Modern Desks
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Modern French Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French two drawer desk with our Rowan beech veneer finish, embossed leather wrapped frieze and drawers with brushed brass finish handles.
Dimensions: 54" W x 28" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Modernist Tubular Steel Desk with 2 Chests of Drawers, Chromed Metal, Oak Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist tubular steel desk with two chests of drawers, chrome plated metal, oak veneer, circa. 1935.
Category
1930s Czech Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root Onyx Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Armona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Alvar Aalto 60's Beech Desk and White Drawer
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Alvar aalto design beachtop desk and drawer set in white paint.
You can expect yellowing to amber in the future, and it has a beautiful aging feeling.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Beech, Birch
Herringbone Waterfall Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Herringbone Waterfall Desk, create a serene space for work and moments of reflection with this parsons style desk, engaging the senses with its fluid f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Organic Modern Madrona Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Organic modern madrona desk, Inspirational design elements lead with a mesmerizing butcher block top honed from Madrona burl finished in smoke gray.
Organically textured stainless...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Les Cordes, Buffet by Marc Dibeh
By Marc Dibeh
Located in Geneve, CH
Les Cordes - buffet by Marc Dibeh
2020
Materials: French Oak, Hemp Rope, Brass
Dimensions: W300 x H85 x D65 cm
Beirut based designer Marc Dibeh narrates his cultural environme...
Category
2010s Lebanese Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Rúna Small Desk, by Isabel Ahm from Warm Nordic
By Isabel Ahm
Located in Viby J, DK
Timeless desk with a poetic idiom and a neat little drawer. With its pure and Classic design, Rúna creates a space around itself and boosts your entire interior design whether the de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Slovenian Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Gossamer Desk in Ebonized Ash by Objects & Ideas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fluid surface of solid oak flows gently over the side of the Gossamer desk by Canadian design studio Objects & Ideas, and then down to the floor. This elegant ribbon of wood opens ...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks
Materials
Ash
Modern Metal Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Metal Leather top desk, featuring a digitally carved, traditional woven cane design. The carved metal desk boasts mesmerizing textural layers.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Modern Lage Bookcases Set/2, Brass Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 Lage bookcases, Contemporary collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Lage modern bookcase was designed to be the focal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modern Milano Leather 3-Drawer Desk with Sleek Cerused Oak by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very functional writing, computer desk with 2 covered leather drawers on the side and in the middle a drawers that open to accommodate your writing keyboard. It fits perfectly your...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Bolonha Console Table Nacre Tiles White Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bolonha Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
An exclusive and sumptuous hand-carved console table that catches the eye of anyone who ent...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Jean Prouvé, Bureau "Surveillant" Bois Métal Laqué Et Plateau Formica Noir 50's
By Jean Prouvé
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
jean Prouvé (1901-1984, France) : Bureau " Surveillant"
Rare modèle du bureau "surveillant : structure des pieds à section carré en métal laqué noir, caisson bois plaqué et plate...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Handcrafted Myers Console in Solid Wood 48"W by Mary Ratcliffe Studio
Located in Toronto, ON
A handsome console table with elegant curves and drawer storage. Contrasting drawer fronts with concealed integrated pulls and soft close slides provide a simple and elegant storage solution. The drawer fronts of this piece may be customized with leather, brass, or blackened steel. Custom sizing available.
We work with North American solid hardwoods on a made-to-order fabrication basis. Additional offerings in white oak, white ash, dark oak, walnut & hard maple are available, with different finish oils & stains at our disposal.
Please reach out for any customizations to species, stains, or leather quality. We are more than happy to provide more information and pricing as per your specifications.
As all of our products are made-to-order, we cannot accept returns or refunds of purchased items.
Crating, shipping & packaging materials are not included in the flat rate shipping quote provided. Please inquire within at the time of order for a quote on any applicable charges.
Mary Ratcliffe Studio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Desks
Materials
Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Custom White Lacquer Desk with Lucite Side Panels
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Made to order, custom white lacquer desk with Lucite side panel supports an pulls in Lucite and chrome. Drawer interiors are finished in spray lacquer. Custom dimensions and finishes...
Category
2010s North American Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome
Modern Painted Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern painted desk with a lacquered top section with three drawers, the center drawer fold out for keyboard surface, on a silver gilt iron cube form base...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Flamingo, Storage Unit by Hagit Pincovici
Located in Geneve, CH
Flamingo, storage unit by Hagit Pincovici.
Dimensions: W 41 x D 26 x H 85 cm.
Materials: brass.
Hagit Pincovici founded her eponymous bespoke luxury furniture and lighting ateli...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Hardwood & Green Leather Partner Desk with Sliding Keyboard Shelf Twin Pedestal
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage Twin Pedestal partner desk with drop front sliding keyboard shelf
A good looking and well made desk with a premium vintage green le...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desks
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Custom Two Drawer Lacquered Writing Table
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Petite custom, made to order, two drawer lacquered writing table with Lucite and chrome handles. Designed and made by Venfield. This item is made to order in your dimensions and color.
Category
2010s American Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome
Custom 5, Drawer Lacquered Desk
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom, made to order 5-drawer lacquered desk with polished chrome & lucite pulls.
Category
2010s American Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome
Shanghai Desk in Ziricotte Wood, Leather Top and Silver Patined Leg
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Shanghai desk in Ziricotte wood, leather top and silver patined leg. The inside is made in Sycomore.
Information about the covid 19.
At this point, th...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Shanghai Desk in Ziricotte Wood, Leather Top and Silver Patined Leg
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Shanghai desk in Ziricotte wood, leather top and silver patined leg. The inside is made in Sycomore.
Category
2010s French Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Custom Oak and Polished Chrome Single Drawer Writing Table
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Made to order single drawer writing table in oak with polished chrome stretcher and hardware.
Available in custom dimensions and finishes.
Category
2010s American Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome
Contemporary Raw Oak Bracket Desk and Rolling Tabouret Set
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary desk and tabouret set comprised of a bracket-form raw oak desk with dovetailed joints and a matching three drawer raw oak tabouret, resting on four casters. (PRICED AS S...
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Oak
A Jansen desk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A neo classic black lacquer double face , can float in oak circa 1950
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Oak, Lacquer
Simply Modern Writing Table, Dark
Located in Westwood, NJ
Simply modern writing table. An elegant modern writing table with two singular leather-wrapped drawers, our dark eclipse finish on the veneered frame (and handles) with panel end sup...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Asymmetrical "Linda Marie" Writing Desk with Leather Top by Kate Duncan
By Kate Duncan
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Riffing on a traditional writing desk, our writing desk is made to order in a variety of sizes, wood types and finishes. A small drawer done u...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Leather
Modern Lage Bookcase Set/2, Brass Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 Lage Bookcases, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Lage modern bookcase was designed to be the focal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal, Brass
Contemporary Handcrafted Console "Oeneus" in Wood, Lined with Brass by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary handmade console in walnut wood model "Oeneus" composed of interconnecting rectangular frames. The lower rectangular frame is lined with brass. The upper section has four drawers.
Variations are available in custom size, type of wood, color of brass oxidation, and finish, upon request. The lining of the rectangular shelf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Modern Brushed Oak Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern brushed oak writing table with our light gowan finish. This desk has gently splayed solid end supports and a matte tungsten silhouette and it has tw...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Style Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Art Deco style desk elegantly styled with golden amber burr veneer and three drawers with subtle stringing inlay. Raised on four tapering sabre leg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
21st Century Wynwood Desk in Leather by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Elegant and functional, the Wynwood desk fascinates the viewer with its essential lines and refined charm. Made of solid beech wood dyed Smokey Grey, the desk is upholstered in soft ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Leather, Wood
Sculptural Green Wood Segment Desk by David Vu - Customizable
By David Vu
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Taking inspiration from the conceptual forms of Hiroshi Sugimoto, the Segment desk by Brooklyn designer David Vu starts with the exploration of simple geo...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks
Materials
Maple, Plywood
Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
Minimal and elegant desk with drawer. Solid wood construction, take top made of solid elm wood, legs with wooden screw thread. Exhibited at Trienale Milano 1954.
Osvaldo Borsan...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Elm
Modern Industrial Leather Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern industrial leather desk with a solid hammered metal base. It has three drawers accented with cast brass campaign drawer pulls.
Dimensions...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Emmett Desk Small, Handcrafted Solid Wood Desk
Located in Stevenson, WA
The Emmett Desk is a simple asymmetrical desk with exposed offset box joints and turned tapered legs. Spread your papers out, pile your books in a corner, open the laptop, draw for h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Hardwood
Modern Shagreen Leather Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern shagreen embossed leather-wrapped desk with a brass tone iron-framed base. Three drawers with marbleized paper-lined interiors and with brass ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Leon Rosen for Pace Collection Demilune Desk
Located in New York, NY
Leon Rosen for Pace Collection Demilune desk. The desk has a maple lacquered top on solid ebonized wood legs and a single pull-out drawe...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Maple
Little Shanghai Desk in Olive Wood and Black Sycamore Silver Painted Leg
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Little Shanghai desk in olive wood and black sycamore silver painted leg. There are two drawers on each side.
The and sides are in olive and black...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Swivel Leather Desk Chair, Cubé Desk Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Cubé is a desk chair with modern lines combined with noble metal details. It has an elegant leather upholstery. The double cushioning on the seat adds to the level of comfort, while ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Fred Desk Top in Saddle Extra Leather Cammello
Located in New York, NY
This desk is a meeting of light, almost ethereal geometries. Roberto Lazzeroni creates a piece of furniture in which the visual pleasure of a continuous saddle-leather surface is underlined by delicate hand-produced incisions and cold markings that create refined graphic decorations. A special procedure makes it possible to curve the front of the saddle-leather without any need for internal supports. The ideal companion of the desk is the Ginger chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Leather, Ash
Swivel Upholstered Leather Desk Chair, Jenn Desk Chair
Located in Miami, FL
JENN is a leather desk chair slightly tilted to achieve a relaxed, ergonomic seating position. The unique proportions of the JENN desk chair make it a dainty accent that is “big” in ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Leather
Rectangular Glass and Oak Writing Desk with Drawers, Sky Bridge Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Sky Bridge is a glass desk with a pure multifunctional storage unit in white oak for the contemporary digital nomad – clean, light and functional.
As shown wood: White milk oak g...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Glass
Emmett Desk Large, Handcrafted Solid Wood Desk
Located in Stevenson, WA
The Emmett desk is a simple asymmetrical desk with exposed offset box joints and turned tapered legs. Spread your papers out, pile your books in a corner, op...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Hardwood
'005' Desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
'005' desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau.
Handcrafted in the Los Angeles and French workshops of noted French designer and antiques dealer ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Steel
Simply Modern Writing Table, 49
Located in Westwood, NJ
An elegant modern writing table with two singular leather-wrapped drawers, our Cardamon finish on the veneered frame (and handles) with panel end supports and brushed brass finish ac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Desk Ennio Fazioli & Ufficio Tecnico for Mim, Italy
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Mid-Century Modern desk by Desk Ennio Fazioli & Ufficio Tecnico for MIM, Italy 1960s. This desk is made of dark warm colored wood and has chrome detailed...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Simply Modern Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An elegant modern writing table with three singular leather wrapped drawers, our Cardamon finish on the veneered frame (and handles) with panel end supports and brushed brass finish ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Bernhardt Credenza
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bernhardt Credenza
A rare modern chrome and maple credenza.
4 drawers with ample storage underneath with shelving.
Chrome pulls. Marked Bernhardt.
See pedestal desk also avai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Desks
Materials
Maple
Raphaël Décorateur Beka Modeled Lacquer & Bronze Desk & Vanity, France, 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Elegant vanity by Raphael. A concealed mirror, and an abundance of drawers make this piece a convenient item. Original gilt bronze hardware and lacque...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Desks
Materials
Bronze
Modern Stainless Steel and Glass Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern stainless steel and glass desk with drawer and tempered glass writing surface.
Dimensions: 54" W x 24" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Apartment-Sized Patterned Osis Desk by Llot Llov
By LLOT LLOV
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Llot Llov's Osis desk was developed specifically for the home office — it has a small footprint yet offers the necessary space to work, and it has a privacy screen to help with both ...
Category
2010s German Modern Desks
Materials
Steel
Custom Mahogany and Parchment Desk Featuring Three Central Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Custom parchment and mahogany writing desk. This desk is custom made. It can be crafted in your choice of wood and finish, mahogany, cerused oak, parchment top, shagreen etc. Lead Ti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Mahogany, Parchment Paper
Rúna Large Desk, by Isabel Ahm from Warm Nordic
By Isabel Ahm
Located in Viby J, DK
Timeless desk with a poetic idiom and a neat little drawer. With its pure and classic design, Rúna creates a space around itself and boosts your entire interior design whether the de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Slovenian Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
French design & connected executive desk in solid wood, by Christophe Lecomte
Located in Landivy, FR
This minister's desk is part of the TRAPEZ collection designed by the Vendée designer Christophe Lecomte, who combines noble materials, aesthetics and uptodate office functionalities.
This collection includes several desks and storage units to equip personal offices, private practices and companies.
This large writing table is made of French high-valued solid and veneer ash wood sourced in sustainable managed and PEFC certified French forests.
With TRAPEZ, work free and with only 1 single wire on the floor between your desk and the wall.
With the integrated power strip (3 electrical plugs and 2 USB chargers), you will be able to plug your office electronical...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Ash
Colombo Moboli Burlwood Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Countryside, IL
Colombo Moboli burlwood secretaire a abattant
Desk measures: 42 wide x 21 deep x 75.5 inches high
This piece is in excellent vintage condition with only a small dent and a coup...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Burl, Wood
Modern Pedestal Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern pedestal desk with quartered oak veneer and with a basalt finish. With brass slab legs and handles having a long center drawer and three gradua...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Modern desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern desks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desks made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks, popular names associated with this style include Greenapple, Aymeric Lefort, Danese Milano, and Venfield. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $76,270 while the average work can sell for $7,800.
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