Tallboys

A tallboy and a highboy are both pieces of bedroom furniture known for vertical storage. In Australia, the term 'tallboy' or 'tallboy dresser' commonly refers to a tall chest of drawers. The 'highboy' is of American origin and is a more classic or ornate piece of furniture that typically comprises two parts: a bottom section with longer legs and a top section with drawers. The main difference is their design and structure, though both serve a similar purpose.

Whether you opt for a white tallboy, black tallboy, or wooden tallboy, styling is about balance. You can highlight a feature wall with a statement piece like a tallboy, creating a focal point. Choose items that contrast or complement your tallboy's colour and materials for an elegant look. Place statement art or a mirror on top, use trays for small accessories and add plants or candles for warmth. If you're after a sleek, modern look with clean lines, keep the surface of your tallboy uncluttered.

A tallboy is essentially a type of chest of drawers, just one that is taller in design. The primary difference lies in their height and overall dimensions. While both are bedroom storage solutions with a series of drawers, a tallboy usually stands taller to optimise vertical space. Whereas a chest of drawers might be wider and shorter in comparison, offering different storage options based on its width, height, and depth.

While a tallboy is sometimes referred to as a 'tallboy dresser', a tallboy and a dressing table serve different purposes. A tallboy is primarily used for storage with its multiple drawers, focusing on height. A dressing table, on the other hand, typically comes with a mirror and provides space where you can sit comfortably. It's designed for personal grooming activities like makeup application or hair styling rather than the bulk storage a tallboy offers.

Tallboys are versatile storage units, perfect for storing a variety of belongings. Commonly, their drawers hold clothing items such as underwear, socks, shirts, and pants—items you wouldn't typically hang. They can also store your bed linen, towels, accessories, or even documents and are great for children's rooms. The key is to organise the contents to efficiently fill each drawer for easy access.

The term 'tallboy' is historical and quite literal. This piece of furniture became popular in the 18th century as a chest-on-chest design, essentially stacking one chest of drawers on top of another slightly larger one. This created a tall chest of drawers, and the name 'tall boy' was coined to distinguish it from the shorter, wider chest of drawers, which was sometimes referred to as a 'lowboy'. The name simply refers to its significant height.