Harden Corner Cabinet
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Bookcases
Bamboo, Glass, Lucite
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Pine
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Onyx, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Glass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bookcases
Glass, Ash
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1980s Hollywood Regency Bookcases
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Modern Cabinets
Glass, Lucite
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Fir
Vintage 1970s Belgian Hollywood Regency Shelves
Brass
Late 20th Century Belgian Modern Vitrines
Gold Plate, Chrome
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s Chippendale Corner Cupboards
Glass, Cherry
Vintage 1980s Chippendale Bookcases
Glass, Cherry
Antique 1830s Chinoiserie Dry Bars
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Mission Bookcases
Cherry
Early 20th Century European Art Deco End Tables
Glass, Hardwood
Finding the Right storage-case-pieces 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The spinning corner cabinet is called a “lazy susan” or “turn-table”. In dining, the same design makes food service and sharing of items easy and accessible. On 1stDibs, find a collection of lazy susans from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Corner kitchen cabinets tend to be bigger than regular cabinets. Using corner cabinets to store larger items, such as blenders, rice cookers and slow-cookers, is an efficient way to put these furnishings to work.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.