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.
Gianfranco Frattini Khaki Brown Velvet Sesann Armchair for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann armchair, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. It features khaki brown velvet upholstery and a chrome tubular cage as stru...
Chrome
Elco Production Daybed by Rodolfo Bonetto in Fibreglass
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Experience the bold, futuristic design of the "Elco" daybed by Rodolfo Bonetto. This piece epitomizes mid-century Italian modernism, showcasing Bonetto's forward-thinking approach to...
Fiberglass
1971, Le Temoin by Man Ray, Dino Gavina, Simon, International Ultramobile
By Dino Gavina, Ultramobile Collection
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Upholstery, Faux Leather
Italian Okay 2-seater sofa designed by Adriano Piazzesi
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
The Italian Okay 2-seater sofa , designed by Adriano Piazzesi in the 1970s , is an iconic piece of furniture that perfectly reflects his creative approach to design. Piazzesi was ins...
Fabric
Set of mid century french style SPACE AGE cocktail sofa and chairs - 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, around 1970s - beautiful space age design - dimensiosn of chairs : height: 80cm, depth: 67, width: 63cm - the set is predestined to be newly upholstered in new tex...
Chrome
Toe Sofa in Warm Ash Teak and Outdoor Fabric Contemporary Sculptural Design
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Toe sofa in warm ash teak and outdoor technical fabric, contemporary sculptural design inspired by 1970s space-age aesthetics. Defined by voluminous, rounded forms and seamless uphol...
Fabric, Teak
$5,224 / set
Modular space age set in blue by Airborne
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
This modular set from the French brand Airborne consists of two armchairs and a corner element in a blue color. The elements can be placed separately or used together as a sofa by s...
Fabric
Sectionnal sofa Poltrona Frau with matching coffee table , model Socrates
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Socrates modular sofa by Poltrona Frau in leather from the 1980s, feather filling for the cushions . An iconic Italian sofa manufactured by Poltrona Frau for a high-end design that w...
Leather, Feathers
Space Age Vintage Ivory Vintage Modular Leather Lounge Chairs Wittmann 1970
By Wittmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage sectional two lounge chairs with one stool from leather in ivory color tone 1970s by Wittmann Austria. The very comfortable settee model Rhombos features stitched ...
Leather
Italian space age three-seater sofa in yellow fabric and black wood, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Three-seater sofa in yellow fabric and black wood, 1970s Three-seater sofa with squared seat and back, padded and covered in yellow teddy fabric. The legs are two s...
Fabric, Wood
Three-seater sofa by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1970s
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Three-seater sofa designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia from the 1970s. The sofa has been completely restored using upholstery that echoes the original tones and features...
Metal