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.
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...
Teak
Danish Vintage Reol Shelve Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
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
Wall Mounted Floating Furniture by Kai Kristiansen For Aksel Kjersgaard 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare floating wall mounted furniture with two drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen 1960's. Hand crafted furniture with visible joints and refined metal handles on the two drawers. Lab...
Teak
Floating Wall Shelf with Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Axel Kjersgaard, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Rare and beautiful ‘Model 128’ floating shelf designed by Kai Kristiansen around 1960. Very high end manufacturing and make of teak wood with visible j...
Metal
Kai Kristiansen Teak Wall Unit / Modular Shelving System, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Danish mid-century wall unit designed by Kai Kristiansen and made in the 1960s. The unit is crafted from teak and consists of wall-mounted metal rails, adjustable 6 open shelves, and...
Metal
Kai Kristiansen FM Rosewood Wall Unit #2
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian rosewood wall system designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark. FM-Reolsystem is a fully interchangeable wall mount shelving system. Crafted in rosewoo...
Rosewood, Wood
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to include the type and number of pieces you need. We have both the Royal System and the Cado systems...
Teak
$6,413
H 86.62 in W 18.31 in D 135.83 in
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
$1,550
H 55.5 in W 64.325 in D 11.75 in
Mid-Century Poul Cadovius Wall Shelving, Teak, Royal System, Denmark
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Cadovius designed this exceptional wall-mounted shelving system for Royal System in Denmark during the 1960s. The unit features two sections with teak shelves supported by black...
Metal, Enamel
Paul McCobb Wall-Mounted Floating Console
By Paul McCobb
Located in Culver City, CA
Introducing an extraordinary mid-century wall-mounted floating three-tier console, a sought-after piece designed by the esteemed Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals in the 1950s. With it...
Steel, Cut Steel
$1,913
H 10.24 in W 78.75 in D 7.88 in
Large Floating Teak Wall Mounted Shelf by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s
By Walter Wirtz, Wilhelm Renz
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful floating wall unit designed by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, Germany, 1960s. Very good condition, signed with Wilhelm Renz logo. This U-shaped shelf is made of high-qualit...
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
$4,708Sale Price|50% Off
H 88.59 in W 102.76 in D 16.93 in
Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Rochester, England
The Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset is a versatile and modern storage solution. Designed by the renowned Mic...
Metal
1950s French Industrial Modular Shelving System
By Pierre-Paul Prud’hon
Located in London, Lambeth
Industrial modular shelving with 20 adjustable shelves in a amazing color mounting on a black frame.
Steel
Danish Mid-Century Teak Wall Mount Coat Rack with Shelf, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall mount coat rack from Denmark showcases the clean lines and functional beauty of Mid-Century Scandinavian design. Crafted in warm teak, the piece features thoughtful dual-level c...
Teak
$2,930
H 61.03 in W 63.78 in D 14.77 in
Poul Cadovius Mid- Century Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit Shelving for Cado, 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is contains one cabinet with drawers and 7 shelves This piece is completely adjustable, and...
Teak
$5,900
H 95.5 in W 65.5 in D 21 in
Mid Century Omni Wood Modular Wall Unit Shelving & Bookcase by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern Omni wall unit shelving system designed by George Nelson is circa 1960. This ingenious shelving system features spring-loaded floor to ceiling aluminu...
Metal, Aluminum
$657
H 6.11 in W 20.08 in D 9.06 in
Danish Floating Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s.
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
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
Kai Kristiansen Cabinet and Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen cabinet and small shelf system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. The system consists of: - 5 shelves - 1 cabinet (standing) - 2 wal...
Teak
Teak Shelf System with Desk Top by Kai Kristiansen 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. Chair is not incl. The wall unit consists of: - 4 shelves - 1 desk top with drawers -...
Teak
Teak Wall System by Kai Kristiansen for FM Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 8 shelves - 2 magazine shelves - 3 cabinets - 4 wall br...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Wall Shelving Unit with Desk Shelves
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
A timeless piece of Scandinavian design: this elegant wall-mounted shelving unit was designed by Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s and crafted in rich rosewood. With its minimalist form a...
Rosewood
Teak Wall System by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. As usual very good quality with equally beautiful patina. The wall unit consists of: ...
Teak
Teak Wall System by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. As usual very good quality with equally beautiful patina. The wall unit consists of: ...
Teak
Corner Shelf System in Teak by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen corner wall system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. As usual very good quality with equally beautiful patina. The wall unit consis...
Teak
Vintage Kai Kristansen Teak Wall System w/ Desk & Chair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Emeryville, CA
Kai Kristiansen's wall system, also known as the "FM wall system," is a modular shelving and storage system designed by Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. Kristi...
Teak
Vintage Kai Kristansen Teak Wall System w/Desk
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Emeryville, CA
Kai Kristiansen's wall system, also known as the "FM wall system," is a modular shelving and storage system designed by Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. Kristi...
Teak
Sold
H 6 in W 35 in D 10 in
Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Danish Teak Wall Mounted Console C. 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Peabody, MA
A Danish teak floating wall mounted console with two drawers by Aksel Kjersgaard, circa 1960s.
Teak
Vintage 1960 Kai Kristiansen Teak Wall System
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Emeryville, CA
Kai Kristiansen's wall system, also known as the "FM wall system," is a modular shelving and storage system designed by Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. Kristi...
Teak
Sold
H 67.72 in W 102.37 in D 12.6 in
Kai Kristiansen Teak Wall Unit System for Feldballes Mobelfabrik, 1960 Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-Century modern period famous danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen design this gorgeous and very practical wall unit shelving system. It was manufactured by Feldballes Møbelf...
Metal