If you have been searching for bedroom storage that actually works, chances are you have come across the tallboy at some point. It is one of those pieces of furniture that can feel almost old-fashioned at first glance, yet the more you live with a good one, the more it just makes sense. In New Zealand homes, where bedrooms are often smaller than we would like, the tallboy remains one of the smarter storage solutions available.
But not every tallboy is the same. There are differences in height, drawer count, material, and style that can make one a perfect fit for your room and another a constant source of frustration. This guide walks you through what to look for so you can shop with confidence.
A tallboy is a tall, narrow chest of drawers, typically featuring between five and seven drawers stacked vertically. Because it builds storage upward rather than outward, it takes up less floor space than a wide dresser while offering comparable or even greater total storage. That is exactly why it tends to work so well in New Zealand bedrooms, where floor space can be limited but wall height is often generous.
The classic tallboy design has been around for centuries, but modern versions have evolved considerably. Today you will find them in everything from high-gloss white to natural oak, and the interior details like drawer runners, handles, and joinery quality can vary just as much as the aesthetics.
One of the first things people get wrong when buying a tallboy is underestimating how the height will feel once the piece is in the room. A 140cm tallboy looks quite different sitting in a store compared to sitting beside your bed at home.
As a general rule, most tallboys fall somewhere between 120cm and 160cm in height. Anything taller than that can start to feel imposing in a standard NZ bedroom with 2.4 metre ceilings. If you have higher ceilings or an open plan space, you may be able to go taller without it feeling out of proportion.
Measure your wall space before you buy. Account for any light switches, power points, or windows nearby. A tallboy that partially blocks a window or sits awkwardly below a light switch can disrupt the whole feel of the room.
Because tallboys are narrow by design, it can be tempting to assume that width is less important. In practice, it is one of the most important dimensions to get right.
A wider tallboy with shallower drawers can actually hold less than a narrower one with deeper drawers. Think about what you plan to store. Folded jumpers and bulkier items need depth. Socks, underwear, and small accessories work fine in shallower storage.
Most tallboys sit somewhere between 45cm and 60cm wide. At the narrower end, you gain floor space but lose storage capacity. At the wider end, the piece starts to resemble a standard chest of drawers and the tall-and-narrow aesthetic begins to shift.
Depth is worth checking too. Many tallboys are around 40cm to 45cm deep. If your bedroom is particularly tight, even a few centimetres can make a meaningful difference to how the room flows.
The material a tallboy is made from affects not just how it looks but how it performs over time.
Solid oak is arguably the best choice for longevity. It is dense, resistant to minor impacts, and takes on a richer appearance as it ages. Oak furniture can feel like a genuine investment because it tends to last for decades with basic care.
MDF with a veneer finish is a common alternative. It can look great when new and is usually more affordable, but it is more vulnerable to moisture and knocks over time. In a well-maintained bedroom it may perform perfectly well, but in a rental or a high-traffic household it can show wear more quickly.
Engineered timber or plywood-based construction sits somewhere in between. It tends to be more stable than solid timber in humid conditions and more durable than standard MDF.
You will open the drawers on a tallboy hundreds of times over its life. The quality of those drawers matters far more than many buyers realise.
Full-extension drawer runners allow you to access the full depth of the drawer without it stopping partway. Many budget tallboys use partial-extension runners that limit access to the back of the drawer.
Soft-close mechanisms prevent the sharp bang of drawers slamming shut. This is especially valuable in shared homes or for light sleepers. Dovetail joinery on wooden drawers indicates high-quality construction. It is a traditional technique that creates a stronger bond between the drawer front and sides.
Weight capacity matters too, particularly for larger items. If you plan to store heavy knitwear or folded denim, it is worth checking that the runners are rated to handle the load.
A tallboy should complement the rest of your bedroom, not compete with it. The good news is that the current range of styles available in New Zealand covers most tastes.
Natural oak has become one of the most popular choices in recent years. It pairs well with linen bedding, rattan accessories, and the kind of warm, layered look that tends to feel liveable rather than overly styled. It also works surprisingly well in more contemporary spaces when paired with clean lines and minimal accessories.
White and off-white finishes remain a classic option, particularly in smaller bedrooms where lighter tones can help a room feel more open. If you prefer something with a bit more character, tallboys with fluted drawer fronts or textured panels can add visual interest without overwhelming a room.
The number of drawers on a tallboy affects both storage capacity and usability. More drawers does not always mean better organisation.
Four drawers of generous depth can often hold more than seven shallow drawers, and they tend to be easier to use day to day. With very shallow drawers, items can stack awkwardly and become difficult to access without pulling everything out.
A six-drawer configuration tends to work well for most adults. It allows you to organise by category without the drawers being so shallow that things are hard to manage. If you share storage space with a partner, three drawers each is a simple and effective split.
Placement has a bigger impact on how useful a tallboy becomes than many people expect. Beside or opposite the bed is the most common position. It keeps everything accessible and the height tends to work naturally with standard bed and window proportions.
In a wardrobe alcove or recessed wall space, a tallboy can be a smart way to maximise otherwise underused depth while keeping the floor plan clean. Avoid placing a tallboy where the drawers will be partially blocked by a door swing. It seems obvious, but it is easy to overlook during the planning stage.
If your bedroom has limited natural light, placing a tallboy in a corner or against a darker wall can free up the brighter areas of the room for furniture that benefits more from good light.
The top surface of a tallboy is often overlooked during the buying process, but it can become one of the most used and most noticed surfaces in the room. A plant, a small lamp, a tray with jewellery, or a framed photo can all work well depending on the look you are going for.
Keep the top surface edited. Two or three considered objects tend to look far better than a collection of items that have simply landed there over time. If the top of your tallboy tends to accumulate clutter, a small tray or dish can help contain it and make the surface feel intentional rather than chaotic.
If you are looking for solid oak storage that will last, the range at C&F Creation is worth exploring. The Reede Tallboy in oak is designed for everyday use with a warm natural finish that suits most bedroom styles and is built from solid oak construction.
The Raya Six Drawer and Ruelle Six Drawer are also worth considering if you prefer a lower profile or a wider configuration. Both are made from the same quality oak construction and are available for delivery across New Zealand with flat-rate shipping from .
Browse the full drawers collection to compare dimensions and find the right fit for your space.
Choosing a tallboy is really about understanding your bedroom, your storage needs, and how much you value quality over the long term. Take measurements seriously, think carefully about what you plan to store, and look beyond the visual finish to materials and drawer quality.
A well-chosen tallboy can genuinely change how a bedroom functions day to day. It is one of those pieces that tends to earn its place the more you use it.
