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Retro Cube Shelves

Palaset Stacking Cube System Treston Fnland
By Palaset
Located in Philadelphia, PA
! Perfect to use in several places throughout the house! Cubes can be turned and handles moved to make the
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Retro Palaset Stacking Cube System Treston Fnland
Palaset Stacking Cube System Treston Fnland
$1,600 / set
H 54.5 in W 41.5 in D 13.5 in
Willy Guhl Modular Fiber Concrete Cube Set
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Modular set of reinforced fiber concrete shelving cubes in three sizes retaining remnants of the
Category

1960s Swiss Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Concrete

Retro Willy Guhl  Modular Fiber Concrete Cube Set
Willy Guhl  Modular Fiber Concrete Cube Set
$20,000 / set
H 15.75 in W 23.5 in D 11.75 in
Space-Age Red Plastic Cube Modular Shelving Record Storage
Located in Lake Worth, FL
This vintage space-age red plastic cube modular shelving system, dating from the 1970s-80s, is a
Category

1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Fun Panton Inspired Stacking Cube Etagere Mid-century Modern
By Verner Panton
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Super fun Panton inspired stacking cube etagere. 4 brightly lacquered cubes stack one on top of
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Retro Fun Panton Inspired Stacking Cube Etagere Mid-century Modern
Fun Panton Inspired Stacking Cube Etagere Mid-century Modern
$1,960 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 72 in W 18 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan De Vries, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Midcentury Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries for Domus, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Acerbis 1970s Wall Modular System ‘Life’ Designed by Roberto Monsani
By Acerbis, Roberto Monsani
Located in Parma, IT
internally equipped: With glass shelves. One cube with bar. One cube with drawer.                     
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Palaset modular storage cubes
Located in St. Louis, MO
Modular storage cubes, designed to fit together in different configurations, some with yellow front
Category

1970s Finnish Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Retro Palaset modular storage cubes
Palaset modular storage cubes
H 13.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Cubby Holed Cube Sculpture Cubicles
Located in Brooklyn, NY
tower of four 5-sided cubes, presentable from every angle
Category

1960s American Retro Cube Shelves

Cubby Holed Cube Sculpture Cubicles
Cubby Holed Cube Sculpture Cubicles
H 72 in W 25.5 in D 30 in
Palaset Ristomatti Ratia Vintage Modular Storage Cubes
By Ristomatti Ratia
Located in Westport, CT
Vintage palaset Ristomatti Ratia modular storage cubes two open shelf compartment and three draw
Category

Late 20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Paint, Resin, Wood

Chinese Red Lacquered Elmwood Cube Bookcase / Shelf
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese Red Lacquered Elmwood Cube Bookcase / Shelf This twelve-sectioned red lacquered shelf is
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Mid-Century Modern Cube Chrome and Glass Étagère
Located in Houston, TX
This is a Mid-Century Modern cube chrome and glass étagère. The étagère features cube shaped
Category

Mid-20th Century American Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Set of Four Stacking Cubes in Lacquered Grasscloth
By Karl Springer
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage set of Karl Springer style lacquered grasscloth open cubes that stack to form a chic
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Grasscloth

Pair of Vintage Yellow Plastic Record or Storage Cubes
By Palaset, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of yellow plastic storage cubes in the style of Kartell or Palaset. Perfectly sized for
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Palaset Modular Storage Cubes by Ristomatti Ratia 60% OFF original
By Palaset, Ristomatti Ratia
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Palaset modular storage cubes by Ristomatti Ratia. These are a modular storage system
Category

1970s Finnish Retro Cube Shelves

Vintage Joe Colombo Palaset Style Plastic Red 3 Drawer Cube 'B'
By Joe Colombo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Joe Colombo Palaset style plastic red 3 drawer cube (B). Item features 3 sliding drawers
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Joe Colombo Palaset Style Plastic Red 3 Drawer Cube 'A'
By Joe Colombo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Joe Colombo Palaset style plastic red 3 drawer cube (A). Item features 3 sliding drawers
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Set of 4 plexiglass cubes by Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois, France, 1970s
By Roche Bobois, Michel Dumas
Located in Lyon, FR
Set of 4 plexiglass cubes designed by Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois in the 1970s in France. They
Category

1970s French Space Age Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plexiglass

Midcentury Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan De Vries, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century set of modular wooden cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, Italy, 1960s Dimensions : Cube
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Set of Modular Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, The Netherlands
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-century set of modular wooden cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, The Netherlands, 1960s.
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Set of Modular Green Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century set of modular green wooden cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, Italy , 1960s Measures
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Set of Modular Green Wooden Cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century set of modular green wooden cubes by Derk Jan de Vries, The Netherlands, 1960s
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Mirrored Console Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Manhasset, NY
adding depth and personality! Versatile in design with six cubed shelves of storage. Having a three-door
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Lane First Edition Mid Century Gentlemans Chest Armoire, Mid-Century Modern
By Lane Furniture
Located in Buffalo, NY
modernist design..ribbed doors,,a-top cubed shelves,,three generous drawers,,Super stylish,, Great design
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Walnut

Chrome & Brass Etagere Shelving Unit ca. 1970s
Located in Peabody, MA
Chrome Etagere with smoked glass shelves, and cubed brass joint accents, ca. 1970s.
Category

1970s American Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome, Brass

An Important Vintage Italian Three-Section Room Divider/Wall Unit
Located in North Miami, FL
. 10 shelves, 3 cubed units and can be configured to your preferences. An excellent room divider or
Category

1950s Italian Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Metal

Vintage Polished Stainless Steel Cube Tables with Glass Shelves
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
These vintage cube end tables or side tables are expertly crafted from polished stainless steel
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Minimalist Chrome Cube Tables with Glass Shelves in the Style of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist chrome cube tables with glass shelves in the style of Milo Baughman, 1970s. These tables
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Elmwood Cube Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Elmwood Cube Bookcase This bookcase has 12 cubes and 3 shelves
Category

1990s Chinese Rustic Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood, Elm, Lacquer

Large Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
locking cabinet to the left and four dovetailed drawers to the right. In the back are three cube like
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Teak

Large Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk
Large Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk
H 31 in W 30 in D 59.5 in
Milo Baughman Style Cube Chrome Etagere with Glass Shelves
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Modernist geometric 1970s chrome and glass stacked cube tower shelving unit attributed to Milo
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Chrome Cube Form Etagere
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Stacked chrome cubes with glass shelves - each "cube" interior measures approximately 15"- D x 12.5
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Chrome Cube Form Etagere
Chrome Cube Form Etagere
H 66.75 in W 17.75 in D 17.75 in
Art Deco Gents Blonde Two-Door Maple Wardrobe, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
storage it provides. Offering three good sized cubed shelves to the right which are glazed, a nifty
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Walnut

Stylish Original Art Deco Satinwood Double Wardrobe, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
hanging area with a chrome shoe rail to one side and four open cubed shelves with two drawers below with
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Art Deco English Burl Walnut Triple Wardrobe, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
but it's extremely generous in the storage it provides. Offering five good sized open cubed shelves to
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Blonde Walnut Tallboy, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
one side and five open cubed shelves the other with two full length drawers to the base. We've given
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Art Deco Blonde Walnut Tallboy, circa 1930
Art Deco Blonde Walnut Tallboy, circa 1930
H 66.15 in W 38.19 in D 18.12 in
Modular Chrome and Glass Étagère Attributed to Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Redding, CT
shelves. Cube shaped compartments give this a modern space age in design. In excellent condition. Perfect
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Poul Nørreklit Wall Unit in Plexiglass / Lucite and Rosewood, Denmark, 1960s
By George Peterson, Poul Nørreklit
Located in Buffalo, NY
functional storage system consisting of drop down desk, five shelves, cube with 3 drawers, single drawer unit
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson Mid- Century Storage Wall Unit Bookcase and Desk for Omni
By George Nelson
Located in St. Louis, MO
drawers, storage cube, book shelves and lights. Sold with three lights, two of the lights are missing the
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson Mid-Century Storage Wall Unit Bookcase for Omni
By George Nelson
Located in St. Louis, MO
, sliding door storage cube, book shelves and lights. The double shelf at the bottom, Sold with four
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Magic Cube Table by Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
A Magic Cube Table by Gabriella Crespi, 1970. This low brass cube table has retractable shelves on
Category

1970s Italian Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Brass

Magic Cube Table by Gabriella Crespi
Magic Cube Table by Gabriella Crespi
H 17 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
Storage Cubes - Maria Pergay
Located in SouthPort, CT
Pair of storage cubes in matte stainless steel by Maria Pergay, France, c. 1975. Can also be used
Category

1970s French Retro Cube Shelves

Storage Cubes - Maria Pergay
Storage Cubes - Maria Pergay
H 14 in W 14 in D 14 in
Brightly Colored Storage Cubes
Located in Waltham, MA
Set of artist made brightly colored tables/storage cubes from the 1970s. Can be arrange in
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Paint

Brightly Colored Storage Cubes
Brightly Colored Storage Cubes
H 17 in W 17 in D 14 in
1960s Mod Department Store Display Cubes
Located in Hudson, NY
1960s display cubes from a department store with the label Paul Flum. They are great for objects
Category

1960s American Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plastic, Wood

1960 Hovmand-Olsen Pair of Rosewood Wall Mount Cubes
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Hudson, NY
Restored. Have some minor scratches. Labelled. Attach to wall with wooden cleat.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Rosewood

Verner Panton Chrome Wire Cube Shelf, 1971
By Verner Panton
Located in Porto, PT
The Panton wire cube was designed by Verner Panton for Montana, 1971.
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Verner Panton Chrome Wire Cube Shelf, 1971
Verner Panton Chrome Wire Cube Shelf, 1971
H 13.71 in W 13.71 in D 13.71 in
Set of Willy Guhl Shelves Cube , 1968 Midcentury
By Willy Guhl
Located in PÉZENAS, FR
Wonderfull set of 7 shelves Wlly Ghul in differents sizes of cubes The cube are signed by Eternit
Category

1960s Swiss Industrial Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Cement

Pair 1970's Cube Brass Glass End Tables Two Shelves
Located in New York, NY
This is a great pair of circa 1970's cube design side tables in brass with glass shelving on the
Category

1970s Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Glass

Modular Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in San Francisco, CA
color and grain in wood. Four modular cubes with two glass shelves each. Wall mounted.
Category

1950s Danish Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Rosewood

Desk in a Box
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Home office in one unit. When closed, unit becomes a cube. Open, there are many shelves, center
Category

1960s English Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Metal

1950s Charles Eames Original 2nd Series ESU Cube Cabinet Shelf
By Charles Eames
Located in Tulsa, OK
This is cutre as they come for original 1950s Eames ESU pieces! It is a one high one wide cube. It
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Steel

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Rare Konrad Galaaen Colorful Mid-Century Ceramic Tile Abstract Wall Sculpture
By Konrad Galaaen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made by Konrad Galaaen, this series of sculptures was made in Norway. Made of many squares of varying sizes, they form an abstract shape with no definable pattern. Like ...
Category

1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Willy Guhl Concrete Mirror with Spikes, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Willy Guhl concrete mirror. Round bowl with vertical spikes. Substantial concrete vessel originally produced at the Eternit factory in Switzerland in the 1960’s. Custom mir...
Category

1960s Swiss Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Willy Guhl "Vasque" Cement Planter for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s "Vasque" cement planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter has a large wide bowl with pedestal base. Guhl (1915-2004), a Swiss modernist design pioneer, created iconic...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Mirror
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl mirror with fantastic patina'd thick signature cement frame and new mirror 2 sizes available / multiple quantities.
Category

1960s Swiss Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Mirror
Willy Guhl Mirror
$1,800 / item
H 12.75 in W 12.75 in D 3.5 in
Pendant light T-510 in Pinewood by Hans-Agne Jakobsson for AB Markaryd, 1960s
By AB Markaryd, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Ib Fabiansen, Jo Hammerborg, Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in Vorst, BE
Pine veneer pendant lamp model T-510 by Hans-Agne Jakobsson. Manufactured by AB Ellysett in Sweden. The lamp is composed by pine veneer stripes, bent in a ring form and fixed onto a...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Pine

Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign Made from double sided glass with reflective silver illuminated text, this early 20th century example of an English chemist tra...
Category

1930s British Late Victorian Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Metal

1960s Lane Swivel Dry Bar Cabinet Space Age Modernism
By Lane Furniture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a rare and hard to find 1960s stylish swivel dry dar Cabinet by LANE. Walnut and chrome. Space age modernism. Top dry bar mounted in tulip base. Top swivel. M...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Fun Orange Slice 1960s Dining Table Four Chairs Probber Style Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous fun set of four dining chairs with matching orange slice flower dining table. All the metal frames have been freshly powder coated in the same exact color they originally we...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Metal

Henry Mouynet Rare Art Deco Pink Pendant Chandelier, 1920
By Mouynet Schneider
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Superb French Art Deco chandelier by Charles Schneider for Henry Mouynet (Paris), France, circa 1920. Charles Schneider produced some of his finest models for Henry Mouynet. There we...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Brass

Red Steel "Bambù" Double Bed by Giovanni Ausenda for Ny Form, Italy, 1970s
By Giovanni Ausenda, Ny Form
Located in Milan, IT
Minimal "Bambù" double bed by Giovanni Ausenda for Ny Form. Red steel frame and brass details. Wood slates frame available. Literature: Casa Vogue Magazine #53/45 February 1976
Category

1970s Italian Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Brass, Steel

1970s Industrial Cast Aluminium, Glass and Brass Flameproof Strip Light & Shade
By Daeyang
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Korean flameproof strip light made by Daeyang circa 1978 with a polished finish. Originally these would have illuminated hazardous areas on super tankers, cargo ships and military v...
Category

1970s Korean Industrial Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Belgian Brutalist Stool/NIghtstand in Solid Ayous Wood
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
These stools/nightstands maintain the Impressive Allure of our Belgian Made Brutalist Style Dining Table. The same charm, pure simplicity and clean edges, leaving room for appreciati...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Brutalist Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Wood

Belgian Brutalist Stool/NIghtstand in Solid Ayous Wood
Belgian Brutalist Stool/NIghtstand in Solid Ayous Wood
$1,250 / item
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Italian Space Age Demetrio Coffee Lounge Table by Vico, 1960s
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Hamburg, DE
Simple coffee table by the renowned manufacturer Artemide after a design by Vico Magistretti from the 60s. A simple design with elegant curves. The flat table has a square design. T...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Mid-Century Willy Rizzo Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century rectangular serving tray fully made in a gorgeous and vibrant tortoiseshell effect lucite. This charming piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s and is att...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Pianura' Lounge in Walnut and Striped Upholstery
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Pianura' lounge chair, walnut, fabric, Italy, 1971 The Pianura series is conceived by Mario Bellini for the Italian furniture company Cassina in 1971. Th...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Le Mah Jong Modular Sofa Hans Hopfer Roche Bobois Missoni Silk Velvet, Corduroy
By Missoni, Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mah Jong modular sofa set by Hans Hopfer, designed in 1971 for Roche Bobois and in a current customized mix of textiles from Sonia Rykiel and the house of Missoni. Features multiple ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Cube Shelves

Materials

Silk, Velvet

Le Mah Jong Modular Sofa Hans Hopfer Roche Bobois Missoni Silk Velvet, Corduroy
Le Mah Jong Modular Sofa Hans Hopfer Roche Bobois Missoni Silk Velvet, Corduroy
$22,720 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 7.49 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
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Retro Cube Shelves For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of retro cube shelves available on 1stDibs. The range of distinct retro cube shelves — often made from wood, metal and plastic — can elevate any home. Retro cube shelves have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Retro cube shelves bearing mid-century modern or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Many retro cube shelves are appealing in their simplicity, but Palaset, Ristomatti Ratia and Ello produced popular retro cube shelves that are worth a look.

How Much are Retro Cube Shelves?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $3,269, while they’re typically $700 on the low end and $10,000 highest priced.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces 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 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. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, 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.

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