Chest of Drawers 20 cm Deep — Best Niches & Storage Capacity

A chest of drawers with a 20 cm depth is a specialist piece of furniture designed for extremely tight spaces where standard dimensions would block walkways. Anyone looking to furnish a narrow hallway, a small bathroom, or an unused niche behind a room door quickly encounters limitations with regular furniture dimensions. This guide explains the storage capacity this slim depth provides, crucial installation requirements, and when slightly deeper alternatives are a better choice.

What Fits in a 20 cm Deep Chest of Drawers?

An external depth of 20 cm leaves a usable internal dimension of around 15 cm to 16 cm once you subtract the back panel, the material thickness of the chipboard, and the drawer fronts. Much like a shallow wall shelf or display unit, this size is ideal for organising small items, but it reaches its physical limits with bulky goods.

The following items can be stored easily at this depth:

• Keys, wallets, and post: Ideal for the top drawer in an entrance area.
• Cosmetics: In the bathroom, shampoo bottles, creams, and brushes can stand upright.
• Scarves and thin gloves: Folded, these winter accessories fit into slim drawer compartments.
• Small hardware and tools: Screws, tape measures, or batteries.

This depth is unsuitable for folded clothing such as T-shirts or jumpers. Standard shoes also do not fit horizontally in such a unit, unless it is a specialist shoe cabinet featuring a drop-down flap mechanism where shoes are stored tilted downwards.

Where Ultra-Slim Furniture Makes Sense

The shallow depth makes these units ideal for specific locations. In the bedroom, a very narrow unit can serve as a space-saving bedside chest next to a wide bed frame when the clearance to the wall is minimal.

It also works well as a supplementary bedroom chest for jewellery or belts on an otherwise unused wall area. However, the classic location remains the hallway, especially directly behind an entrance door. Storage is often needed here without obstructing the door from opening fully.

When 20 cm Is Too Shallow: Next Size Options

During planning, you may find that 20 cm is simply not enough for your intended purpose. If you want to place regular shoes horizontally or store folded clothing, consider the next standard increments.

• A 30 cm deep chest of drawers is the standard depth for compact shoe cabinets and offers considerably more volume for hats or paperbacks.
• A 35 cm deep chest of drawers represents the lower threshold for storing children's clothing or smaller T-shirts without excessive creasing.
• A 40 cm deep chest of drawers is the classic standard size for living rooms and bedrooms, allowing jumpers and trousers to be stored comfortably in two rows front to back.

Assembly and Anti-Tip Protection: DIY Tips

Assembling such a shallow piece of furniture differs fundamentally from deeper models in terms of stability. A unit that is 80 cm or taller, but only 20 cm deep, has a high centre of gravity. As soon as a drawer is opened, the weight shifts forwards.

Mandatory wall mounting: A unit of this depth must be securely anchored to the wall. Use the supplied mounting brackets. For a standard brick wall, you will typically need a drill, an 8 mm masonry drill bit, and suitable wall plugs.

Fitting the drawer runners: At a depth of 20 cm, very short runners are required. These are usually ball bearing runners with a length of 150 mm or 170 mm. Ensure precise alignment when screwing the runners to the internal sides of the carcass. On short runners, a deviation of just 1 mm to 2 mm can cause the drawer to stick or close unevenly.

Carcass assembly: The carcass is typically assembled using wooden dowels and a cam and pin connector system. Tighten the cam locks by hand with a screwdriver until you feel firm resistance. The back panel is usually pinned or slotted into a grooved channel — this is essential to give the narrow frame the necessary squareness and rigidity. Total assembly time for an experienced DIYer is around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Aesthetics and Materials for Narrow Spaces

Because 20 cm deep units are typically used in confined areas, visual appearance is crucial. Light colours reflect light and help narrow hallways feel larger. A white chest of drawers blends seamlessly against light walls and looks less bulky.

To introduce deliberate contrasts, darker tones are an option. A black chest of drawers or a grey chest of drawers adds a clean, modern accent to a room without feeling overwhelming due to the slim proportions. Warm accents can be created with wood effects. A dark wood chest of drawers adds texture. Most of these units are manufactured from durable MDF or chipboard finished with melamine. This surface is scratch-resistant, moisture-repellent, and easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does a 20 cm deep chest of drawers need to be fixed to the wall? Yes. Due to physics, the risk of tipping over is extremely high with such a shallow depth. As soon as a drawer is pulled out and loaded, the centre of gravity shifts forward. Secure anchoring to the wall using suitable plugs and brackets is essential.

Do shoes fit into a 20 cm deep chest of drawers? Standard shoes will not fit horizontally. The only exception is a dedicated shoe cabinet with a tilting mechanism, where shoes sit angled downwards to make the best use of the shallow depth.

What depth is needed for standard clothing? For storing adult clothing like T-shirts, jumpers, or trousers without creasing, a 20 cm depth is unsuitable. A unit with a depth of at least 35 cm, or ideally 40 cm, should be selected instead.