Skip to main content

Tension Shelves

Tension Pole Free Standing Emerald Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson
Tension Pole Free Standing Emerald Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson

Tension Pole Free Standing Emerald Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson

By George Nelson, Omnibus Design

Located in Chattanooga, TN

elegant tension rather than permanent fixtures. Paired with rich teak shelves, the unit blends airy

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

Tension Pole Free Standing Rose Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson
Tension Pole Free Standing Rose Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson

Tension Pole Free Standing Rose Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson

By Omnibus Design, George Nelson

Located in Chattanooga, TN

refined utility. Four spring-loaded tension poles, finished in rare rose-gold, extend from floor to

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s
Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s

Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in Sherborne, Dorset

comprises of three tension poles, five adjustable shelves, a lectern shelf for vinyl or magazines, and a 2

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Danish Modern Modular Adjustable Wall Unit Shelving 1960s-- 22 pcs Complete Wall
Danish Modern Modular Adjustable Wall Unit Shelving 1960s-- 22 pcs Complete Wall

Danish Modern Modular Adjustable Wall Unit Shelving 1960s-- 22 pcs Complete Wall

By Poul Cadovius

Located in Madison, WI

the shelves Springs for tension pole mounting-- you will need the top and bottom brackets, from the

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Recent Sales

Vintage ‘Omni System’ Tension Pole Unit by George Nelson
Vintage ‘Omni System’ Tension Pole Unit by George Nelson

Vintage ‘Omni System’ Tension Pole Unit by George Nelson

By George Nelson

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid-century tension single bay wall unit. The ‘Omni System’ unit was designed by George Nelson

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Mid-Century Brass Tension Pole Shelf, 1960s
Mid-Century Brass Tension Pole Shelf, 1960s

Mid-Century Brass Tension Pole Shelf, 1960s

Sold

H 98.43 in W 19.69 in D 13.39 in

Mid-Century Brass Tension Pole Shelf, 1960s

Located in Benalmadena, ES

Spectacular Mid-Century Brass Tension Pole Shelf from Floor to Ceiling, 1960s Design. This

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Free Standing Tension Pole Shelving Unit
Mid Century Modern Free Standing Tension Pole Shelving Unit

Mid Century Modern Free Standing Tension Pole Shelving Unit

Located in Astoria, NY

This truly unique shelving unit was made in America in the 1960's. It has kidney-shaped shelves

Category

20th Century American Shelves

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller CSS Unit
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller CSS Unit

Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller CSS Unit

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in Lake Worth, FL

or placed anywhere in the room. Unit includes 3 black tension poles, ten 32" shelves and all hardware

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

1960 Modular by Olof Pira String Shelving System Room Divider Wall Unit Library
1960 Modular by Olof Pira String Shelving System Room Divider Wall Unit Library

1960 Modular by Olof Pira String Shelving System Room Divider Wall Unit Library

By String Design AB, Olof Pira

Located in Sherborne, Dorset

side. Consisting of 5 uprights, 18 shelves and two Lectern shelves. The tension poles have holes from

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Rare 1980s ALU Manfrotto Modular Bookcase Shelf System Wall Unit or Display
Rare 1980s ALU Manfrotto Modular Bookcase Shelf System Wall Unit or Display

Rare 1980s ALU Manfrotto Modular Bookcase Shelf System Wall Unit or Display

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

tension cables and counterweights. These shelves are organized into three-piece sections, with each

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson CSS Shelving Unit with Chalkboard by Herman Miller
George Nelson CSS Shelving Unit with Chalkboard by Herman Miller

George Nelson CSS Shelving Unit with Chalkboard by Herman Miller

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Highland, IN

three tension-mounted uprights supporting six shelves, a desk with three drawers, and a rare chalkboard

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson ‘Omni’ Shelving
George Nelson ‘Omni’ Shelving

George Nelson ‘Omni’ Shelving

Sold

H 90 in W 161 in L 90 in

George Nelson ‘Omni’ Shelving

By George Nelson

Located in Merced, CA

freestanding tension mounted uprights. 24 standard shelves. 1 cabinet box with sliding doors. 1 cabinet

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

People Also Browsed

Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” Sofa for Gavina, Brown Leather, 1962
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” Sofa for Gavina, Brown Leather, 1962

Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” Sofa for Gavina, Brown Leather, 1962

By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” sofa for Gavina, brown leather, Italy, 1962 The "Bastiano" sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, designed for Knoll in 1962, epitomizes architectural d...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

$1,250 / item

H 16 in W 11.5 in D 11.5 in

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Rosso Wall Mirror

Rosso Wall Mirror

$1,395 / item

H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.97 in

Rosso 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...

Category

2010s Italian Renaissance Wall Mirrors

Materials

Glass

Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum
Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum

Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum

By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri

Located in Meolo, Venezia

Il settimanale Arcate fa parte di una collezione esclusiva che include comodini e comò, ideata dal rinomato studio milanese Accardi Buccheri per il brand MEDULUM. La scocca, realizza...

Category

2010s Italian Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass

Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass

By Casey Lurie

Located in Chicago, IL

“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel, Metal

Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s
Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s

Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s

$3,596

H 92.13 in W 58.67 in D 18.51 in

Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s

By Kai Kristiansen

Located in Handewitt, DE

Kai Kristiansen shelf system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 8 shelves - 2 cabinets - 3 wall brackets detailed meas...

Category

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

Materials

Teak

Vintage Dry Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
Vintage Dry Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s

Vintage Dry Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s

$18,718 / set

H 29.93 in W 23.23 in D 75.99 in

Vintage Dry Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s

By Willy Rizzo

Located in Roma, IT

Beautiful vintage dry bar designed in the 1970s and attributed to Willy Rizzo. Orange suede, chromed metal bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored gla...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Dry Bars

Materials

Steel

Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968
Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968

Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968

By Lips Vago

Located in Varese, Lombardia

Congress model bookcase produced by Lips Vago since the 60s in painted steel. The bookcase is completely dismantled and its shelves adjustable in height. This is one of the best book...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Vintage Bookshelf "Cado" by Paul Cadovius, 1960s
Vintage Bookshelf "Cado" by Paul Cadovius, 1960s

Vintage Bookshelf "Cado" by Paul Cadovius, 1960s

$5,323Sale Price|30% Off

H 66.93 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in

Vintage Bookshelf "Cado" by Paul Cadovius, 1960s

Located in Roma, IT

Vintage bookshelf "cado" is an original design item realized by Paul Cadovius, Denmark, in 1960s. Wall unit in teak structure. Five different cabintes with drawers, sliding doors a...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Pair of Nightstands in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Sweden
Pair of Nightstands in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Sweden

Pair of Nightstands in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Sweden

$4,500 / set

H 33.08 in W 26.78 in D 14.18 in

Pair of Nightstands in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Sweden

By Børge Mogensen, Karl Anderson

Located in Lejre, DK

Pair of nightstands in oak with adjustable shelves. Designed by Danish architect Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson cabinetmakers. Made in Sweden in the 1960s. Great condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Oak

"Perf" Sideboard in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel
"Perf" Sideboard in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel

"Perf" Sideboard in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel

$1,712Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 25.6 in W 59 in D 13.8 in

"Perf" Sideboard in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel

By Diesel Creative Team 1, Moroso

Located in Brooklyn, NY

"Perf" is a credenza, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, in varnished steel black mat, with doors in varnished steel available in these colors: copper, blac...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sideboards

Materials

Steel

Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light

Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light

By DBO Home

Located in Sharon, CT

Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase
Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase

Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase

$7,485 / item

H 87 in W 59 in D 18 in

Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase

Located in Westwood, NJ

Finished in Batavia Black with a Sandbar finish interior, this bookcase showcases rhythmic, crescent-shaped oval cut-outs that form an architectural silhouette—an homage to the sculp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Michel Ducaroy Modular Wall Unit in Black Lacquered Wood and Steel
Michel Ducaroy Modular Wall Unit in Black Lacquered Wood and Steel

Michel Ducaroy Modular Wall Unit in Black Lacquered Wood and Steel

By Michel Ducaroy

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Michael Ducaroy, free-standing wall unit, chrome-plated steel, lacquered wood, France, 1970s Sleek and stunning free-standing wall unit designed by Michael Ducaroy in the 1970s. In ...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Pair of Delord & Garrault Floor to Ceiling Lamps
Pair of Delord & Garrault Floor to Ceiling Lamps

Pair of Delord & Garrault Floor to Ceiling Lamps

$28,617 / set

H 110.24 in W 13.78 in D 17.72 in

Pair of Delord & Garrault Floor to Ceiling Lamps

By Garrault-Delord

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

Pair of rare "Sol au plafond" (floor to ceiling) lamps, made of different section of metal tubes holding an enlightnen plexi globe. Adjustable height both at the top and bottom thank...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal, Chrome

George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Modular Wall Unit in Walnut & Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Modular Wall Unit in Walnut & Aluminum

George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Modular Wall Unit in Walnut & Aluminum

Unavailable|$22,000

H 100.4 in W 231.5 in D 19.3 in

George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Modular Wall Unit in Walnut & Aluminum

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in Waalwijk, NL

George Nelson for Herman Miller, modular wall unit model 'CSS', walnut, aluminium, glass, United States, 1959 Herman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Tension Shelves", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Tension Shelves For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of tension shelves is available at 1stDibs. The range of distinct tension shelves — often made from wood, metal and walnut — can elevate any home. There are 4 antique and vintage tension shelves for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 29 modern editions to choose from as well. Tension shelves have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Tension shelves are generally popular furniture pieces, but modern and mid-century modern styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Many tension shelves are appealing in their simplicity, but Cassina, La Chance and Franco Albini produced popular tension shelves that are worth a look.

How Much are Tension Shelves?

Prices for tension shelves start at $820 and top out at $28,134 with the average selling for $6,900.

Finding the Right Shelves for You

From valuable historical memorabilia to rare architectural models to priceless family photos, there’s no shortage of collectibles and curiosities worthy of adorning your home. Why not take the time to find the ideal antique, new or vintage shelves for your treasured trinkets?

For every space and object, there’s sure to be a wall-mounted or sturdy floor solution that matches your shelving needs on 1stDibs. And while shelves should technically stick out from your wall, they shouldn’t from the rest of your decor.

Because you can find shelves made with a wide variety of materials today, everything from teak to brass, your shelving can seamlessly support your existing color scheme and design style. An arrangement of shelves from floor to ceiling can turn your wall into a proud storage space for displaying artwork, decorative objects and books. Options abound with regard to shelving for the latter, as furniture designers know that literature creates an inviting atmosphere in any room, and one of the simplest ways to integrate books into an interior design is with the right shelves or bookcase.

Elegant shelving is a must for a happy home office or library, but a sharp shelving system can freshen up virtually any room in your home. Proudly display your vintage dinner plates and other tableware with open shelving in the kitchen or tuck away linens in big baskets on shelves in your bathroom if you’re navigating life without a proper linen closet.

On 1stDibs, find a wide range of shelves that includes everything from mid-century modern floating shelves to decorative Chinese shelves dating from the 18th century to contemporary statement-making structures that are as provocative as they are convenient.