Edison Little Folks Child's Dresser/ Armoir
By Thomas Edison
Located in Highland, IN
This lovely little child's armoire in maple by Edison Little Folks has handsome deco style detailing and is highly functional with a bank of four drawers over a wide drawer and a com...
Metal
$716
H 21.66 in W 23.43 in D 13.78 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wooden Sewing Cabinet with Several Drawers
Located in Linkebeek, BE
1960s wooden sewing cabinet with several drawers Vintage - Furniture - Mid-Century Measures : 59.5x35cm H:55cm Material : Wood
Wood
1930s Swedish Art Deco Birch Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Swedish Art Deco chest of drawers, circa 1930s, crafted in birch with contrasting burled drawer fronts. Clean architectural lines and a warm, restrained palette reflect the Scandinav...
Wood, Birch
American Designer, Cabinet, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood cabinet designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. Dimensions: 32.75” H x 33” W x 19.25” D
Wood
1950's Vintage Bureau Cabinet by E Gomme
By Ebenezer Gomme
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and quite rare 1950’s vintage bureau cabinet by E Gomme. This was made in England by E Gomme, which a short time after became G Plan. It is of superb quality and has ...
Wood
Bel Geddes for Simmons Dresser
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in New York, NY
Norman Bel Geddes design, for Simmons Furniture Company. Art Deco, Machine Age classic form, considered very Avant Garde when introduced and still considered stylish and relevant. Fo...
Steel
$4,500
H 47.88 in W 33.88 in D 19.75 in
Sleek Donald Deskey Art Deco High Boy Dresser for Widdicomb Furniture in Maple
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in St. Louis, MO
Wonderful period streamline Art Deco design highboy dresser by Donald Deskey (1894-1989) for Widdicomb furniture in maple veneer and aluminum details. Cream lacquered handles and hig...
Aluminum
American Designer, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A stained oak dresser designed and produced in the US, c. 1930s.
Oak
Young Manufacturing Mid Century Highboy Dresser
By Young Manufacturing Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Young Manufacturing Mid Century Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 42 wide x 20.75 deep x 56.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Stain Wear on Front Doors and Top Surface. T...
Wood
20th Century Wood Art Deco English Chest of Drawers, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
English chest of drawers from the first half of the 20th century. This Art Deco-era furniture is carved, veneered, and inlaid with flamed walnut, mahogany, and ebonized wood. Inside ...
Wood
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser Cabinet by John Cameron
Located in Seattle, WA
A striking example of American mid-century design, this vintage highboy dresser was crafted by John Cameron of Gloucester, Massachusetts, known for his Distinctive Furniture line. Th...
Wood
$15,715Sale Price|20% Off
H 46.46 in W 48.04 in D 18.12 in
Pierre Chapo, Cabinet, Model R18A Solid Elm, France, circa 1960
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Genève, GE
Pierre Chapo, Cabinet, Model 'R18A', Solid Elm, France, circa 1960 This model is a first edition, created according to Pierre Chapo's original artisanal methodology. The "R18" sideb...
Elm
Mid-Century Dresser Designed by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser designed by Harvey Probber. Dark mahogany exterior throughout. The cabinet doors show an interesting woven pattern with vertical brass acc...
Brass
$12,500
H 45.75 in W 44 in D 22.5 in
Paul Frankl "Station Wagon" Tall Dresser Johnson Furniture Co. 1940s/50s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Camden, ME
Designated as a classic example of mid-century modern craftsmanship, this Paul Frankl "Station Wagon" Tall 6 Drawer Dresser was produced by Johnson Furniture Co. It exemplifies Fran...
Brass
$4,550Sale Price|30% Off
H 50.25 in W 36 in D 22.5 in
Rare and Handsome Chest or Dresser by Donald Deskey for Luce Furniture Company
By Donald Deskey
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very handsome chest of drawers by the great American designer, Donald Deskey. Produced in Grand Rapids, Michigan by Luce Furniture Company around 1935, the dresser features...
Nickel
1940's Cerused Sideboard by Huntington Chair Corp
Located in Dallas, TX
Clean Modernist lines, a gorgeous dresser or sideboard dating from the 1940's, produced by Huntington Chair Corp - Huntington, West Virginia. Oak grain in cerused finish gives it a u...
Brass
Oak Dresser by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall standing dresser in oak wood by Thomasville Furniture. Four wide drawers and cabinet storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Oak
The 'Matisse' Etagere
Located in London, GB
The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...
Wrought Iron
$277Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.14 in W 2.56 in D 4.14 in
Set of 6 Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
By Roberto Beltrami
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Rosso Glass Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
$5,200
H 30.71 in W 44.89 in D 24.02 in
Anthroposophical Children's Desk by Felix Kayser for Schiller Möbel, circa 1930
By Schiller Möbel, Felix Kayser
Located in Berlin, DE
Anthroposophical children's desk designed by Felix Kayser made of handcrafted ash wood. The desk was probably made by Schiller-Möbel, Stuttgart, Germany, c. 1930. Literature: Reinhol...
Ash, Wood
$4,000
H 16 in W 81 in D 74 in
Vintage Minimalist Dutch old growth pine King floating bed Frame Rustic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Minimalist Dutch pine Custom Made European grand king bed bed Frame or Daybed by Ate Van Apeldoorn. Very cubic and brutalist with dovetail joinery. Bed sitting on two bases w...
Pine
$2,750 / item
H 39.38 in Dm 19.69 in
Rare XL Holophane Pendant Light – Original Paris Streetlamp, France, 1960
Located in Almelo, NL
Rare XL Holophane Pendant Light – Original Paris Streetlamp, France, 1960 This exceptional extra-large Holophane pendant light is a rare and iconic example of mid-century industrial...
Metal
$8,031
H 95.87 in W 66.54 in D 20.08 in
Large Antique German Pitch Pine Corner Apothecary Cabinet / Vitrine ca 1900s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This stunning corner apothecary cabinet was made in Germany around the turn of the century. It features two vitrines with shelves and both small and large square drawers at both ends...
Pine
Children Rocking Wooden Toy
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very beautiful children's rocking chair in beech plywood minimalist craftsmanship the design of the rocking chair is essentially a nod to the shape of a swinging banana!
Bentwood
Fabric Pende Woka Chandelier
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Handsewn fabric shade, dessin by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, hanging on a fabric-covered wire, brass-parts in the requested finish. Total drop custom made 2 x Edison screw sockets ...
Brass
$404
H 3.55 in W 18.12 in D 14.38 in
Swing Tractor Seat Chair, in Red like Achille Castiglione Stool, circa 1970
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
Mid Century Danish Children's Rocking Elephant C.1960
Located in London, GB
Mid Century Danish Children's Rocking Elephant C.1960 Excellent design element to a children's room. Fully functioning as a rocking toy. In very good condition commensurate wit...
Plywood
Thomas Webb & Sons Two-Color Cameo Vase
By Thomas Webb & Sons
Located in New Orleans, LA
Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with...
Glass
$60,089Sale Price|20% Off
H 104.34 in W 153.55 in D 19.69 in
Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Complete antique pharmacy cabinet, with 3 open bookcases on the sides, 1 bookcase with drawers and 2 original doors with glass and enameled mirror sign. Built in the mid-19th century...
Glass, Walnut
$27,976 / set
H 63.78 in W 73.63 in D 32.29 in
Luigi Colani Rappelkiste Multifunctional Children's Unit
By Luigi Colani
Located in Petershagen, DE
Luigi Colani, "Rappelkiste," 1975. Manufactured by Elbro (August Ellerbrok), Germany. This is a rare and early example of Colani's design ethos translated into a multifunctional, ch...
Fabric, Beech
$8,610 / item
H 43.31 in W 106.3 in D 92.52 in
Mid-century Modern Judy Bed Designers Guild Handmade in Portugal by Ottiu
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
The Judy Bed is a luxurious tribute to the timeless elegance of Judy Garland. This exquisite piece embodies classic Hollywood glamour and is designed to elevate any bedroom with its ...
Textile, Bouclé, Wood
Lloyd Loom Art Deco Six Piece Child's Suite of Furniture
By Lloyd Loom
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable child's six piece suite of furniture crafted in wicker in art deco high style including a settee, rocking chair, armchair, table, lamp and planter all in the orig...
Wicker
When you’re shopping for antique, new and vintage children’s furniture, you’ll want your choices to fit nicely within the decor scheme of the rest of your home. But you’ll also want to create an alluring and inspirational space for your children to feel relaxed and encouraged creatively. Indeed, a child’s room can be simultaneously stylish and playful — the ideal environment for children.
Understandably, beds were the first piece of furniture designed for young children. In Ancient Egypt, children’s beds were scaled-down versions of adult beds. They were intended to be a logical size for a child and low enough to the ground so that they could climb in by themselves.
Historians discovered early high chairs in Ancient Greece. In the 6th century B.C., a child’s training potty might have also been used as a high chair, while archaeologists on a dig discovered a terracotta high chair in a marketplace in Athens. By the Renaissance period, children’s bookshelves were popular with upper-class families who had disposable income and the desire to beautify all areas of the home. The original purpose was to organize school books, but shelves eventually became integral to children’s rooms of the era.
In the early 20th century, Italian physician Maria Montessori changed the way designers thought about children’s furniture. She wrote that it was important for children to have a safe environment of their own that they could easily navigate. Montessori believed that children’s furniture should be sized for them but that it should also be made of light, durable materials so that it’s easy for them to carry if needed.
Today’s widely known mid-century modern furniture designers took interest in the idea that young children should have well-crafted furniture of their own. You can find vintage mid-century modern children’s furniture created by the likes of Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames and Alvar Aalto. Contemporary industrial designer and architect Philippe Starck is also known for having introduced versions of his furniture that were geared toward children, especially his seating and storage solutions.
It’s never too early for good design. Decorating a child’s room offers the opportunity to combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit and can result in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical. On 1stDibs, find design ideas for children’s rooms as well as a variety of new, antique and vintage children’s furniture today.