Minecraft wiki entry for Trapped_Chest, associated text: Placing two adjacent trapped chests side-by-side typically joins them to create a "large trapped chest" (also known as a "double trapped chest"). To avoid them joining and instead place two single trapped chests side by side, the player may sneak while placing the second trapped chest,‌[Java Edition only] or place the second trapped chest facing a different direction from the first one.‌[Bedrock and Java editions only] Alternately, normal chests do not combine with trapped chests.