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.
Space Age Cube Bar or Side Table in Off-White, West Germany 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare Space Age Cube bar or side table with 3 bottle holders and a small shelf. It is done in beautiful, minimalist ...
Chrome
$470
H 15.75 in W 13.78 in D 8.67 in
1970s Space Age Stool by Flair in White Plastic and Purple Fabric
By Flair
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A striking example of European Space Age design, this 1970s stool by Flair balances futuristic form with practical comfort. The molded white plastic base features a distinctive hourg...
Plastic, Fabric
Space Age Fiberglass Bed by Astarte, 1970s
Located in Parma, IT
Space age fiberglass bed painted white, Astarte Milano production of the 1970s. Composed of 4 modules, with original metal bed base. The label in the...
Fiberglass
Space Age Italian Velvet Modular Sofa, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful two-seater sofa in Italian velvet from the 1970s Space Age period. The Italian sofa is made of dark orange textured velvet fabric. Its lines are very rounded with soft and ...
Velvet
$961
H 15.75 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Italian Midcentury Cube Side Table or Pouf in Bamboo and Rattan, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely little side table or ottoman in bamboo and rattan, produced in Italy in the 70s. This sturdy ottoman has a cube-shaped structure fully made in bamboo canes with the top hav...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Space Age Bar Stools, 1970s
Located in Neuss, NW
Space age bar stools from the 1970s. High-quality frame made of chromed stainless steel. The seats have been reupholstered and covered with a high-...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Black Leather Space Age Swivel Chair, 1970s
Located in Hilversum, NL
Stunning swivel lounge chair in white fiberglass with aluminum base and original black leather cover.
Leather, Fiberglass
$4,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32 in W 125 in D 100 in
German Space Age Modular Sectional Sofa & Ottoman in Green Mohair, c. 1970's
Located in Norwalk, CT
NOTE: Dimensions provided refer to the assembled sofa as a whole. Each armless section measures 25.75" wide; each one-arm section measures 29.5" wide. The corner section measures W 55" x D 32". Seat depth is 20.5". The ottoman measures H 16" x W 26" x D 28". Give your lounge space an instant update with this bold Space Age corner sofa and matching ottoman, produced in the style of the famous German firm Laauser. With its (6) lightweight modular sections...
Metal
West Indies Carved and Caned Daybed or Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial daybed, most likely Barbadian crafted in mahogany with a graceful form, floral carvings, handmade construction, caned seat, back and side, and turned legs with brass...
Mahogany
Knoll Antimott Sofa in Off-White Alcantara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Knoll Antimott, sofa, alcantara, chrome, Germany, 1960s Somewhere between 1925-1929 Wilhelm Knoll developed a patented system of seating named 'Antimott'. The line consisted of fur...
Chrome
$9,040 / set
H 34.26 in W 25.2 in D 34.45 in
Pair of Space Age Side Chairs by Olivier Mourgue, 1970s France
Located in Zagreb, HR
Sleek, vibrant pair of vintage space age side chairs, designed by Olivier Mourgue. (Publication by Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession number 91.151). Organic and sculptural spa...
Upholstery
Space Age Sofa by Interlübke, 1970s
By Interlübke
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Ultra rare sofa set by Interlübke with brown fabric seats and white wooden bases. Complete set with a wooden corner piece which serves as a storage space. The high back design ...
Fabric
Space Age Leather Armchair, 1970s
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique Space Age armchair from the 1970s. High-quality padding with the original cover made of black leather and stainless steel legs. Quality Features: very good workmanship high-q...
Stainless Steel
Mid century 60s grey checked sofa
Located in Leicester, GB
Amazing condition 1960s sofa. Comfortable three seater Original grey wool check upholstery with off white and light plaster brown tones. Firm seat with undulating buttoned design. Sp...
Wool, Acrylic
Sold
H 25 in W 66 in D 39 in
1970s Soriana Settee by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina with Pierre Frey Wool
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Soriana settee designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina in 1969. This iconic sofa has been beautifully upholstered in a luxurious sabre print wool/alpaca/mohair blend by...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 48 in W 65 in D 27 in
Contemporary Reupholstered Distressed Italian Tufted Leather Wing Back Settee
Located in Chicago, IL
Contemporary Distressed Grey Italian Tufted Leather Wing Back Settee Newly Upholstered The Contemporary Distressed Grey Italian Tufted Leather Wing Back Settee, Newly Upholstered, i...
Leather
1970s Midcentury French Bouclé Sofa
Located in High Point, NC
The sophisticated design of this vintage sofa makes it feel fresh and contemporary to this day. Built in France in the 20th century, the form combines exquisite minimalism with a sty...
Metal
Space Age Italian Velvet Sofa, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful two-seater sofa in velvet, Italian production of the Space Age period, 1970s. Its lines are rounded, with soft shapes, very reminiscent of the Cassina sofas of the 60s / 7...
Velvet
Ligne Roset Togo 3-Seat Sofa by Michel Ducaroy
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Echt, NL
Togo three-seat by Michel Duraroy for Ligne Roset in excellent condition. Two sofas available Reupholstered in a high quality gold colored velours which gives a beautiful and ...
Fabric, Velvet
Ligne Roset Togo 3-Seat Sofa by Michel Ducaroy
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Echt, NL
Togo three-seat by Michel Duraroy for Ligne Roset in excellent condition. Two sofas available Reupholstered in a high quality dark green colored velours which gives a beautifu...
Fabric, Velvet
Ligne Roset Togo 3-Seat Sofa by Michel Ducaroy
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Echt, NL
Togo three-seat by Michel Duraroy for Ligne Roset in excellent condition. Two sofas available Reupholstered in a high quality gold colored velours which gives a beautiful and ...
Fabric, Velvet
Sold
H 28.35 in W 66.93 in D 35.44 in
Le Bambole Settee / 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
Located in Berlin, DE
'Le Bambole' 2-seat sofa, designed in 1970s by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy. New upholstered in black leather.
Steel
Ligne Roset Togo 3-Seat Sofa by Michel Ducaroy
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Echt, NL
Togo three-seat by Michel Duraroy for Ligne Roset in excellent condition. Two sofas available Reupholstered in a high quality gold colored velours which gives a beautiful and ...
Fabric, Velvet
Nuava Sofa by Emilio Guarnacci for 1P, Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Nuava sofa, couch or settee by Emilio Guarnacci for his editor 1P (1969) New upholstery with a bouclé sheep style fabric. Famous design like Gio Ponti, Gianfranco Frattini, Cass...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 66.93 in L 28.35 in
Le Bambole Settee / 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
Located in Berlin, DE
'Le Bambole' 2-seat sofa, designed in 1970s by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy. New upholstered in a mud brown aniline leather.
Steel