With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his coffee tables, chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.
Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.
Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat.
Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s.
Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)
While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces.
Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.
Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.
60s 70s Teak Teak Shelf Wall Unit Kai Kristiansen Danish Design 60s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s teak teak shelf wall unit Kai Kristiansen Danish Design 60s Object: wall unit Manufacturer: Kai Kristiansen Condit...
Metal
Wall System by Kai Kristiansen for FM Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in oak. Incl. one glass door cabinet and lamp. Produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik iDenmark in 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 6 shelves - 1 magazine ...
Glass, Oak
Danish Floating Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s.
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Floating Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern wall mounted two tier shelf in teak. Designed by Kai Kristiansen and manuf...
Teak
Danish Vintage Reol Shelve Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Meet a true icon of Danish modern: the reol (shelving) system by Kai Kristiansen. Clean lines, clever proportions, and that effortless Scandinavian cool—this modular system is everyt...
Rosewood
1960s Narrow Version Teak Shelves for Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit Feldballe Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Narrow version of 1960s teak shelves for Kai Kristiansen ´wall unit by Feldballe Møbler Additional teak shelves for Kai Kristiansens FM wall...
Teak
1960s Wide Version Teak Shelves for Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit Feldballe Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s teak shelves for Kai Kristiansen ´wall unit by Feldballe Møbler Extra teak shelves for Kai Kristiansens FM wall unit shelf system. Th...
Teak
1960s Wall shelf, Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s in teak veneer with four shelves and two aluminium ladders veneered in teak. Quality Features: accomplished design: perfect proportions a...
Aluminum
1960s Wall shelf, Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of six shelves, a writing surface, one container with two do...
Aluminum
Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960 Danish design by F.H Møbler Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 48 D x 260 W x 190 H cm ...
Glass, Teak
Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960 Danish design by F.H Møbler Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 25 D x 174 W x 220 H cm ...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 68.75” L x 11” D x 79.5” H Description: A vintage oak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Freshly imported from Denmark. Comp...
Metal
Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960 Danish design by F.H Møbler Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 46--25 D x 174 W x 220 H ...
Teak
Model 128 Wall Shelf or Console by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Rar Modell 128 Wall Shelf by Designer and Cabinet Maker Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard in Teak.
Teak
Vintage Floating Console in Teak by Kai Kristiansen for Axel Kjersgaard
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage 'Model 132' Danish teak floating wall shelf in teak by Kai Kristiansen for Axel Kjersgaard. Beautifully constructed with two box joint constructed drawers adorned with stainl...
Teak
10 Kai Kristiansen Teak Bookend Set. Denmark 1960 by Feldballe Møbelfabrik
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Genève, GE
10 pices Kai Kristiansen Teak Bookend Set — Denmark, 1960s An elegant set of Mid-Century Modern bookends designed by Kai Kristiansen and crafted in the 1960s by Feldballe Møbelfabr...
Teak
H 62.21 in W 61.82 in D 7.88 in
Asymmetric Wall Shelf, France, 1960s/70s
By Pierre Chapo, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Unique asymmetric wall shelf, France, 1960s/70s. In original condition. One shelf has a hole (see photos). Fast shipping worldwide.
Wood
H 58.86 in W 33.08 in D 11.82 in
Vintage Danish Wall Mounted Teak Shelving System, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Kurt Østervig
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish wall mounted teak shelving system, 1960s. Floating Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern one bay wall unit in teak with 4 shelves. Each shelf is mounted on black metal bra...
Teak
H 80 in W 95 in D 19 in
50 Piece Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 50 pieces of this amazing Barzilay walnut wall unit with aluminum accents. Please contact us for custom pricing and visit our L...
Aluminum
H 33.75 in W 33.75 in D 15.75 in
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik MCM Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser This dresser measures: 33.75 wide x 15.75 deep x 33.75 high We take our photos in a controlled ...
Teak
H 30.32 in W 23.63 in D 12.6 in
Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bern, CH
Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers. With five drawers. Produced by Feldballes Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark ca. 1960. Lovely detailing to handles. In beautiful original conditio...
Teak
H 23.63 in W 47.25 in D 13.39 in
Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Bench with Chest of Drawers, Teak, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen bench with movable chest of drawers on top. Made of partly solid teak. Made by Aksel Kjersgaard 1960s.
Teak
H 80 in W 104 in D 18 in
Mid century Danish rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen FM, with desk & light
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Liberty, NY
Stunning mid century Danish rosewood three bay wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler. Consists of two large cabinets - 28.5" tall and 11" deep, 33 5/8" wide with two adjustable ...
Rosewood
H 59.06 in W 32.29 in D 9.85 in
1960s Wall shelf, Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s in teak veneer with four shelves and two aluminium ladders veneered in teak. Quality Features: accomplished design: perfect proportions a...
Aluminum
H 72 in W 95 in D 20 in
Poul Cadovius "CADO" 3-bay Rosewood Modular Shelf System Wall Unit Denmark 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning "CADO" 3-bay Rosewood Modular Shelf System Wall Unit designed by Poul Cadovius ,made in Denmark consisting of 4 modular cabinets and 10 adjustable shelves which can be arran...
Rosewood
H 78.75 in W 96 in D 17.5 in
Vintage Kai Kristiansen's FM Reolsystem Shelving System in Rosewood 1960s
Located in Emeryville, CA
This exquisite vintage FM Reolsystem shelving system, designed by the renowned Danish designer Kai Kristiansen, is a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Crafted from richl...
Rosewood
H 54 in W 25 in D 7 in
Vintage Italian Folding Wall Shelf, Black Iron & Gilt, Circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black iron & gilt folding Italian wall shelf.
Iron
H 48.75 in W 31.5 in D 17.66 in
Kai Kristiansen Danish Teak Chest of Drawers
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish tall dresser crafted in richly grained teak with gently curved, pattern-matched drawer fronts and recessed circular pulls. The top drawer fe...
Teak
H 78.75 in W 35.04 in D 13 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s.
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. Floating modular 1 bay shelving system model FM Reolsystem. This system consists of: 2 Aluminium uprights 200 cm. 3 Shelves, depth 28 cm. 3 HiFi shelf...
Rosewood
H 78.75 in W 96 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern FM Reolsystem by Kai Kristiansen, Rosewood, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Emeryville, CA
This exquisite vintage FM Reolsystem shelving system, designed by the renowned Danish designer Kai Kristiansen, is a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Crafted from richl...
Rosewood
H 39.38 in W 98.43 in D 11.42 in
Kai Kristiansen Oak Shelf System 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in oak by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 8 shelves - 4 wall brackets detailed measurements: shelves: 3x 28.0...
Metal
H 76.78 in W 101.19 in D 17.72 in
Kai Kristiansen MidCentury Scandinavian Dark Wood Shelves System Fm Møbler 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian mid-century moder design dark wood wall system designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by FM Mobler, consisting of 9 shelves of different depths, 1 lectern shelf, 2 co...
Wood
H 78.75 in W 96 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Kai Kristiansen's FM Reolsystem Shelving System in Rosewood 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Emeryville, CA
This exquisite vintage FM Reolsystem shelving system, designed by the renowned Danish designer Kai Kristiansen, is a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Crafted from richl...
Rosewood
H 3.15 in W 33.86 in D 9.45 in
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Shelves Teak Bookshelf FM Furniture Feldballes Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Basel, BS
Pair of floating teak shelves by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, made in Denmark in the early 1970s. They can be mounted b...
Teak
H 79.14 in W 67.72 in D 11.42 in
1960s Wall-Mounted Shelving System by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A stunning mid-century modern shelving system, designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by FM Møbler, Denmark. Design: Elegant and minimalist, with a modular structure Material: Hig...
Aluminum
H 88 in W 103 in D 12.5 in
Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 103” L x 88” H x 12.5” D (Deepest) Description: A vintage rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Gorgeous rosewood back...
Metal
H 74.02 in W 23.63 in D 11.42 in
Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960 Danish design by F.H Møbler Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 19-29-46 D x 60 W x 188 H...
Teak
H 68.9 in W 33.67 in D 12.6 in
A Pair of Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler Wall Units – Denmark, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This high-quality teak wall units by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler are stunning examples of Danish mid-century modern design. Featuring a modular system, these pieces offers both fun...
Glass, Teak
H 68.9 in W 100.79 in D 12.6 in
Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler Wall Unit – Denmark, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This high-quality teak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler is a stunning example of Danish mid-century modern design. Featuring a modular system, this piece offers both functi...
Teak
H 86.62 in W 101.19 in D 12.6 in
Kai Kristiansen MidCentury Scandinavian Dark Wood Shelves System Fm Møbler 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury modern design scandinavian dark wood shelving system designed by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler consisting of 12 shelves with different depths, manufacturer’s adhesive labe...
Metal