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Poul Cadovius Shelving Unit 'Abstracta', Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Abstracta shelving unit designed by Poul Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. Frame in
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Poul Cadovius Abstracta Style Stacking Shelving Unit
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible, Mid-Century standing shelving unit or room divider. Reminiscent of Poul Cadovius
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Cadovius Style Wenge Wall Mount Shelving System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mid-Century wenge wall-mounted shelving system in the style of Danish designer Poul Cadovius
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Shelving System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Vienna, AT
Large wall unit, shelving system by Cado Denmark designed by Poul Cadovius in 1958. This shelving
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood, Softwood

Shelving System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
Shelving System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
H 98.43 in W 125.99 in D 18.9 in
Poul Cadovius Royal Shelving Rosewood Wall Mount Shelving Unit and Cabinet
By Poul Cadovius, Royal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Cadovius Royal Shelving Rosewood wall mount shelving unit and cabinet. The top shelves have
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Danish Modern Teak & Glass Shelving System Abstracta by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Odense, DK
Ingenious minimalist shelving or display unit SYSTEM ABSTRACTA designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Poul Cadovius Mid- Century Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit Shelving for Cado, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Poul Cadovius Royal Rosewood Wall Mount Sliding Glass Front Cabinet and Shelving
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An interchangeable Poul Cadovius rosewood wall mounted Royal System with shelving, black risers and
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Poul Cadovius Cado Royal System Wall Unit Shelving Bookcase 1960s 1970s in Teak
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Markington, GB
any number of configurations. This is a very useful item, with a built-in desk, lots of shelving and
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Teak

Cadovius Wall Mount 2 Section Royal Shelving System w/ Desk & Drop Down Cabinet
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Royal System wall mounted two section Rosewood adjustable shelving unit with locking cabinet and
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

1960s Poul Cadovius Modular Teak 3-Bay Danish Royal System Wall Unit Shelving
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This highly versatile and functional “Royal System” was originally designed by Poul Cadovius in
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Poul Cadovius Wall Unit or Room Divider
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Waalwijk, NL
shelving unit was designed by Poul Cadovius. This shelving system exists of a thin frame in black metal to
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Poul Cadovius Wall Unit or Room Divider
Poul Cadovius Wall Unit or Room Divider
H 73.04 in W 95.67 in D 14.18 in
Exceptional Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, ca. 1965
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
mounted shelving unit by Poul Cadovius, Denmark. This is one of the finest and most beautiful pieces we
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Danish Abstracta Corner Bookcase by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
minimalistic shelving unit system Abstracta, Denmark designed in 1962 by Danish architect Poul Cadovius. He was
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Mid-Century Danish Modern Poul Cadovius "Cado" Teak Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Danish Modern Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark Teak Wall Unit Offered is a Danish
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Teak

Cado Wall rosewood shelving unit by Poul Cadovious
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Cado shelving system by Poul Cadovius in Rio rosewood composed of: - 4 rack panels: H 202 cm - 5
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Poul Cadovius 'Royal System' teak desk shelf and brass brackets, 1960s Denmark
By Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
This Mid-Century teak wall-mounted shelving system, made by Danish designer Poul Cadovius . This
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

'CADOVIUS 900 LAMP', Golden Pendant Lamp by DK3
By Poul Cadovius, DK3
Located in Paris, FR
CADOVIUS 900 LAMP pendant lamp by DK3 Size : L: 123 / D: 27 / H: 25 cm Colors: Brass Materials
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and...

Materials

Aluminum

Poul Cadovius 'Royal System' teak desk shelf and brass brackets, 1960s Denmark
By Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
This Mid-Century teak wall-mounted shelving system, made by Danish designer Poul Cadovius . This
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Poul Cadovius 3-Bay Wall Unit in Teak for Cado, Danish Design, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Three-column wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius and produced by Cado in Denmark around 1960. This
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Poul Cadovius for Cado "Royal System" Modular Wall Shelve, circa 1948
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
'Royal System' wall shelve designed by Poul Cadovius, circa 1948. Manufactured by Cado in Denmark
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular Top Inlaid With Brushed
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Cadovius. Cadovius had the revolutionary idea to design a floating, modular shelving system that would
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Cadovius. Cadovius had the revolutionary idea to design a floating, modular shelving system that would
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Vintage Danish rosewood modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Cadovius. Cadovius had the revolutionary idea to design a floating, modular shelving system that would
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1950s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s. Mid-Century Modern 2 bay shelving
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Danish Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
architect Poul Cadovius. Cadovius had the revolutionary idea to design a floating, modular shelving system
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Mid Century MODERN Modular CADO Wall Unit / Shelving in Light Oak, c. 1950's
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Original Danish Modern Mid Century Cado Wall Unit / Shelving System in hard to find light oak, c
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Vintage Danish 2-Bay Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish 2-Bay Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Mid-Century
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s. Mid-Century Modern 2
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' Metal, Teak, Glass Modular Display Unit, Denmark 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Minimal Danish design modular display shelving by Paul Cadovius Around 1960 Poul Cadovius made a
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vitrines

Materials

Metal

Poul Cadovius For Royal System Cado Danish Rosewood Four Bay Wall Unit
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Peabody, MA
Royal System “Cado” four bay wall unit in rosewood, designed by Poul Cadovius circa 1960s, Denmark
Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Poul Cadovius for Royal System Wall System Book Shelves in Teak, Denmark, 1950s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Amsterdam, NL
unit, most will probably think of Poul Cadovius and his shelving system. It is without doubt the most
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Poul Cadovius and Bjorn Wiinblad for Cado Mid Century Pedestal Dining Table
By Susanne Fjedldoe Mygge, France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Poul Cadovius, Bjørn Wiinblad & Susanne Fjeldsøe MyGge for the Danish factory house MyGge for
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Vintage Nisse Strinning for String Pinewood Shelving System, Sweden, 1960s
By Nils Nisse Strinning, String Design AB, Poul Cadovius
Located in Amsterdam, NL
shelving systems or wall unit by Poul Cadovius. Measures: Length 80 cm Depth 31 cm Height 75 cm.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Vintage Danish Oak Shelving System, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Oak Shelving System, 1960s. Wall unit with shelves in oak. The upright and the metal
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Vintage Danish Oak Shelving System, 1960s.
Vintage Danish Oak Shelving System, 1960s.
H 49.22 in W 101.78 in D 9.26 in
Danish Mid-Century Teak Wall System by Poul Cadovius
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Teak 'Royal' wall system by Poul Cadovius, circa 1960's. This fantastic wall system features solid
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Rosewood Cado System Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cadovius. Wall unit can be customized with varying cabinets and shelving.
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Cado System Wall Unit
Rosewood Cado System Wall Unit
H 78 in W 126 in D 15.75 in
Wall Shelf with Bar Cabinet by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s, the high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Shelves

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Room Dividing Bookcase
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Brooklyn, NY
be placed anywhere in your home or office. Shelving, cabinets storage and a flip top desk area
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Room Dividing Bookcase
Mid-Century Room Dividing Bookcase
H 87.75 in W 91.25 in D 11 in
Danish Wall Unit in Rose Teak, w/ seats, 4 panels, Cabinets w/ keys, Shelves
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Basel, BS
! There are four panels, onto which shelving and cabinets are placed. The wall system comes with
Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Danish Mid Century Wall Unit with 8 Shelves, circa 1950 - 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in New York, NY
the ceiling. Unusual design and construction, not often seen in this style of shelving. The metal
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Colored Yellow, Blue and Teak Modular Wall Bookcase by Hansen & Guldborg Denmark
By Hansen & Guldborg Møbler, Bruno Hansen
Located in Antwerp, BE
The "Royal System" Scandinavian design modular wall shelving system in teak produced by Hansen
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Laminate, Teak

Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by HG Furniture, 1960s.
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, HG Furniture
Located in Asaa, DK
floating shelving system by Danish architects Rud Thygesen og Johnny Sørensen manufactured by HG Furniture
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Hansen & Guldborg Mobler wall bookcase in rosewood, Denmark 1960
By Hansen & Guldborg Møbler
Located in Paris, FR
An important modular wall shelving system in rosewood, produced by Hansen & Guldborg Møbler in
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Rare Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Teak Wood Modular Unit, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
shelving system still remains a timeless classic with an economical, flexible design, offering many
Category

Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Teak

Cado Four-Bay Rosewood Shelving System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in New York, NY
A four-bay rosewood shelving unit by Paul Cadovius. Includes ten shelves, a bar with key, a glass
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Poul Cadovius Chairs Produced by France and Son
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Sint Oedenrode, NL
Poul Cadovius chairs produced by France and Son in the sixties. These Poul Cadovius chairs are very
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Rosewood

Poul Cadovius Chairs Produced by France and Son
Poul Cadovius Chairs Produced by France and Son
H 27.96 in W 33.08 in D 31.11 in
Vintage Poul Cadovius Teak Wall-Unit System
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Panningen, NL
Vintage Danish teak shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius for Cado. Cadovius, the architect and
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Vintage Poul Cadovius Teak Wall-Unit System
Vintage Poul Cadovius Teak Wall-Unit System
H 68.9 in W 94.49 in D 14.97 in
Vintage Poul Cadovius Oak Wall-Unit System
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Panningen, NL
Vintage Danish oak shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius for Cado. Cadovius, the architect and
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Vintage Poul Cadovius Oak Wall-Unit System
Vintage Poul Cadovius Oak Wall-Unit System
H 79.93 in W 63 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Chicago, IL
•Mid-20th century •Teak wood •Mountable •Designed by Poul Cadovius for Cado •France •Other
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
H 97.5 in W 31.5 in D 16 in
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Chicago, IL
•Mid-20th century •Teak wood •Mountable •Designed by Poul Cadovius for Cado •France •Other
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
H 97.5 in W 31.5 in D 16 in
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Chicago, IL
• Teak wood • Mountable • Designed by Poul Cadovius for Cado, • France • Other coordinating
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
H 97.5 in W 31.5 in D 16 in
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Chicago, IL
•Mid-20th century •Teak wood •Mountable •Designed by Poul Cadovius for Cado •France •Other
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
Midcentury Teak Wall Shelving Unit
H 97.5 in W 31.5 in D 16 in
Rosewood Cadovius Lighted Royal System Wall Unit - Room Divider by Cado
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Portland, ME
Wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius in 3 bays, 8 shelves, 2 cabinets. This system is both rare and
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Rosewood

Wall System by Poul Cadovius for Royal Systems, Denmark, 1950s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Lijnden, Noord-Holland
Beautiful wall system or shelving unit by the famous Poul Cadovius from Denmark. Cadovius
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Wall System by Poul Cadovius for Royal Systems, Denmark, 1950s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Lijnden, Noord-Holland
Beautiful wall system or shelving unit by the famous Poul Cadovius from Denmark. Cadovius
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Large Cadovius Shelving System, 4 Panels
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, FR
Large Poul Cadovius (Denmark, 1911-2011) shelving system crafted of teak in the 1960s. This Danish
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Large Cadovius Shelving System, 4 Panels
Large Cadovius Shelving System, 4 Panels
H 96.46 in W 125.99 in D 15.75 in
Poul Cadovius Shelving System Manufactured by CADO, 1960s Made in Denmark
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

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Cadovius Shelving For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more in our collection of cadovius shelving on 1stDibs. A piece of cadovius shelving — often made from wood, hardwood and teak — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the item from our selection of cadovius shelving you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A choice in our collection of cadovius shelving is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are sought with frequency. Poul Cadovius, Cado and Royal System each produced at least one beautiful object in our assortment of cadovius shelving that is worth considering.

How Much is a Cadovius Shelving?

Prices for a piece of cadovius shelving can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $997 and can go as high as $11,711, while the average can fetch as much as $3,420.

Poul Cadovius for sale on 1stDibs

While Poul Cadovius is most famous for his modular floating shelving system, his career in design didn’t actually start with wall units.

Born just outside of Copenhagen in 1911, Cadovius began manufacturing window treatments in the 1940s with his partner, Hother Brønner. He soon turned his focus from Venetian blinds to furniture, finding success designing svelte pieces in teak, a richly colored hardwood favored by the Danish mid-century modernists.

In 1945, Cadovius founded the furniture manufacturer Royal System with his designs, including the 1948 Royal System shelving unit, a space-saving solution that underscored Cadovius’s penchant for problem-solving in a multifunctional way. Rather than balance shelves on wooden or metal legs, it held them to the wall with brackets.

Cadovius followed the Royal System shelving unit with the System Ultra in 1957, the System Cado in 1960 and the System Abstracta, which was installed throughout the exhibition halls of the 1962 Cologne Furniture Fair. All expanded on his idea of wall-mounted shelving that saved space while offering functionality, allowing for limitless combinations of storage, shelves, work surfaces and other units. The Royal System proved to be especially popular and is still produced by Danish furniture brand dk3 today, with early models continuing to be in demand.

Along with the shelving systems, Cadovius designed everything from lounge chairs to mushroom-shaped bus shelters, and he held over 400 patents. In addition to being a designer, he was also an entrepreneur with an eye for opportunity, such as purchasing Danish manufacturer France & Søn in the mid-1960s and folded it into Cado, a company he founded years earlier. He used this as an occasion to experiment with his designs, conceiving such unusual pieces as an aluminum-based dining table topped with rosewood and hand-painted by artist Susan Fjedldoe Mygge.

Cadovius’s innovations in shelving continued throughout his career, with examples like the sculptural Butterfly shelf and vertical pieces mixing shelving and storage. In 2018, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal System, dk3 reissued the celebrated shelving system as well as a more compact version reimagined for 21st-century homes.

Find a collection of vintage Poul Cadovius storage cabinets, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.