Vintage Space Age furniture captured post–World War II optimism with swooping shapes, bowed lines and experimentation with new materials including plastic and fiberglass.
From the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957 to the landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969, the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States propelled advancements in technology that transformed culture. Space Age design encompassed fashion, architecture, cars, furniture and objects for the home, bringing wonder and hope for the future into everyday life.
Coinciding with Pop art, Space Age style featured bold colors and forms. Eero Aarnio’s Ball chair, which debuted in 1966, used molded fiberglass for a capsule-like space while Verner Panton’s 1959 Panton chair was a single piece of molded plastic for a gravity-defying S shape. Red versions of Olivier Mourgue’s 1964 Djinn chair were futuristic enough to appear on the space station in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Today, Joe Colombo is revered as a master of modern Italian design thanks to the provocative modular furniture pieces he created, such as the Tube chair and the Elda armchair, both of which embody the future-forward spirit of the Space Age.
The Space Age spirit extended to home building too. The futuristic Case Study Houses, which were designed by the likes of Pierre Koenig, Charles and Ray Eames, Richard Neutra and Whitney R. Smith, are considered a high point of modernism and the Southern California lifestyle.
Sometimes the nods to space exploration were more literal, like moon and star motifs or the 1965 Eclisse lamp by Vico Magistretti that saw the mid-century Italian designer integrating a movable inner shade to “eclipse” the light source. Alongside the pioneering moon missions, JVC manufactured the Videosphere portable television reminiscent of the Apollo 11 space helmets.
Although the style faded in the 1970s — with the 1975 joining of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts signaling a new era of cooperation and the global oil crisis impacting the availability of plastics — the era’s innovations influenced designers into the 21st century such as Zaha Hadid and Djivan Schapira.
Find a collection of vintage Space Age seating, tables, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Zabihi Collection Pictorial Skeleton Vintage Tibetan Rug, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A striking rare Vintage Tibetan pictorial rug, hand-knotted in Tibet in the3rd quarter of the 20th century. The design features a whimsical skeletal figure rendered in soft blush ton...
Wool
Mid Century Modern hand-tufted rug in various shades of orange, ivory and yellow
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular XXL Space Age rug in vibrant shades of orange, yellow and ivory wool. This vintage rug is likely a Verner Panton design for the Dutch comp...
Wool
Space Age Italian short pile brown carpet, with orange and beige decoration 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Space Age Italian short pile brown carpet, with orange and beige decoration, 1970. Short-pile rug of rectangular shape, with a design on a dark brown background and a curvilinear geometric pattern in shades of brown, orange and beige, typical of the Space Age period. About 1970s. Good general condition, marks remain visible on the bottom and there is a small crease on one of the corners. Measurements in cm 275x200x1h Carpet dated from the seventies but kept and preserved very well by the previous owners. In perfect space age style as can be seen from the curved geometric design and the colors used, typical of the seventies. With this carpet you will feel like you are completely immersed in that era and taking a leap...
Wool
Geometric Space-Age Wool Rug, 1970's
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A very large and impressive 1970's geometrical rug crafted from thick, weighty wool. Impeccable handmade quality and craftsmanship with a very decorative design. Labeled on the back ...
Wool
Original Woolen Rug Designed by Verner Panton for Desso, Holland 1970s
By Desso, Verner Panton
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an original vintage rug design by Verner Panton for Desso in the mid 1970s. The rug is part of the Romatica collect...
Wool
Michael Young yellow rug 90s space age Y2K style
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
This is the rug named " Accent Wool Rug" designed by Michael Young for E&Y. Designed in 1995. Really good references of Mid 90s century modern that Michael Young told in those days. ...
Wool
New Colorful Contemporary Turkish Tulu Shag Area Rug Inspired by Sonia Delaunay
By Robert Delaunay, Sonia Delaunay
Located in Dallas, TX
51866, new colorful contemporary Turkish Tulu shag area rug Inspired by Sonia Delaunay. This hand knotted wool contemporary Turkish Tulu shag area rug with Postmodern style showcases...
Wool, Angora
Zabihi Collection Red Vintage Turkish Kars Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mid-20th century Turkish Kars rug with a spider-like design. One of our favorites from our hand-selected inventory. 6'6'' x 9' Not far from the So...
Wool
New Colorful Contemporary Tulu Carpet Inspired by Sonia Delaunay
By Robert Delaunay, Sonia Delaunay
Located in Dallas, TX
51872 New Colorful Tulu Shag Rug Inspired by Sonia Delaunay 09'01 x 12'10. A bold reverie in wool and color, this Turkish Tulu shag rug is a radiant fusion of ancestral craft and ava...
Wool, Angora
Large German Brown 100% Wool 1970s Carpet by Desso
By Desso
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This large carpet (240 x 170 cm) was produced in Germany, circa 1970s. It is made from 100% wool in several shades of brown. The carpet remains in perfect condition: it has never bee...
Wool
Large 1970s rug in wool and geometric patterns
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Large 1970s long pile wool rug with geometric shapes. The color tones are typical of the Space Age period, yellow brown and dark orange. The carpet is in good overall condition and...
Wool
Two small sample carpets, by Verner Panton, Basel, Switzerland, circa 1970
Located in Paris, FR
Two small sample rugs designed by Verner Panton and published by Verner Panton Design in Basel, Switzerland. Pure new wool.
Wool
exceptional 1970s vintage RUG carpet psychedelic pop design
Located in Mannheim, DE
A very beautiful and decorative hand-knotted 1970s rug. Fantastic and typical 1970s combination of colors: different shades of orange and green combined with dark blue. Made of wool....
Fabric
$320Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Junghans shaggy wool rug 1970s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Wool rug with an abstract multicolored motif typical of the 1970s, by Junghans Germany. New old stock, has never been used.
Wool
$240Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Junghans shaggy wool rug 1970s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Wool rug with an abstract multicolored motif typical of the 1970s, by Junghans Germany. New old stock, has never been used.
Wool
$400Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Junghans shaggy wool rug 1970s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Wool rug with an abstract multicolored motif typical of the 1970s, by Junghans Germany. New old stock, has never been used.
Wool
$1,401Sale Price|20% Off
Space age woven wall hanging, Germany 1970s
By Desso
Located in ECHT, NL
Space age wall hanging. Hand woven in the 1970s. The colors are still bright and livid. Made from poly-acrylic fibers. Amazing piece that will draw attention and bring color and a ...
Machiche
German Brown 100% Wool 1970s Carpet by Desso
By Desso
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This vintage carpet was produced in Germany, circa 1970s. It is made from 100% wool in several shades of brown. The carpet remains in very good condition: it has never been used (it ...
Wool
Terra Love Square Rug by Michaela Schluypen for Floor to Heaven
Located in Milan, IT
Michaela Schluypen is one of the leading contemporary rug designers, known for her weaving techniques where she skillfully combines tradition with innovation. She has been awarded m...
Wool
Italian space age long pile geometric carpet in wool with beehive design 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Long pile geometric carpet in wool with beehive design, 1970s Long pile rectangular rug. The material is pure wool in the colors white, yellow and brown. The geomet...
Wool
Italian space age White, yellow and brown long pile carpet, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age White, yellow and brown long pile carpet, 1970s Rectangular long pile carpet in white, yellow and brown. The rug has a geometric design with shaded lines. 1970s. Go...
Fabric
Wool rug Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, FI
Italian production carpet "Paracchi" 1970s. The design inspired by the work "the kiss" by Gustav Klimt. Material: wool The dimensions are 182 cm. x 127 cm.
Wool
Exceptional Early 20th Century Khotan Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An early 20th century Central Asian Khotan rug with a beautiful orange field of pomegranate, trees-of-life, and floral patterns. The border is wonderfully rendered consisting of a Bu...
Wool
Tibetan Tiger Rug Pure Wool Hand Knotted by Djoharian Collection
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
A Tibetan tiger rug, hand knotted in Nepal. This traditional Tiger rug design is typically found on antique rugs called Khaden. It describes a small sized rug of about 3 x 6 ft that...
Wool
Handsome Early 20th Century Khotan Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A handsome early 20th century Central Asian Khotan rug with three circular medallions in the center amidst a field of stylized flowers and trees-of-life surrounded by a border contai...
Wool
Early 20th Century Handmade East Turkestan Khotan Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique East Turkestan Khotan accent rug handmade during the early 20th century. Measures: 4' 9" x 8' 11"
Wool
Vintage Savonnerie Style Rug
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Recreation of a Classic French designs using the finest of materials and skilled weavers. This thick plush handwoven rug exudes the feeling of the best in European style and quality....
Wool
Beautiful New Modern Design Hand Tufted Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very beautiful new modern rug with nice Art Deco design and beautiful colors, entirely hand tufted with wool velvet on cotton foundation Custom sizes can be made.
Wool
Large rug in wool with geometric design, France, circa 1970
Located in Paris, FR
Large mechanical wool rug with geometric decoration in red, white, gray and black. France circa 1970. In very good condition. Lenght: 283 cm - 111.4 inches - 9.25 feet Width: 190 cm...
Wool
$1,043Sale Price / set|29% Off
W 55.12 in L 27.56 in
Identical Pair of Mid-Century Dutch Shag Rugs by Desso, 1970s
By Desso
Located in Herentals, BE
A rare pair of identical shag rugs designed by Desso in the Netherlands during the 1970s. Each rug showcases a lush, high-pile surface in layered green tones and soft beige edges — c...
Acrylic
Verner Panton 'Luna' Rug 120cm in Rose by Verpan
Located in Tilburg, NL
Verner Panton 'Luna' Rug 120cm by Verpan. Current production. As well as adding a sculptural feature to a room, rugs also serve to emphasize and/or transform the dimensions of the s...
Wool
Beautiful New Modern Design Hand Tufted Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very beautiful new modern rug with nice Art Deco design and beautiful colors, entirely hand tufted with wool velvet on cotton foundation Custom sizes can be made.
Wool
$1,036Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 47.25 in L 70.87 in
Modern Style Rug Irregular Shapes mixed with Pastel Yellow Green Peach Beige
By RAG home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
' Hellow Yellow ' Modern Style Rug with Irregular Shapes mixed with Pastel Yellow Green Peach Beige and Blue Original designed by RAG Home Jakarta H...
Wool
MidCentury Tartan Geometric Graphic Rug in Pure Wool, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
I offer for sale a carpet undoubtedly dating back to the 60s and 70s, probably made in Italy and made entirely of thick wool with a splendid and current geometric graphic. This Vinta...
Wool
Sold
W 112.21 in L 78.75 in
Rectangular wool rug with geometric theme from the space age period, Italy, 1970
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Rectangular wool rug with geometric theme from the space age period, Italy, 1970 Rectangular pure wool rug from the 1970s, featuring a bold geometric pattern inspired by Space Age de...
Wool
Italian Modern Space Age Round Rug, Italy 70s
Located in Lucija, SI
Round rug made in the space age period Made in Italy in the 70s
Wool, Acrylic
Large Space Age Rug, Produced by Desso, Netherlands 70s
By Desso
Located in Lucija, SI
Space age rug from the 70s made by Desso, Netherlands. The colors are yellow, beige, orange and different shades of brown. Overall in very good condition with some traces of age and...
Wool, Acrylic
Space age macrame wall hanging by Desso, Netherlands 1970s
By Desso
Located in ECHT, NL
Colorful space age wall hanging. Hand woven from wool thread. It has long braids in different colors coming from the centre. The colors are still bright and the rug is in a great con...
Fabric, Wool
Hand-tufted round psychedelic rug, model Panton by Habitat, from the 1990s
By Habitat International, Verner Panton
Located in Lyon, FR
Beautiful hand-tufted round rug, in wool fabric, model Panton for Habitat, made in India for Habitat France, from the end of 1990s. The design was created by Verner Panton in 1969, r...
Wool, Cotton
Sold
W 74.81 in L 94.49 in
Mid-century shaggy rug from the 60s in different shades of red and gray scales
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Investing in a mid-century shaggy rug from the 1960s, adorned in various shades of red and gray scales, offers more than just a floor covering—it presents an opportunity to infuse yo...
Wool
Italian space age Round carpet in yellow, beige, orange and red, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Round carpet in yellow, beige, orange and red, 1970s Vintage and fantastic round rug in short pile fabric. The design of the carpet represents 4 concentric circles,...
Fabric
Vintage Circular Beige and Brown Wool Flower Rug by Desso, Netherlands, 1970s
By Desso
Located in Vienna, AT
This circular brown beige and yellow Space age wool rug has been designed and produced in Netherlands by Desso in the 1970s. Charming colours and very decorative flower design carpet...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Eclectic Persian Kurd Rug
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind fine room size Persian Kurd rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century 8'2'' x 10'7''
Wool
Sold
W 106.3 in L 70.87 in
Italian Space Age Red Orange Brown Short Pile Rug with Geometric Pattern, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age various shade of red orange and brown short pile rug with geometric pattern, 1970s Short-pile rug, with design in various shades of red, orange and brown and with ...
Fabric
Space Age Psychedelic Pop Art Rug, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A beautiful vintage psychedelic pop art rug, 1970s. The design features a space age and psychedelic pattern in a color mix of brown, green, black and yello...
Wool