Chinese Trunk Chest
Chloe Hughes
Interior Design Expert
Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.
Updated
14/09/2022
If you want to make a decorative statement and introduce an oriental vibe in your home, you can’t go wrong with Chinese trunk chests. Plus, they’re obviously the best choice if you already rely on an Asian-inspired interior style. These bad boys aren’t just beautiful to look at, though: they’re practical, too. So, be sure you choose a Chinese chest in the right size and design to fit what you’re planning to store in it.
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Our Picks
1
Antique Chinese trunk
27” long and 12” deep, this stunning vintage piece from the 60s offers quite a lot of storage space. You can choose to use the top surface to display some decorative items, but we recommend leaving its wood carvings in the spotlight.
Designer Advice:
If you’re aiming for an antique vibe, stick to Chinese trunk chests in darker wood finishes. Unlike the more contemporary light options (like pine), dark woods help items look like heirloom pieces and unique antique finds. Place your Chinese trunk chest in front of a white wall or background to help its dark wooden design stand out even more.
2
Carved oriental trunk chest
This Chinese trunk chest seems to tell a story with its detailed wood carvings! 27” long, it only measures 11 ¾” in height. So, you could place it in your living room or even at the base of your bed.
Designer Advice:
A new Chinese trunk chest can add to the worldly inspiration behind bohemian or eclectic interiors, too. If you mainly rely on quirky and unique-looking items, these pieces will take it one step further. Because they’re hand-carved, each Chinese chest is literally one of a kind, unlike mass-produced options.
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3
White Chinese trunk chest
Measuring 20” x 12” x 12”, this Chinese chest from the 50s was hand-carved and painted. We mainly recommend using it as an accent piece given its compact size. However, you can still store a few small items like blankets or more utilitarian bits and bobs.
Designer Advice:
A painted Chinese trunk chest could be a better option if you’re trying to match your palette but already have too many natural wood items. Painted carved options will allow you to complement your existing colors while still inspiring the antique or exotic vibe you’re after.
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4
Decorative Asian trunk made of Chinese wood
Household Essentials
This 16” x 23.5” x 14.5” Chinese trunk chest has a delightful vintage design with floral elements. The curved lid, metal hinges, and the distressed finish all add to the nostalgic feel of this charming accent piece.
Designer Advice:
Are you fascinated by traditional Chinese chests but worried they wouldn’t work with your interiors? These types of trunks are a handy compromise. While they do involve Chinese wood, they showcase more versatile designs and colors that’ll make it easier to complement your decor and palette.
5
Compact Chinese trunk box
If you’re worried that a full-size Chinese trunk chest would be too big for your room, consider this accent box instead. It measures 15.7” x 15.7” but only 8.6” in height. So, you could even display in on top of one of your existing furniture pieces.
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