While Poul Cadovius is most famous for his modular floating shelving system, his career in design didn’t actually start with wall units.
Born just outside of Copenhagen in 1911, Cadovius began manufacturing window treatments in the 1940s with his partner, Hother Brønner. He soon turned his focus from Venetian blinds to furniture, finding success designing svelte pieces in teak, a richly colored hardwood favored by the Danish mid-century modernists.
In 1945, Cadovius founded the furniture manufacturer Royal System with his designs, including the 1948 Royal System shelving unit, a space-saving solution that underscored Cadovius’s penchant for problem-solving in a multifunctional way. Rather than balance shelves on wooden or metal legs, it held them to the wall with brackets.
Cadovius followed the Royal System shelving unit with the System Ultra in 1957, the System Cado in 1960 and the System Abstracta, which was installed throughout the exhibition halls of the 1962 Cologne Furniture Fair. All expanded on his idea of wall-mounted shelving that saved space while offering functionality, allowing for limitless combinations of storage, shelves, work surfaces and other units. The Royal System proved to be especially popular and is still produced by Danish furniture brand dk3 today, with early models continuing to be in demand.
Along with the shelving systems, Cadovius designed everything from lounge chairs to mushroom-shaped bus shelters, and he held over 400 patents. In addition to being a designer, he was also an entrepreneur with an eye for opportunity, such as purchasing Danish manufacturer France & Søn in the mid-1960s and folded it into Cado, a company he founded years earlier. He used this as an occasion to experiment with his designs, conceiving such unusual pieces as an aluminum-based dining table topped with rosewood and hand-painted by artist Susan Fjedldoe Mygge.
Cadovius’s innovations in shelving continued throughout his career, with examples like the sculptural Butterfly shelf and vertical pieces mixing shelving and storage. In 2018, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal System, dk3 reissued the celebrated shelving system as well as a more compact version reimagined for 21st-century homes.
Find a collection of vintage Poul Cadovius storage cabinets, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Poul Cadovius Royal System Wall Unit, Teak, Integrated Desk
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Cadovius designed this two-section wall-mounted shelving system for Royal System in Denmark, combining functional storage with elegant Danish Modern design. The unit features bl...
Metal, Enamel
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
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 and 9 shelves This piece is completely adjustable, and any of the c...
Metal
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
$15,000 / item
Teak Cado System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional wall unit in teak by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. The unit shown is an example of what we typically stock. Units are sold by the component - wall ...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak & Glass Shelving System Abstracta by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Odense, DK
Ingenious minimalist shelving or display unit SYSTEM ABSTRACTA designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, in the 1960s. The system consists of black metal...
Metal
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Wall Shelf Units, 'Three Pieces'
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Poul Cado wall units. One is a three drawer cabinet measures - 30"W x 16"D x 18"H One drop down bar cabinet measures - 30"W x 14.5"Dx16H ...
Teak
Poul Cadovius 'butterfly" wall shelves 3 units Denmark 1950
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, IDF
Set of three midcentury shelves in metal. Model 'Butterfly' Designed and made by Poul Cadovius 1960s. in Denmark white. red, green inside, black outside length about 29.5cm x 29.5cm ...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Price Upon Request
Rosewood Cado System Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado System wall unit in Brazilian rosewood by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. Wall unit can be customized with va...
Rosewood
Price Upon Request
1958 Danish Rosewood Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional wall unit in Brazilian rosewood by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. Wall unit is in excellent condition. Each support rail is 78" long and each cabinet ...
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
On Hold|$4,950
H 58 in W 126.5 in D 28.5 in
Five Bay Teak Wall Mounted Shelving (w/ Corner) Unit By Torbjorn Afdal C. 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius, Torbjørn Afdal, Bruksbo
Located in Peabody, MA
Midcentury "Cado " style wall-mounted shelving unit in teak, circa 1960s, from the "Veggen de Luxe" line, designed by Torbjorn Afdal and Rolf Hesland, made in Norway by Ringerike Mobel in collaboration with Bruskbo. Five bay unit consists of a corner section with work desk, a cabinet with four drawers and interior LP record storage...
Teak
$5,355Sale 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 ...
Wood
On Hold|$4,250
H 57.75 in W 106 in D 16 in
Three-Bay Teak Wall Mounted Shelving Unit By Torbjorn Afdal C. 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado, Torbjørn Afdal, Bruskbo
Located in Peabody, MA
Midcentury "Cado" style wall-mounted shelving unit in teak, circa 1960s, from the "Veggen de Luxe" line, designed by Torbjorn Afdal and Rolf Hesland, made in Norway by Ringerike Mobe...
Teak
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 30 in D 16 in
Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Wall Shelf Units, 'Three Pieces'
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Poul Cado wall units. One is a three drawer cabinet measures - 30"W x 16"D x 18"H One drop down bar cabinet measures - 30"W x 14.5"Dx16H ...
Teak
$8,861 / 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
$4,626Sale 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 Basildon, London
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
$3,530Sale Price|20% Off
H 71.86 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Mid Century Wall Unit Cabinet by Nils Jonsson for Troeds
By Troeds Bjarnum 1, Nils Jonsson
Located in Mortsel, BE
Very nice wall cabinet, some wear and tear see pictures please
Wood, Rosewood
$29,189
H 17.72 in W 112.21 in D 14.97 in
Florence Knoll Sideboard Wall Bar Unit Teak 1954 Knoll International Mid Century
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Wall mounted sideboard unit by Florence Knoll, made by Knoll International, Stuttgart in 1954. Rare opportunity to acquire an original Knoll Internat...
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
$4,810
H 90.5 in W 27.5 in D 10 in
Contemporary Asymmetrical Bookcase with Teak Wall Panel and Aluminum Shelving
By Tisettanta
Located in Chicago, IL
Bookcase unit to be horizontally or vertically positioned. Shelves in aluminium varnished folded sheet metal. Back panel in teak wood. Designed by Giuseppe Vigano for Tisettanta ...
Aluminum
Large Mid-Century Modern Bookcase or Wall Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This impressive Mid-Century Modern wall unit boasts natural wood finish and spacious storage options add to the appeal of this stunning piece. This vintage modern sideboard features ...
Wood
Large vintage wall system by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Breda, NB
Large vintage wall system by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark. This impressive vintage wall system by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark is an iconic piece of Danish design from the 1960s...
Teak
Sold
H 70.08 in W 95.28 in D 14.77 in
Poul Cadovius Mid- Century Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit Shelving for Cado, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is contains two cabinets one with sliding doors a cabinet with drawers and 11 shelves This ...
Metal
Sold
H 79.53 in W 125.99 in D 14.97 in
Poul Cadovious Scandinavian Midcentury Oak Royal System, Denmark 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian midcentury modern design oak "Royal System" shelves system set designed by Poul Cadovious consisting of 19 shelves with different depths that can be positioned as desire...
Oak
Sold
H 76.5 in W 129 in D 19 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Cado Wall Hanging System Shelving Unit Desk
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the timeless elegance of the Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Cado Wall Hanging System, a Danish wall shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius and made by his company Cado i...
Teak
Sold
H 79.53 in W 95.28 in D 15.75 in
Poul Cadovius Mid- Century Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit Shelving for Cado, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is contains one double cabinet with sliding doors, a cabinet with dropdown door and nine she...
Metal
Poul Cadovius Teak Wall Unit
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1960s. A handsome and supremely functional CADO System - or “System CADO” as it was originally called - by Poul Cadovius. Features high quality teak construction with two wall-mounted bays - each consisting of various modular storage components. This example, which can easily be reconfigured to suit one’s needs and imagination includes the following: 1 floating writing surface with two drawers. 1 display cabinet with sliding glass doors and glass shelves...
Teak
Sold
H 79.53 in W 95.28 in D 15.75 in
Poul Cadovius Mid- Century Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit Shelving for Cado, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is contains 8 shelves, six are 20cm deep one is 30cm and one is 40cm, two drawer cabinets dr...
Metal
Sold
H 78.75 in W 95.87 in D 14.77 in
60s Poul Cadovius Modular Teak 3-Bay Danish Royal System Wall Unit Shelving Desk
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This highly versatile and functional “Royal System” was originally designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948. This useful three-bay teak shelving system offers a wide variety of storage and ...
Metal
Freestanding Shelving Unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in The Hague, NL
This elegant freestanding shelving unit by Vittorio Dassi, designed in the 1950s, is a perfect combination of style and functionality. With its lightweight design, it is easy to move...
Brass
Sold
H 88.59 in W 125.99 in D 19.69 in
Scandinavian Modern Wall Unit "SYSTEM CADO" by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Odense, DK
Large wall unit "SYSTEM CADO" in oak and teakwood made in Denmark in the 1960s. The system consists of wall mounted rails that allow for different combinations of cabinets and shelve...
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 79.73 in W 127.96 in D 19.1 in
Mid-Century Suspended Wooden Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Suspended Wooden Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960s Poul Cadovius Poul Cadovius (1911 - 2011) was one of the most colourful and successful persons in the history...
Wood
Sold
H 49.22 in W 64.57 in D 11.82 in
Poul Cadovius Royal System Danish Modern Birch wood Wall Unit Shelving, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is contains of 4 shelves and one cabinet with sliding doors. This piece is completely adju...
Brass