The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
Vintage Walnut Coffee Table By Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant square coffee table by Steelcase crafted in rich walnut, featuring a sleek, structured profile and warm natural finish. Its balanced proportions and timeless design make it a...
Walnut
Modern Pearson Lloyd for Coalesse Bob Round Glass Top Occasional Coffee Table
By Coalesse, Steelcase, Pearson Lloyd
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Modern beauty and elegant design of the Bob occasional Table fits seamlessly into any environment and among Mid-Century classic design. Appropriate for home and workplace interi...
Aluminum
Modern Coalesse and Steelcase Sidewalk Glass Top Square Coffee Table or Ottomna
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Modern beauty and smart design of the Sidewalk coffee table fits seamlessly into any environment. Appropriate for home and workplace interiors, elegant and lightly scaled that can do double...
Steel
H 12 in W 66.75 in D 24.25 in
Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Original Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima. About George Nakashima: George Katsutoshi Nakashima was an American woodworker, architect, an...
Walnut
H 14.25 in W 59 in D 24 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut and Glass Coffee Table by Lane Furniture
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage Mid-Century Modern coffee table by Lane Furniture exemplifies the sculptural elegance and refined craftsmanship of the era. The frame is constructed from walnut with bea...
Walnut
H 15 in W 40 in D 70 in
Bertu Coffee Table, Oakley Walnut Coffee Table, Walnut
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Oakley Coffee Table in Walnut is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each table is hand-made with mitered corners from walnut veneer and finished with a beautif...
Walnut
H 15 in W 56 in D 44 in
Margaretta Coffee Table in Vintage Walnut, by Petersen Antiques
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This custom walnut coffee table is seen here in 42" x 52", however it can be built in any size. Because each table is bench-made in our own...
Walnut
H 16.5 in Dm 44.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful vintage modern propeller shaped metal base and a thick round glass top is sure to make an impression in any modern interior. An elegant design that boasts a tripod base w...
Metal
H 12.5 in W 34.25 in D 34.25 in
Italian Walnut Coffee Table by Mobil Girgi
By Mobil Girgi
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful square walnut coffee table by Mobil Girgi—Italy 1970's Incredible rounded cube-shaped legs with beautiful patina to the wood showing walnut grain. Great in scale and cla...
Walnut
H 14.25 in W 72 in D 15 in
Widdicomb Walnut Coffee Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut coffee table by Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Widdicomb, c.1950s. The table features a flared rectangular top on faceted tapered legs and faceted stretchers on the length and w...
Walnut
H 15.5 in Dm 42 in
Sculptural Walnut Murici Coffee Table by Nikolai LaFuge
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Murici Coffee Table. The Murici table features asymmetrical chunky legs rounded to expose a marbling effect in the wood. The Murici tables are named after a wild little berry that gr...
Walnut
H 17.38 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
French Modern Square Brass & Glass Coffee Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage, midcentury modern French brass and glass coffee or cocktail table in the style of legendary firm Maison Jansen. In their typical aesthetic codes, the clear glass top is en...
Brass, Steel
H 16 in W 35.5 in D 32 in
Modern Cantilevered Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern Cantilevered Glass Top Coffee Table, with metallic patinated metal base and rectangular glass top. 16" H x 35.5" W x 32" D. Provenance: From a Warren, New Jersey Collection.
Metal
H 19.68 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
New Modern Square Black Table with Fumee Glass Top, Indoor or Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
New Modern square black table with Fumee glass top. Indoor or outdoor You can combine several tables for make a different compositions.
Iron
H 16 in W 26 in D 26 in
Square Suspended Base Glass Top Coffee or Side Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Single "suspended" pedestal Mid-Century Modern square glass top coffee table.
Stone, Iron
H 18.5 in W 33 in D 33 in
Vintage 1978 William Andrus for Steelcase Soft Seating White Square Coffee Table
By Steelcase
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage 1978 "Soft Seating" coffee table by William Andrus for Steelcase. This is a gorgeous example of an iconic space age Steelcase furniture design. The "Soft Seating" set was ...
Fiberglass
H 18.5 in W 33 in D 33 in
Vintage 1978 William Andrus for Steelcase Soft Seating White Square Coffee Table
By Steelcase
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage 1978 "Soft Seating" coffee table by William Andrus for Steelcase. This is a gorgeous example of an iconic space age Steelcase furniture ...
Fiberglass
H 15.5 in W 43 in D 43 in
Gardner Leaver for Steelcase Chrome Steel Round Smoked Glass Coffee Table
By Steelcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid Century Modern Gardner Leaver for Steelcase Chrome Steel Round Smoked Glass Coffee Table. Item features a heavy chrome plated steel frame, curved legs, round smoked glass top, cl...
Chrome
H 22 in W 28 in D 28 in
William Andrus for Steelcase Space Age Side Table, Fiberglass and Plexi, 1970s
By Steelcase, William Andrus
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed in the 1970s, this side accent table is considered to be one of the holy grails for Space Age and modern design enthusiasts alike. This coffee table is stunning .With its cu...
Fiberglass, Plexiglass
H 18 in W 32 in D 32 in
William Andrus for Steelcase Space Age Coffee Table, Fiberglass and Plexi, 1970s
By Steelcase, William Andrus
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed in the 1970s, this coffee table is considered to be one of the holy grails for Space Age and modern design enthusiasts alike. This coffee table is stunning .With its curved ...
Fiberglass, Plexiglass
H 15.5 in Dm 43.5 in
Stainless Steel Coffee Table by Steelcase Designed by Gardner Leaver, 1970s
By Steelcase, Gardner Leaver
Located in Hamburg, PA
A Mid-Century Modern stainless steel coffee table with a smoked glass top. This table would look great in any Contemporary or Moder...
Stainless Steel
Steelcase Chrome Base Round Formica Top Mid-Century Modern Office Coffee Table
By Steelcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Steelcase chrome base round Formica top Mid-Century Modern office coffee table. Item features round formica top in faux wood grain, original label, very nice vintage item, clean mode...
Steel
H 15 in W 32 in D 32 in
Steelcase Marble and Chrome Coffee Table
By Steelcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Steelcase marble and chrome square coffee table from the 1970s in perfect condition. The tubular chrome is oval in shape a very 1970s configuration.
Marble, Chrome
H 22 in W 28 in D 28 in
Steelcase Table by William Andrus
By William Andrus, Steelcase
Located in New York, NY
Classic table from soft seating series designed by William Andrus for Steelcase. This example is in good original condition, the mirrored glass top show...
Mirror, Plastic
H 15.5 in Dm 43 in
Sleek Round Stainless Chrome and Glass Modern Minimalist Coffee Table
By Steelcase, Gardner Leaver, Nicos Zographos
Located in Houston, TX
Sleek round coffee or cocktail table. Chrome base has stunning lines with a tubular top and three inward curved legs. Chrome is in excel...
Chrome