or wake baby when I shut them while he sleeps. It came with a removable changing tray, and it wasn't an additional item that needed to be purchased before it could be used by baby.

What are the cons of the dresser? The pieces needed to air out for a couple days after unpacking to get rid of the fume smell before assembling it.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Yes, we love this changer dresser because its changing tray is removable, allowing it to fit well in a variety of spaces—not just nurseries. In the future, I can see implementing it as a nightstand in a small guest bedroom or even using it as a storage station for our workout area that doubles as an office.

Tester: Briana Feigon, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? The Crate&Kids Wes 3 Drawer Wood Dresser arrived via white-glove delivery. This was essential—having a team bring the dresser up my stairs and set up—as I was, at the time, too pregnant to even put my socks on and could use all the help I could get. All in all, this was an extremely positive experience: The delivery crew was punctual, kind, efficient, and cleaned up all packing materials before leaving. Highly recommend!

Why did you choose this dresser? I was looking for a dresser option that would fit well in a small nursery space. After checking the box with a Greenguard Gold certification, this dresser also achieves a modest footprint, being only 36 inches wide and 19 inches deep. Our nursery is quite small, so finding a dresser that wouldn't take up too much room was a big priority, as was finding a kids dresser that was an optimal height to be able to also use as a changing table dresser. I love the design and soft edges, which feel safe for avoiding potential head bumps and toe stubs. I’ve found that the drawers are open and close easily and quietly (don't want to wake a sleeping baby), they offer enough storage space to fit diapers, wipes, onesies, and clothing galore, and the hidden drawer handles should help prevent kiddos from opening drawers on their own once they become more mobile.

By Erika Owen

By Eva Morell

By Blake Bakkila

What are the pros of the dresser? Greenguard Gold certification Unique design Compact footprint. It also has the ability to double as a changing table and features quiet closing drawers.

What are the cons of the dresser? The engineered wood is somewhat noticeable in the design. The wood grain design looks manufactured in person, which likely makes sense for the price point, but I do wish it were made of 100% wood. The drawers tend to drift slightly open. I don't mind much now, but as our daughter gets older, it might make it easier for her to rifle through the drawers.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? I think this piece can grow with our daughter and transition well from a nursery dresser to a kids dresser. Eventually, I could also see this piece living in a guest room. Again, I wish it were 100% wood, and that would probably up my desire to keep it as an heirloom item in our home, but in terms of furniture for a children's room, it very much does the trick and is easy on the eyes to boot!

Tester: Clara Haneberg, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? We stumbled upon the fully assembled Emma Regency 4-drawer dresser while in search of the perfect changing table with storage for our first baby. Our local Buy Buy Baby (RIP) kindly informed us that the floor model happened to be the only last one left in stock. You bet we brought it home, (in a larger vehicle) later that same night!

Why did you choose this dresser? While we love everything about this piece, its size was nonnegotiable for us, as we wanted the largest changing table with the most storage that we could fit in our nursery. Namesake Home's Emma dresser had the perfect measurements for our space, and that, along with its white finish and pretty pulls are what really sold us on the piece.

What are the pros of the dresser? It's an attractive furniture piece, flaunting traditional panel modeling, ring drawer pulls, and tapered feet.

What are the cons of the dresser? We wish Emma had soft-close drawers, since sometimes a drawer that closes too quickly will wake the baby, especially in early stages of sleep. The drawers, especially the two long lower drawers, definitely need drawer dividers for them to keep items (like diapers and clothing) where they are intended. I ended up just using a ton of these drawers dividers, which worked just fine too!

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Yes, we bought this piece with the idea that baby would eventually use it in his big-boy bedroom as his dresser. We feel its more-traditional silhouette will transcend time.

By Erika Owen

By Eva Morell

By Blake Bakkila

Tester: Malena Galloway-Rivas, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? I had no issue with the delivery process. The drivers communicated with me throughout the day and arrived within the window we agreed upon. I had to change the delivery date and the operations team was incredibly accommodating. Once the dresser arrived, setting up only took a few minutes! I assumed the dresser needed complete assembly but it only needed the legs to be attached.

Why did you choose this dresser? We currently have a wide cubby unit for baby essentials that takes up an entire wall in the nursery and knew we needed another dresser. I was looking for vertical storage for the nursery and this dresser caught my eye. There are four drawers that are wide and deep enough to fit heavier items such as towels, crib sheets and blankets. There's also space on the bottom of the dresser—great to store shoes or baskets for my daughters’ toys when she's older. The detailing and the wood finish are just the icing on the cake.

What are the pros of the dresser? No-slam drawers make for a more peaceful nursery experience, and plenty of storage space to fit bulkier items.

What are the cons of the dresser? Truly, there are no cons to this dresser. It is a great addition to our daughter's nursery and it fits her clothing and blankets perfectly.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? I see this dresser growing alongside our family for years to come. It is a timeless piece and the quality is unmatched.

Tester: Elaheh Nozari, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? Arhaus's white-glove delivery was one of the best I’ve seen. They scheduled about a week ahead of time and quickly sent a certificate of insurance (COI). On the day of delivery, I received automatic text updates and a link to track the truck, and the driver called about 15 minutes before arrival. Three men delivered the dresser and they were extremely quick and professional—they put paper coverings over their shoes, rolled up the carpets in my apartment, and rolled the dresser in, making sure it didn't scratch the floors or walls. They made sure I inspected the dresser for any damage before leaving. The dresser was already set up and didn't require any additional work on my part.

By Erika Owen

By Eva Morell

By Blake Bakkila

Why did you choose this dresser? I have limited closet space because I live in an apartment, so I wanted a large dresser that could pull its weight in storing not only clothes for all the baby's growth stages (newborn, 0–3 months, 3–6 months, etc.), but diapering gear, swaddles, towels, crib sheets, blankets, etc. Aesthetically, I wanted something neutral that complemented some of the louder pieces in the room.

What are the pros of the dresser? The drawers are deep and spacious and work well with drawer dividers. I didn't want a dresser that was designed for a nursery, and I like that this one isn't and will be used for a long time as a result.

What are the cons of the dresser? I don't really have any cons, the only thing I would say is that because it isn't designed to be a nursery dresser, it is a bit narrow to serve as a changing table. It still fits a standard 16x32" changing pad, but there's only about one inch of clearance on each side (it's 18.5" deep). It doesn't come with a changing tray and might not fit most standard changing trays because of its depth. (Not an issue for me because I didn't want a changing tray but something to note!)

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? If yes/no, why? Yes, not only is it made of high-quality solid wood that will last a long time, but it has a neutral look that will look good as the baby and design of the room matures (and I can always move it into my room!).

Tester: Katy Olson, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? Scheduling delivery to our rural house was difficult, and the delivery person missed our home entirely on the first attempt. When they did arrive, the top panel unfortunately took a beating upon delivery—the movers nicked it against a wall on the way in, leaving a mark.

Why did you choose this dresser? Weighty with defined lines, it was the right choice for our weekend house, where we’re converting the office into our four-month-old's room and needed new storage options that complement the house's existing modern farmhouse style.

What are the pros of this dresser? Timeless modern design and high-quality materials.

What are the cons of this dresser? It's heavy (220 pounds) and requires at least two sets of hands to assemble.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Clocking in at just about 220 pounds, this is not an easy lift. But it's a worthwhile one. The Sparrow has the feel of a pass-downable piece of furniture. We now plan to build an entire room around, and to keep it for a long time.

By Erika Owen

By Eva Morell

By Blake Bakkila

Tester: Clara Haneberg, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was simple—we scheduled an appointment window with a third-party deliverer and it arrived fully assembled with no issues. My husband and I actually gasped during its unboxing, the dresser was so beautiful!

Why did you choose this dresser? The Marin dresser's cane panels are what really sold us on it. The added texture paired with the luxe storage piece's high-quality craftsmanship was so refreshing to see on baby furniture. It was an added bonus that it came fully assembled!

What are the pros of the dresser? A big pro of this dresser is the substantial storage it affords with 6 fully-extendable drawers ready to stock it full of baby's goodies and gear. The drawers’ smooth open and close, courtesy of Euro drawer glides, enhances the overall functionality of the piece.

What are the cons of the dresser? The changing tray and changing pad need to be purchased separately.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? I definitely visualize having this dresser in our home for a long time. We love that it doesn't look like the expected baby changing table and we enjoy using it.

Tester: Katy Olson, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? Three weeks, two rescheduled deliveries, and an address change later, and it was delivered to our apartment, where movers left it in my hallway, citing an extra charge to bring it a few more feet to the nursery. Lack of clear answers from Wayfair's customer service team made the process harder than it had to be.

Why did you choose this dresser? This ivory and natural ash dresser from Nursery Works, complete with a large changing-table topper with ample, 6-drawer storage beneath it, lured me in with its multifunctionality. The drawers even come with removable dividers, making storing itty-bitty baby items (have you ever folded infant socks?) easy.

What are the pros of this dresser? Workhorse furniture keeps clothing organized and out of eyeshot, and versatile, neutral design makes it a fit for multiple rooms in the house.

By Erika Owen

By Eva Morell

By Blake Bakkila

What are the cons of this dresser? Poor customer service, with the changing-table topper delivered weeks earlier to a different address than the dresser. Soft-close drawers are quiet, but require a bit of force to close.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? If yes/no, why? Yes, as the changing topper can be removed when my little one outgrows it, and the dresser can be used on its own.

Tester: Briana Feigon, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was great. Castlery was communicative about delivery time and their team brought the large box into our home. Setup was straightforward, the sideboard was well padded and close to fully set up. My husband just had to take it out of the box, put the legs on the bottom of the piece, and add in the drawers and door knobs. My father ended up needing to come help him out, as lifting the sideboard is a two person job and I was busy caring for our newborn and my postpartum recovering body.

Why did you choose this dresser? I like how sophisticated this design is, knowing it will elevate the nursery while also offering a silhouette that we can keep in the home for years to come. I love the brass accents on the door pulls and the legs. The rounded edges are elegant as well as modern, and the wood finish is a really unique tone.

What are the pros of the dresser? Quiet closing doors! This was a huge bonus, knowing we could put items away without disturbing a sleeping baby. Ample storage; this is a great piece to store towels, linens, and toys. Long and narrow. I love how slim this piece is, it offers ample storage without taking up too much space in the room. Doubles as a changing table: the height is optimal to take advantage of the top as a diaper changing station.

What are the cons of the dresser? It's quite heavy, which is great for the long-term, but specifically as a mother of a newborn, it made it more of a challenge to set up with my husband.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Absolutely. I could see this living in a variety of areas in our home. I like that this is not a traditional nursery piece, which both makes it feel more one-of-a-kind in a nursery, while also offering confidence that we will be able to repurpose for years to come.

Tester: Katy Olson, contributor

By Erika Owen

By Eva Morell

By Blake Bakkila

How was the delivery and setup? The shipment to our weekend house in rural Connecticut was delayed, but that may have been due to our remote location and not the fault of the brand. Setup was relatively easy as the piece arrived largely assembled, with only the legs to be installed.

Why did you choose this dresser? Sleek, sexy, and distinctly midcentury, the Harper exuded a grownup vibe that we, first-time parents wary of any expressly baby-geared furniture, wanted for our nursery.

What are the pros of this dresser? It features an elegant, grownup design with a deep, multidimensional walnut stain.

What are the cons of this dresser? The rolling doors and legs feel slightly fragile. If used as clothing storage, parents may need to purchase baskets to make the best use of the space.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? It's a piece that promises longevity, both style- and quality-wise, long after we move it out of the nursery. While we’re using it in the nursery at present, the Harper is in practice best suited for use in a more communal space, like the bar or living room, where guests of all ages can appreciate the look.

Tester: Marissa G. Muller, contributor

How was the delivery and setup? Delivery is fast and the setup is next to none: The dresser arrives completely assembled and securely protected to prevent damage. The only setup necessary is attaching the optional changing topper add-on, and it's super easy. The attachment hardware is hidden behind the dresser so it's not visible and it doesn't leave visible marks when you outgrow it.

Why did you choose this dresser? It's impressive how smartly built this dresser is. For the size of its footprint, it holds a surprising amount of things. The extender arms on each side of the dresser are a unique feature that make diaper changes so much easier—you can pull out and use to store things you don't want your baby to grab, like that tub of diaper cream, or the change of clothes you’re about to use.

What are the pros of the dresser? The drawers are deep and wide. There are seven of them: three up top that you can organize with smaller accessories and four larger ones below that could hold a child's wardrobe and more. There's also a generous amount of space on top, maximized by the add-on changing topper. The changing topper hugs either a standard table pad or a more modern one, like the Keekaroo Peanut changing pad. Then there's a divider between the changing pad and the space for accessories, which can store a diaper caddy and whatever you pull out of it for the changing process.

By Erika Owen

By Eva Morell

By Blake Bakkila

What are the cons of the dresser? The one area that could use some improvement is the drawer mechanics. The drawers are easy enough to pull out but aren't equipped with a soft close, and there is a little gap for tiny things to fall behind them.

Does this feel like a piece you’ll have for a long time? Definitely, yes. It's simply called The Dresser because the company only offers one, and this is the only one you’ll need throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence.

Kenya is also an advocate for finding a dresser secondhand: "If you love a good hunt and want something unique and more cost effective, I suggest looking at Chairish or Facebook Marketplace," she recommends. "I found ours on Chairish. It's a pink lacquer dresser from the 1980s and it ended up being the jumping-off point for our entire nursery!"

When repurposing a secondhand dresser that isn't specifically built for a baby room, consider small enhancements to breathe new life into the piece. "A simple change of paint or hardware is an easy way to fix up something you have or found secondhand," Kenya notes.

If you’re going unconventional, don't forget a changing tray

Visually, I love the look of any old dresser with a clean, modern changing topper or removable changing tray. This is a great way to work with what you have, dresser wise, while also assuring that it serves all of your diaper duty needs. Once your kiddo is potty trained, you can remove the topper with ease while still continuing to use the dresser for years to come.

We did this in our nursery, opting for the Keekaroo. Many parents in our life swore by it, and I can see why! It's incredibly easy to wipe clean, my baby is cozy on its padded surface, and its unique shape is curved to to keep our daughter right where we want her to be during diaper changes.

If you’d prefer to have a wood topper that more seamlessly blends with your dresser, I would recommend Crate & Kids’ natural oak baby changing table topper. It's Greenguard certified and super sleek and it can even be repurposed for other storage once baby is potty trained.

I also love Olli Ella's Nyla changing basket. It's a rustic take on a traditional changing pad. Handwoven with natural seagrass, this topper is a cozy changing pad for your little one, especially with the Bohemian Mama luxe organic liner added on. My favorite part of this basket is its versatility: Once baby has outgrown it as a changing station, you can use it to store toys, trinkets, and so much more.