Dunelm Chest of Drawers: Prices, Sizes & Comparison

Finding a chest of drawers that fits your space, budget, and style can feel like a furniture puzzle. For UK shoppers, Dunelm offers a wide selection of white, oak, and grey finishes at prices ranging from £80 to £300, but how do they compare to the many options from Argos, Wayfair, IKEA, and The Range when choosing the right storage piece for your bedroom?

Average price range: £80–£300 ·
Most popular finish: White and oak ·
Drawer count on top sellers: 5 drawers ·
Assembly required: Yes (most models) ·
Top competitors: Argos, Wayfair, IKEA, The Range

Here are the core specs for Dunelm chests of drawers at a glance.

The pattern: Dunelm covers the essentials clearly, but buyers wanting exact dimensions or long-term durability data will need to dig deeper.

What sizes are Dunelm chest of drawers available in?

• Typical width: 40–80 cm
• Typical height: 70–120 cm
• Typical depth: 35–50 cm

Dunelm does not publish full dimension specs for every model on its website, but the majority of its 5-drawer chests fall into these ballpark ranges. For the top-selling Lynton, Olney, and Remi chests, the external dimensions are broadly consistent with standard UK bedroom furniture. The Giselle 3-drawer chest, for example, measures roughly 80 cm wide, 90 cm high, and 40 cm deep, according to Good Housekeeping UK (product testing publication).

The implication: if you need exact measurements for a tight alcove, check the individual product page carefully or contact Dunelm customer service. Most competitors like Argos and IKEA list dimensions more consistently.

Dimensions of popular models: Lynton, Olney, Remi

• Lynton 5 Drawer Chest – classic country house styling; approx. 70 cm wide, 105 cm high, 40 cm deep (estimated from product imagery)
• Olney 5 Drawer Chest – oak effect top with painted finish; similar footprint to Lynton
• Remi 5 Drawer Chest – wood-style finish; width around 65–75 cm

According to Dunelm (homewares retailer), these three models are among their most popular and offer comparable storage capacity.

Height, width, and depth specifications

While Dunelm does not provide a standardised spec sheet, the Giselle model measured by Good Housekeeping UK (product testing team) gives a taste: three drawers (one smaller sock drawer), 90 cm tall, 80 cm wide, 40 cm deep. The IKEA MALM 4-drawer chest, by contrast, is 100 cm tall, 80 cm wide, 50 cm deep, with 198-litre capacity (Good Housekeeping UK).

The catch: Dunelm’s size range is solid for standard bedrooms, but if you’re after a very tall or narrow profile, IKEA’s MALM line or Argos’s deep chests may offer more flexibility.

What colors and finishes does Dunelm offer for chest of drawers?

• White – most popular, lacquer-coated finish
• Oak effect – wood-grain look
• Grey – painted finish
• Other painted options (e.g., cream, sage green) available on select models

Dunelm’s finish palette is curated for the UK market, with white and oak being the dominant sellers. The Lynton chest, for instance, is available in white and oak finishes with brass-effect handles. The Olney combines an oak effect top with a painted body in white or grey. The Remi offers a wood-style finish that mimics oak grain.

According to Dunelm (home furnishings retailer), the range covers the most requested shades, but solid wood options are rare — most chests are engineered wood with lacquer or paper-foil veneers. For those seeking mango wood or solid wood, the Giselle model (£429) delivers a ready-assembled mango wood chest with antique gold knobs (Good Housekeeping UK).

White and oak finishes

White chests dominate because they suit modern and Shaker-style bedrooms. Oak effect is the second-most popular finish, offering a warm natural look at a fraction of the cost of solid oak. Competitors like Argos also offer white and oak, while IKEA’s MALM comes in white or black-brown. Dunelm’s white is a clean, bright shade; the oak effect is typically a medium-light tone.

Grey and painted options

Grey has become a staple in UK bedroom furnishings. Dunelm offers grey painted finishes on models like the Olney and some of its budget line. Argos and The Range also stock grey chests, often at similar price points. Wayfair’s range includes dozens of grey shades, from slate to dove, but at a higher average price (Wayfair (online furniture specialist)).

Wood effect vs solid wood

Most Dunelm chests use engineered wood with wood-effect finishes. The Giselle model is a rare exception at £429. Argos and IKEA also predominantly use particleboard and fibreboard with acrylic paint or foil finishes. The trade-off: lower price and lightweight construction versus the longevity of solid wood. For budget-conscious buyers, this trade-off is usually acceptable.

How does the price of a Dunelm chest of drawers compare to Argos, Wayfair, IKEA, and The Range?

Five retailers, one pattern: Dunelm sits in the middle of the price pack, offering a strong balance of style and affordability. The table below shows typical price ranges for a 5-drawer chest of drawers across the five retailers.

What this means: Dunelm’s pricing is competitive with Argos and The Range, while Wayfair’s premium lines push into the £400+ bracket. IKEA remains the cheapest option, especially for the MALM series. Dunelm’s advantage lies in finish variety and the convenience of ready-assembled models like the Giselle.

Price ranges for comparable 5-drawer chests

Good Housekeeping’s review of the best chests of drawers found that chests start at £73, and the Dunelm Giselle (ready-assembled, mango wood) costs £429. The IKEA MALM 4-drawer chest is £99. Argos’s cheapest 5-drawer chest is around £70–£80, while The Range offers basic 5-drawer chests from £60. Wayfair’s budget options start near £100 but many exceed £300 for mid-range designs.

Value for money analysis

If you prioritise low cost, IKEA and The Range win. For a balance of style, finish choice, and returns convenience, Dunelm is a strong pick. The Good Housekeeping UK (product testing team) highlighted the Dunelm Giselle as a standout for its premium look without the premium assembly hassle. For those seeking vertical storage, Wayfair offers slim tall chests with metal glides and gold-tone handles (Wayfair (furniture specialist)).

What is the best-selling Dunelm chest of drawers model?

• Lynton 5 Drawer Chest – classic, country-house style
• Olney 5 Drawer Chest – oak effect top, painted finish
• Remi 5 Drawer Chest – wood-style finish

Dunelm’s own website ranks these three as top sellers. The Lynton is the most traditional, with a lacquer-coated finish and brass-effect handles. The Olney appeals to those who want a two-tone look (oak top with painted body). The Remi offers a uniform wood-grain appearance. All three typically have 5 drawers and require self-assembly.

Lynton 5 Drawer Chest overview

“Beautifully crafted in a seamless lacquer coated finish,” according to Dunelm (homewares retailer). The Lynton is available in white and oak. It has five drawers with brushed metal handles and is designed to suit both traditional and contemporary bedrooms.

Olney 5 Drawer Chest features

The Olney chest features an “oak effect top, painted finish, brushed metal finish handle,” per Dunelm (retailer description). This two-tone design is a popular choice for buyers who want the warmth of oak without committing to a full wood finish.

Remi 5 Drawer Chest specifications

The Remi offers a wood-style finish and is slightly more compact than the Lynton. Exact dimensions are not listed on the website, but it is designed to fit smaller bedroom spaces. It is priced similarly to the Lynton (around £180–£220 according to the Dunelm website).

The pattern: Dunelm’s best sellers are all in the £150–£250 range, offering a consistent 5-drawer configuration. The Giselle 3-drawer (£429) occupies a premium niche but is not a top-seller due to its higher price point.

Is assembly required for a Dunelm chest of drawers?

• Full self-assembly required for most models (Lynton, Olney, Remi)
• Ready-assembled option: Giselle 3-drawer chest
• Typical assembly time: 1–2 hours
• Tools not included

Yes, almost all Dunelm chest of drawers require self-assembly. The Giselle is a notable exception, arriving fully assembled. According to Good Housekeeping UK (product testing team), ready-assembled delivery is a convenience that few competitors offer at this price point — John Lewis also provides it, but at higher prices. The IKEA MALM, Argos, and Wayfair chests all require flat-pack assembly.

Self-assembly instructions and difficulty

Dunelm’s instruction leaflets are similar to those of IKEA: step-by-step diagrams with numbered parts. Most buyers report a straightforward build, though having a second person helps with aligning drawer slides. The typical assembly time is 1–2 hours for a 5-drawer chest.

Tools needed and time estimate

You’ll need a crosshead screwdriver, maybe a hammer for dowels. No power tools are required. Using a cordless drill can cut the time to under an hour. The Northwick Pine Antiques buying guide notes that flat-pack furniture in this category is generally manageable for most DIY beginners.

The takeaway: Dunelm follows the industry standard on assembly, which matters most for buyers who value convenience over cost.

Specifications comparison: Dunelm top chest models

Three popular Dunelm chests compared across key specs — note that exact dimensions are not published for all models.

The pattern: all three models converge on price, drawer count, and warranty, leaving finish and slight size variation as the main differentiators for shoppers.

Pros and cons of Dunelm chest of drawers

What this means: Dunelm works well for style-conscious buyers on a mid-range budget, but those wanting solid wood or a longer warranty should look elsewhere.

Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear

The pattern: core Dunelm facts are well-attested, but competitor-specific claims and premium-model details rest on narrower sourcing and warrant caution.

Expert quotes and product descriptions

“Beautifully crafted in a seamless lacquer coated finish.”

— Dunelm (product description for Lynton 5 Drawer Chest, Dunelm)

“Oak effect top, painted finish, brushed metal finish handle.”

— Dunelm (product description for Olney 5 Drawer Chest, Dunelm)

“The Dunelm Giselle chest features mango wood finish with antique gold knobs and scallop detail.”

— Good Housekeeping UK test team (product review, Good Housekeeping UK)

Summary
Dunelm chests of drawers offer UK buyers a reliable mid-range option with solid finish variety and a few conveniences like ready-assembled delivery on the Giselle. The main trade-off is self-assembly for the most affordable models and a lack of standardised dimensions online. Compared to Argos, IKEA, Wayfair, and The Range, Dunelm holds its ground on price and style breadth. For the average UK household looking to furnish a bedroom on a moderate budget, the Dunelm range is a sensible choice — but if exact sizing or a longer warranty matters, IKEA’s MALM or Argos’s deep chests may be a better fit.

For those considering a darker finish, the black chest of drawers from Dunelm offers a sleek alternative to the white and oak options covered in this guide.

Frequently asked questions