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 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
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
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
$4,183Sale Price|20% Off
Scandinavian Modern Wall Furniture, Antique, Denmark, Good Condition
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 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
BRAUN Wall system, Dieter Rams, TS45, 1960s, Vintage
By Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique wall system by Dieter Rams for Braun & Vitsœ from the 1960s. High-quality construction consisting of five aluminum E-profiles, two shelves, two L450 speakers, a TG60 tape reco...
Metal
1970s Danish Modern Teardrop Bentwood Wall Shelf Curios, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage 1970s Danish modern teardrop bentwood hanging curio shelves. A coordinating pair in two sizes with a double bentwood frame topped with a rope hoop hanger and secured with cop...
Rope, Bentwood
$1,859
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
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
$8,749 / set
H 120.87 in W 79.53 in D 12.8 in
Large 1950s Italian Mid Century Teak Maple Freestanding Shelving System 18 Piece
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Recently imported from Italy, this is a good example of post war Italian Avant Garde design. Measuring an impressive 3-metres from floor to ceiling – a common height in Italian apartments – with opportunity to arrange the shelves to suit. This impressive freestanding storage...
Brass
$2,650 / set
H 49.5 in W 73.5 in D 10 in
1960s Scandinavian Two Bay Wall Unit System Record Cabinet Cado Royal System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vintage Scandinavian Modern wall unit system 2 bay in walnut wood. Unmarked. Attribution Poul Cadovius for Roya...
Walnut
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...
Glass, Wood, Teak
Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit
By Gerald McCabe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nine bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles. Oiled walnut with aluminum detail in great condition. We have a variety of ca...
Aluminum
$964
H 11.82 in W 15.36 in D 13.39 in
Franco Albini Midcentury Wall Shelf in Curved Rattan and Bamboo, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Mid-Century wall shelf in curved rattan and bamboo. This stylish organic shelf was designed by Franco Albini in Italy during the 1960s. In amazing conditions and with a cha...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$4,986
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
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
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
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 Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
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