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Mid Century Modular Bookshelves

Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Modern Modular Oak Bookshelves System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Modern Modular Credenza / Bookshelves System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Oak

1960s Modular MCM Walnut Wall Unit with Drop Down Desk Bookshelves- 5 Pieces
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Madison, WI
This very unique modular 5 Piece Mid Century wall unit set has it ALL, and leaves plenty of room
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Iron

LB7 Bookshelves, Franco Albini for Poggi, 1960
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
elegance, functionality and modularity. Characterized by an airy and light design, the LB7 "Infinito
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

LB7 Bookshelves, Franco Albini for Poggi, 1960
LB7 Bookshelves, Franco Albini for Poggi, 1960
H 118.12 in W 66.93 in D 15.75 in
Freestanding Wall unit, Bookshelves, Roomdivider, Midcentury Modern, 1950s
By Jos De Mey, Van den Berghe-Pauvers 1
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modular wall unit or room divider designed by Jos De Mey for Van den Berghe-Pauvers, Ghent Belgium
Category

Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup with black lats has one
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Mogens Koch Bookcase Wall Unit
By Rud Rasmussen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modular bookcase unit executed in teak, designed by Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen. This impressive
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Mogens Koch Bookcase Wall Unit
Mogens Koch Bookcase Wall Unit
H 92 in W 90 in D 14 in
Reclining Chair in Metal, Hardwood & Leather, Ernesto Hauner, 1960, Brazil
By Ernesto Hauner
Located in New York, NY
this will look great in any type of environment, from mid century to contemporary and modern design
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Credenza in Hardwood and Brass, Ernesto Hauner for Mobilinea, c. 1960s
By Ernesto Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Hauner, c. 1960s is nothing less than a beauty! This spectacular mid-century modern credenza is made
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Brass

People Also Browsed

Mid-Century Modern Bookcase Display Case Cabinet by Michael Taylor for Baker
By Gumps, Johan Tapp
Located in Lafayette, IN
Wonderful Model 2589 Cabinet designed by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture as part of the Far East Collection. This piece features solid walnut construction, adjustable shelves in t...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE (LARGE) floor lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant‘s Foot– for the prominent shape at its ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Textile, Wood, Linen, Fiberglass

Solana Wall Sconces
By Blueprint Lighting
Located in Westport, CT
The "Solana" wall mount sconce or reading light is strongly influenced by Scandinavian, Danish, French, and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. The walnut back plate (available in natural...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Solana Wall Sconces
Solana Wall Sconces
H 13 in W 5 in D 6 in
Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit in Teak and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, teak, coated steel, brass, Europe, 1950s Both aesthetics and functionality comes into play in this bookcase; elegant in line and practical to use for any environment. Th...
Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Steel

Teak and Brass Midcentury Free Standing Bookshelf Attributed to ISA
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Bookshelf made from teak wood in the 1950s.It is equipped with storage unit and shelfs. Overall good condition: this bookshelf has never been restored with the exception of some mino...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno White Wall Unit
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, wall-mounted wall unit, metal, white laminated wood, Italy, 1950s  This wall mounted shelving system was designed by Osvaldo Borsani. Its purpose was a co...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno White Wall Unit
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno White Wall Unit
H 103.15 in W 82.68 in D 13.78 in
Large Wall Unit with Shelves, Desk, and Light by Coen de Vries for Pilastro
By Coen de Vries, Pilastro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and amazing Mid-Century Pilastro wall unit set by Coen de Vries in black and gray. A separate work desk sporting metal drawers and a coordinating teak top sits center to the wal...
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Sheet Metal

Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bookshelf, bar, media cabinet, vitrine, or wall cabinet. It consists...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
H 15.5 in W 70.5 in D 12 in
1950s Midcentury Regency Italian Wood, Brass and Mirror Dry Bar Cabinet Cart
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet cart characterized by its original Asian themed painted front wood pull-out tilt door with interior part in mirror gl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani E22 Double Sided Freestanding Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This double-sided freestanding E22 bookcase is a rare and peculiar example of Borsani's innovative design and the Tecno manufacturing expertise. Its construction of metal, wood, and ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Tri-Fold Opaque Lacquer Folding Screen / Room Divider
By Atlas Industries
Located in Newburgh, NY
Sculptural, handcrafted, self-supporting screen for use as a stand-alone or combined to create a larger privacy wall. The tri-fold design can be oriented with the form tapering eithe...
Category

2010s American Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Hardwood

Franco Albini Rosewood Mid-Century Modern “LB7” Modular Bookcase for Poggi, 1957
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Vicenza, IT
LB7 bookcase, designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Poggi in 1957. Modular bookstore composed by upholds, containers with flying and doors, shelve. The industrial standard...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Iron

Exceptional Minimalistic Vintage Totally free-hanging teak 1960 Retro Desk
Located in Markington, GB
Totally free-hanging large teak 1960 retro desk, super minimalistic. it has a large desk and two cupboards. Height can be adjusted as required, it is very easy to fix to the wall (wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Rare 3 bay wall unit Georges Nelson CSS Shelf Palisander
By George Nelson
Located in London, GB
Georges Nelson Css shelving unit in Palissander Inc 6 shelfs ( 3 wide 3 narrow) 1 desk, 1 glass cabinet, 1 double door Signed for Mobilier International
Category

Vintage 1970s American Shelves

Materials

Bamboo

Mid-Century Modern Italian Adjustable Wall Unit with Shelves and Cabinets
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adjustable wall unit, teak, coated steel, brass, Italy, 1950s Behold this exquisite multifunctional design from Italy, a testament to the mid-century modern design ethos of the 1950...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel

Vintage Scandinavian Modern Teak Drop Front Desk Secretary in a Box, 1960-2000
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome MCM (a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern) vintage Scandinavian Modern drop front desk or secretary in a box. It is in wonderful vintage condition. There has been a small repair on the...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Recent Sales

Modular 5600 Series Desk / Bookcase by Andre Cordemeijer for Gispen
By A.R. Cordemeijer
Located in New York, NY
Modular bookcase / desk wall unit in painted steel from the 5600 series designed Andre Cordemeijer
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks

Bookshelf by Arthur Milani for Wohnhilfe, Switzerland
By Arthur Milani-Wallis 1
Located in Zurich, CH
Midcentury pinewood modular bookshelves with 7 Elements by Arthur Milani for Wohnhilfe. Hande made
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Modern Modular Oak Bookshelves
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Modular Oak & Glass Bookshelves
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Modular Oak & Glass Bookshelves
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

Mid Century Danish Modular Teak Wall System Poul Cadovius Cado Bookshelves Desk
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Norwich, GB
Vintage Danish teak modular wall shelving bookcase/desk designed by Poul Cadovius. Earlier example
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Oscar Desk-Bookshelves by Didier Rozaffy, France circa 1950
By Didier Rozaffy
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
, libraries, and modular furniture. At that time, Oscar furniture was innovative and characterized by its
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Modular Cabinet, Meubles OSCAR, France 1955
By Didier Rozaffy
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Modular Bookshelves, 1950s, by Didier Rozaffy for French Manufacturer Oscar. A hallmark of mid
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Modular Cabinet, Meubles OSCAR, France 1955
Modular Cabinet, Meubles OSCAR, France 1955
H 72.84 in W 59.06 in D 16.93 in
Modular Cabinet by Didier Rozaffy, Meubles Oscar 1955
By Didier Rozaffy
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
, specializing in modular bookshelves and furniture. At that time, Oscar furniture was innovative, characterized
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

1960s Italian Modular Bookcase by Ico Parisi
By Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM), Ico Parisi
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rosewood and metal bookcase composed of four rosewood pedestals with bookshelves and bookends. The
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

1960s Italian Modular Bookcase by Ico Parisi
1960s Italian Modular Bookcase by Ico Parisi
H 86.62 in W 149.61 in D 18.12 in
Modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius, Denmark 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for CADO, Denmark 1960s. This teak setup has two storage
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Teak

Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, 1950s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has one bar cabinet and
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Scandinavian modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has two storage
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Scandinavian modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has four storage
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Modular Wall Unit in rosewood by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark 1960s. This rosewood setup has one
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Modular Wall Unit by Rud Thygesen for Hg Furniture, Denmark, 1960s
By Rud Thygesen, HG Furniture
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Rud Thygesen for HG Furtniture. This teak setup has one drawer cabinet
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Teak

Scandinavian modular wall unit in walnut by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This setup has two storage cabinets
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Borge Mogensen Modular Cabinets for Soborg Mobelfabrik, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century teak bookshelves or cabinet designed by Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobelfabrik. The
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

Wall Unit with Brass Hooks by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has six bookshelves and
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Danish Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960s Danish Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado. This teak setup has three storage cabinets, one
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Teak

Oscar Sideboard by Didier Rozaffy, France circa 1950
By Didier Rozaffy
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
modular bookshelves and furniture. During this period, Oscar furniture was innovative, distinguished by
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Scandinavian Wall Unit in Teak by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has five storage
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Ladderax Shelving Units
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
20th Century Ladderax eight-bay shelving unit. This piece comprises of modular teak bookshelves
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Ladderax Shelving Units
Ladderax Shelving Units
H 78.75 in W 198.82 in D 15.75 in
Wall unit by Poul Cadovius for CADO, Denmark 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado. This teak setup has two storage cabinets, one
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Teak

Vintage Danish Teak Bookcase by Clausen & Søn, 1960s
By Clausen & Søn
Located in Asaa, DK
together as one. Loads of storage space in this Classic Danish Mid-Century Modern bookcase. Depth of
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

2-Bay Poul Cadovius Danish Teak Cado Wall Mount Shelving System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Chattanooga, TN
CADO’s modular shelving system remains an everlasting icon. The ingenious design allows one to easily
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Vittorio Dassi Wall Unit / Dry Bar for Permanente Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950-60
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
the background you see Genuan or Venetians ship. The cabinets, pillars and bookshelves are made of
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Kurt Ostervig Povl Dinesen Danish Teak Adjustable Bookshelves Room Divider
By Kurt Østervig, Povl Dinesen
Located in Ferndale, MI
Modular and adjustable Danish teak wood free standing bookshelf or room divider. Designed by Kurt
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Rosewood Cado Wall System by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado, Royal System
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury Danish Modern five bay Brazilian rosewood modular wall shelving unit, designed by Poul
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood, Maple

Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
has 8 bookshelves. It has a cabinet with 2 sliding door (with a shelve on the inside), a cabinet with
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
8 bookshelves and one deep shelve that can be used as writing table/desk. The parts are supported by
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

AMMA Bookshelf, Italy 1960's
By Amma
Located in Berlin, DE
Bookshelve with rosewood cupboards and shelving, AMMA Italy, 1960's. Rare modular shelving
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

AMMA Bookshelf, Italy 1960's
AMMA Bookshelf, Italy 1960's
H 92.92 in W 112.21 in D 20.08 in
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Mid Century Modular Bookshelves For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of mid century modular bookshelves available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique mid century modular bookshelves was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, hardwood and metal. Mid century modular bookshelves have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Mid century modular bookshelves are generally popular furniture pieces, but mid-century modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Cado, Ernesto Hauner and Poul Cadovius each produced beautiful mid century modular bookshelves that are worth considering.

How Much are Mid Century Modular Bookshelves?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $5,726, while they’re typically $3,895 on the low end and $32,000 highest priced.

A Close Look at Mid-century-modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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.