Chests have been in existence for a very long time. In the middle ages, they were used to transport people's belongings from one place to another. What used to be something transported from place to place in the past, now finds a permanent spot in many homes today. Chests have become family heirlooms, handed down from one generation to the next. The most popular of these chests are the hope chests which were handed down from mother to daughter on the occasion of the latter's wedding, or when they move out of the home either to work or to go to college.



There are many storage solutions in the market today. The most common are made of plastic. Aside from looking generic, these plastic storage materials do not last as long as wooden chests. They are susceptible to deterioration that may come with time. Wooden chests on the other hand, are durable. With proper care, they can last for hundreds of years. In fact, collectors will pay a very high price for antique wooden chests that have been around for hundreds of years.

Many affordable chests would make great storage solutions for the home. Wooden chests are great for storage since they are made from wood such as cedar, oak, cherry, walnut and pine, which are very resilient and remain the same for decades. The natural oils from the wood keep insects from the contents of the chest and give off a pleasing scent, eliminating the need for mothballs and other insect-repelling objects and deodorizers.

There are some wooden chests that come with a padded lid, which act as a seating area as well as a storage area. These types of chests work well as storage for shoes. A person can sit on the chest while putting on a pair of shoes after taking them from the chest, or taking off his or her shoes before placing them into the chest. In the bedroom, chests are used for storing bedding, linens, and clothes. Chests that come with drawers can be used as bedside tables or nightstands. Chests are also very functional in the living room, where they may be used to store extra throw pillows, remote controls, CDs, books and magazines. They can even be used as television stands, a storage area for stereo systems or components, or even an aquarium stand. Lamps and telephones can be placed on top of chests, making them work as tables. In fact, wooden chests would make perfect coffee tables. In the bathroom, chests can be used for storing extra toiletries, towels, and bathrobes. A chest of the right size might even be converted into a bathroom cabinet for the sink. A sturdy wooden chest is the perfect place to store gardening tools, crafting paraphernalia, dining utensils, glasses, plates, and even hammers, wrenches, and other handyman tools.

Most wooden chests in the market today are handmade. Skilled artisans embellish them with designs that make them works of art, worthy to be handed down from generation to generation. A wooden chest is no ordinary furniture. It is an investment that will last forever.