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.
Danish Midcentury Wall-Mounted Console shelf in Teak by Kai Kristiansen
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Danish Mid-Century Wall-Mounted Console / Shelf with Drawers in Teak by Kai Kristiansen Elegant and highly functional wall-mounted console or shelf designed by Kai Kristiansen, craf...
Teak
Danish Midcentury Wall-Mounted Console shelf in Teak by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Danish Mid-Century Wall-Mounted Console / Shelf with Drawers in Teak by Kai Kristiansen Elegant and highly functional wall-mounted console or shelf designed by Kai Kristiansen, craf...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Scandinavian Dark Wood Set, Denmark 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian midcentury modern design set consisting of movable chest of drawers and side table in dark wood, designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Aksel Kjersgaard, brand prin...
Wood
$889Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Mid-Century Oak Coffee Table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Oirlo, LI
Mid-century oak coffee table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard 1960s This is a square coffee table designed by Kai Kristiansen made by Aksel Kjersgaard. Beautiful table...
Oak
Extendable Round Dining Table by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Göteborg, SE
This elegant dining table is a timeless creation by Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by the renowned Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark during the 1960s. Ka...
Rosewood
$5,400 / set
H 17.25 in W 33.375 in D 17 in
Rosewood Nesting Tables Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik Denmark, 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Camden, ME
Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik design rare set of 3 rosewood nesting tables produced in Denmark, 1960. The beautifully grained Brazilian rose...
Rosewood
$509
H 3.55 in W 19.69 in D 5.91 in
Danish Mid-Century Wall Mounted Teak Console or Entryway Table, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small wall unit for your entrance way area or beneath a mirror as a practical shelf with small two drawers and one center compartment. It is made from Teak, featuring two dove-tail d...
Teak
$710
H 10.63 in W 17.33 in D 8.27 in
Midcentury Rattan & Bamboo Wall Shelf or Console Att. Franco Albini, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful rectangular wall shelf or console in rattan and bamboo attributed to Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Bamboo, Rattan
Midcentury Kai Kristiansen Style Teak Coffee Table
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Esperance, NY
This is a very nice vintage teak coffee table with a smoked glass top. The table was made in Belgium.
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood 1960s Danish Dressing Table
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 40 Rosewood Dressing table with folding 3-piece mirror. This dressing table was made from highly figured exotic rosewood by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark in the 1...
Rosewood
Wall-Mounted Console Table by J.M. Szymanski in Blackened Steel
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
CONSOLE NO. 6 A wall-mounted floating console in carved blackened steel, defined by a rhythmic system of undulating legs that gives the piece both structure and movement. The surfa...
Steel
Freestanding Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Mid century danish freestanding teak desk. Designed by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured by FM. Model FM60. With 3 drawers on each side and forward with open shelves.
Teak
$3,438 / item
H 17.33 in W 35.04 in D 11.82 in
Kai Kristiansen Flower Tables Produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare flower tables designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark. Price is listed / item.
Metal
$4,290
H 17 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Rare Checkerboard Nesting Tables Kai Kristiansen / Aksel Kjersgaard set 3 Teak
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Checkerboard Nesting Tables by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard..Set of 3 in Teak...Top table featuring checkerboard parquet pattern,Nice original condition,,,,Wonderful wa...
Teak
$2,280
H 20.48 in W 55.91 in D 26.38 in
Teak Coffee Table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1970's
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice coffee or side table. Designed by the Danish designer Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1970's. Fabricated and designed with endowment, made of teak.
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Console
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1960s. A scarce and smartly designed console table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard. Features rosewood construction with a slightly flared rectangular top support...
Rosewood
Entrance Hall Set by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Entrance ( hallway set by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Odder 1960s. The set consists of a side table and a small drawer cabinet. Drawer cabinet is moveable on the table. Thi...
Oak
Danish Modern Floating Console in Teak by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s.
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Floating Console in Teak by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s. Danish Mid-Century Modern wall console or bedside table by Kai Kristiansen for Kaagaards Møbelfabrik, made in Denma...
Teak
Sold
H 29 in W 61 in D 30 in
Rosewood and Aluminum Desk by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous Rosewood and Aluminum desk by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik was designed and produced in the 1960s, Denmark, and features incredible Brazilian Rosewood with vivid exotic grain which was beautifully refinished in a French Polish lacquer, the most expensive and laborious process which achieves the most luxurious results. French Polish requires many hand applied coats which provides a strong and hard protective surface suitable for regular daily use while giving a clear and thick glass-like surface that accentuates and exemplifies the exotic wood grain. This freestanding desk floats on top of two structural legs finished with aluminum capped feet which also match the drawer handles on the six pull out drawers. On the backside of the desk are three cubby spaces with ample room to store your favorite books, picture frames or family kick-knacks and tchotchkes. This exotic 1960s Rosewood desk by Kai Kristiansen produced by Feldballes Mobelfabrik, which design has also been attributed to Ejgil Petersen...
Aluminum
Kai Kristiansen Large Wall Console °132 in Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Antwerp, BE
Kai Kristiansen, Axel Kjersgaard, scandinavian modern, wall console, model 132, Denmark, 1950s An important collection of high-end Scandinavian mode...
Metal
Sold
H 23.63 in W 34.26 in L 23.63 in
1960s Kai Kristiansen Bench Bedside Table and Chest of Drawers, Aksel Kjersgaard
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian famous set of bench console or bedside table and chest of drawers set in dark wood designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aks...
Wood
Sold
H 16.93 in W 46.46 in D 14.18 in
Midcentury Console in Rosewood by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Low console in rosewood by Maa. Kai Kristiansen made by Aksel Kjersgaard cabinet makers. Great original condition. Danish, circa 1960s.
Rosewood
Sold
H 20.48 in W 46.07 in D 13.78 in
Console and Mirror by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Brussels, BE
Console and mirror by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark. Mirror : 55.5cm x 58cm
Wood
Sold
H 15.36 in W 46.86 in D 13.39 in
Side Table Designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lovely Minimalist low bench or side table designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark 1960s. This is Model No. 36 and is made out of oak. Very elegant and modern in any...
Oak
Danish Midcentury Wall-Mounted Console in Teak by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Floating wall unit in teak. Designed by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen and made by cabinetmaker Aksel Kjersgaard. Great original condition.
Teak