Commode facts for kids

Early model, Commode with drawers

A commode is a special piece of furniture. The word comes form the French word and means convenient. The commode developed from the chest. Commodes have drawers, so handling them is more convenient than handling a chest. Commodes have been in common usage since the 18th century.

Toilet

The term "commode" is also a colloquial synonym used for a flush toilet in some areas of the United States.

In the United Kingdom, the term "commode" is very frequently used for a chair, often on wheels, enclosing a chamber pot—as such it is used in hospitals and the homes of those with incontinence or limited mobility. This type of chair containing a chamber pot is termed in French a chaise percée - similar items were made specifically as a moveable Bidet'

Images for kids

• 

  French commode, by Gilles Joubert, circa 1735, made of oak and walnut, veneered with tulipwood, ebony, holly, other woods, gilt bronze and imitation marble, in the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, United States)

• 

  A British commode, circa 1772, marquetry of various woods, bronze and gilt-bronze mounts, overall: 95.9 × 145.1 × 51.9 cm, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)

• 

  A washstand with pitcher (jug) and towel rack, sometimes known as a commode.

• 

  A commode chair from India

• 

  Museum collection of toilets, bed pans, hip baths, etc. The modern toilet commode is on the right.

• 

  19th century heavy wooden toilet commode

See also

In Spanish: Cómoda para niños