Modern Bookcases
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Pylon" Shelving System in Ash
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
The “Pylon” profile comprises overhanging, interleaved shelves grounded by stacked, conical spacers. These solid elements add visual weight and totemic structure to the shelf system’...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Plastic
Nendo Small Drop Bookcase in Matte Lacquered Laser-Cut Sheet Metal by Cappellini
By Nendo, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
An ingenious challenge against the force of gravity, the Drop, by Nendo, is a two-sided column bookshelf offered in 3 different heights. The Drop bookshelves are made of Matte lacque...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Natural Birch "Climb" Shelving System, Bashko Trybek
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural birch "Climb" shelving system, Bashko Trybek
Dimensions: 120 W x 22 D x 155 H cm
Materials: Polished birch boards, steel threads
Different finishes, colors and sizes are a...
Category
2010s Polish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Modern Distressed Finish Hutch
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern distressed finish hutch, made of solid pine and painted and then hand rubbed to show an antiqued look. The interior was fitted with wine racks, and drawers, with glass front d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood
Modules Office & Residential Mail Box Stainless Steel Polished
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
4 Modules Office & Residential Mail Box Stainless Steel Polished
Materials:
Satinless steel
Dimensions:
D 32 cm x W 32 cm x H 40 cm
The letterbox 3-4-5 has been in BD’s ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
Teteia, Wall Shelve by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Thethea - wall shelve by Cultivado Em Casa
Dimensions: 50 x 38 x 140 cm
Materials: MDF, carbon steel. Painting in Duco paint
Teteia is a suspended bookcase...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
DeCastelli Ripple Cabinet by Marco Pisati
By DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Ripple cabinet is inspired by the fluidity and adaptability of water, and the texture of metal, expertly worked by the company. The result is a sinuous, polymorphous volume in wh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Modern Modular Slender Bookcase Made with Walnut, Iron and Brass by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
The Slender collection was developed with slim and elongated lines. The traces of this collection extend along the pieces, creating a sense of involvement between all the elements.
Thanks to its open structure and simple design, the Slender modular bookcase is the perfect element to optimize your space without forgetting the decorative touch. Ideal in more minimalist atmospheres, it can be used as an individual model or as a set. The combination of the black iron structure with six shelves results in an elegant look. Its verticality reveals personality and attitude, ideal for your modern living room. The symmetrical lines of the slender bookcase...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Iron
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Gae "Short" Bookcase with Leather Top
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Low and double-sided version of the Gae bookcase in Canaletta walnut and leather with metal supports available in bronze-gold, lead and burnished finishes. Equipped with openable boxes...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Leather, Wood
Natural Walnut "Climb" Shelving System, Bashko Trybek
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Walnut "Climb" shelving system, Bashko Trybek
Dimensions: 135 L x 27 W x 185 H cm
Materials: Walnut Boards, Black Wires
Different finishes, colors and sizes are available
...
Category
2010s Polish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Baleri Italia Mac Gee Bookshelf in Metallic Silver Steel by Philippe Starck
Located in Milan, IT
Mac Gee is the essence of a bookshelf. Philippe Starck cleaned and cleaned the structure to only keep the square root, the skeleton of a bookshelf. Therefore avoiding styles, the tim...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Modern Manhattan Bookcase Made with Oak and Lacquer, Handmade by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
The Manhattan collection presents itself with a straight and rhythmic silhouette on both horizontal and vertical lines, invoking the constructions in height, provided by the technical/technological developments of modern architecture.
Made of mate dark brown oak, the Manhattan bookcase has a design inspired by the lines of the Empire State Building in New York. Like the building, this is an iconic piece with elegant luxury finishes that can be combined with more industrial or modern spaces. It has eight doors and shelves for additional storage. Combine it with the rest of the range, making your living room a cosy yet sophisticated space. An imposing piece that reflects in the environment a unique sophistication. A luxury bookcase...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak, Lacquer
Bookshelf by Vlasta Kubusova
Located in Geneve, CH
Bookshelf by Vlasta Kubusova
Materials: Wood, Nuatan bioplastic sheets
Dimensions: W 201 x H 201.5 x D 45 cm
Crafting plastics! studio was founded...
Category
2010s German Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
3 Modules Office & Residential Mail Box Stainless Steel Polished
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
3 Modules Office & Residential Mail Box stainless steel polished
Materials:
Satinless steel
Dimensions:
D 32 cm x W 24 cm x H 40 cm
The letterbox 3-4-5 has been in BD’s ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modern White Painted Hutch
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern white painted hutch, made of solid pine and painted in a bright solid white. The interior was fitted with wine racks, and drawers, with glass fron...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood
Partner 2506 Shelf, Design by Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto for Kartell, 1998
Located in FERROL, ES
Partner 2506 shelf, design by Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto for Kartell, 1998.
5 shelves made of 2 sheets of extruded aluminum one on each side of the shelf connected with injec...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Hatt Shelving System 4 Shelves + Storage Unit Ash Wood
Located in Monte-Serzedo, 13
Imagine that you could have a system to organize your books in the order that suits you better. You might even have the option of having some storage for your office. Imagine that yo...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Sand Frame Shoe Cabinet by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand frame shoe cabinet by Lassen
Dimensions: D 70 x W 21 x H 42 cm
Materials: finér, melamin, melamine, metal, veneer
Also available in different col...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Two Dedicato Bookcases Designed By Didier Gomez for Ligne Roset
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here are two Dedicato Bookcases Designed By Didier Gomez for Ligne Roset.
Each unit looks to be an Ebony Oak, five shelves each starting with the bottom, which are not adjus...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Large Bookshelf by Neri & Hu
Located in Geneve, CH
Large bookshelf by Neri & Hu
Dimensions: W 201 x D 55 x H 200 cm
Materials: Canaletto walnut veneer wood
Doors: Dark green, prune, warm white lacquered mdf
Founded in 2004 by p...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Other
Danese Milano Archivio Vivo Medium Book Stand in Silver Aluminum by James Irvine
Located in Hicksville, NY
Archivio vivo is a bookstand that is available in two versions. The first version is freestanding and can be placed on a table or desk whereas the second can be fixed to the wall. Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Gravità Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
The Gravità solid wood bookcase is a simple and linear composition that conveys a feeling of suspension. It uses magnetic vertical elements to hide...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Small Bookshelf by Neri & Hu
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Bookshelf by Neri&Hu
Dimensions: W 201.8 x D 55 x H 123 cm
Materials: Canaletto walnut veneer wood
Doors: Dark green, prune, warm white lacquered mdf
Founded in 2004 by p...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Other
Fjord Frame Shoe Cabinet by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Fjord frame shoe cabinet by Lassen
Dimensions: D 70 x W 21 x H 42 cm
Materials: Finér, melamin, melamine, metal, veneer
Also available in different co...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Modern Six Tier Etagere
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Six Tier Etagere, built from hardwood solids with beveled, ebonized, posts and rails. The shelves feature flat-cut paldao with a light transparent ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Intersection Commode by Neri & Hu
Located in Geneve, CH
Intersection Commode by Neri&Hu
Dimensions: W 201.8 x D 49 x H 85 cm
Materials: Canaletto Walnut Veneer Wood
Doors: Dark green, prune, warm white lacquered mdf
Founded in 2004 ...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Other
Vitra ‘Self’ Sideboard/ Bookcase '2007' by Erwan & Ronan Bouroullec
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Designed in 2000 and no longer in production today, this rare sideboard is Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s modern take on the classic masterpieces as designed by Charlotte Perriand and Je...
Category
Early 2000s Swiss Modern Bookcases
Materials
Plastic, Plexiglass
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH MOS Bookcase in Wood with Brass Feet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
MOS is the family of storage units designed by GamFratesi with console, bookcase and side table, which can also be used as a bedside table, that incorporates the style of the bench o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
D33, Bookcase by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
D33 - bookcase by Cultivado Em Casa
Dimensions: 70 x 40 x 80 cm
Materials: D33 foam, acrylic paint, acrylic resin, carbon steel.
Also available: different colors
The D33 coll...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Resin
35 Fjord Frame Box with 2 Drawer by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
35 Fjord frame box with 2 drawer by Lassen
Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 35 cm
Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer, Ash
Also available in different colors a...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Modern Lage Bookcases Set/2, Brass Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 Lage bookcases, Contemporary collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Lage modern bookcase was designed to be the focal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass
Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' Modular and Adaptable Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
Sky-floor bookcase 'PUNTELLO MODULARE'
PUNTELLO MODULARE is a modular and adaptable sky-floor bookcase. Starting from our Prop, we have designed a modular system that allows you to ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Iron
Red Oak Library by Rejo Studio
Located in Riyadh, SA
Dark pastel Red to accommodate a robust personal library. This piece with an extended lines and layered step design will give you the freedom to align your...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak, Burl
Column Shelving, Low by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column shelving, low by WL Ceramics.
Design: David Derksen
Materials: porcelain, dark brown effect glaze, corten steel
Dimensions: (70 x 25 ceramic), 150 x 40 x 70
Also availab...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Column Shelving, High by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column shelving, High by WL CERAMICS
Design: David Derksen
Materials: Porcelain with blue dripping glaze, corten steel
Dimensions: 110 x 25 (ceramic ), 150 x 40 x 110 cm
Also A...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Crooked Shelf by Nazara Lazaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Crooked shelf by Nazara Lazaro
Dimensions: H 190 cm x W 155 cm x D 51 cm
Materials: Massive oak with oil wax surface
Also available in natural massive oak, walnut, and white lac...
Category
2010s German Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Hug Bookcase by Rejo Studio
Located in Riyadh, SA
This Bookcase, was designed to resemble to some extent, what stormed us in this new life, that no one ever thought of, and how it left us unaware of anything
An unusual bookcase...
Category
2010s Asian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
Blue and Green Translucent Hand Dyed Acrylic Tone Shelf by Sohyun Yun
By YSH Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The tone shelf is inspired by the traditional colors of Korea, especially "Hanbok," which is a traditional Korean dress for formal occasions. Here, those traditional colors are made into art furniture with a modern sensibility, in Korean jade and sky blue. The tone of the blue gives an elegant and dreamy vibe.
As artisans dye each piece of acrylic by hand, the tone in this piece is completely different from that of a mass-produced product, and as such, has its own value as a limited artwork. Wide spaces between the shelves can fit large...
Category
2010s Korean Modern Bookcases
Materials
Acrylic
Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' a Modular and Adaptable Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
Sky-floor bookcase 'Puntello Modulare'
Puntello Modulare is a modular and adaptable sky-floor bookcase. Starting from our Prop, we have designed a modular system that allows you to ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Iron
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 116" shelves & 16 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adj...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Black Ash Frame Shoe Cabinet by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Black ash frame shoe cabinet by Lassen
Dimensions: D 70 x W 21 x H 42 cm
Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer, Ash
Also available in dif...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Carlton Wood Miniature Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. The vivid colors and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Plastic
Majj Studio White Credenza
By MAJJ STUDIO
Located in Seyrantepe, 34
White credenza can be located at various places in interiors according to usage. It is made of lacquered painting over the raw wood. It can be used as s...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Modern Herringbone Oak Bookcase - Dark
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern herringbone parquetry bookcase in our dark oak Dusk finish with three veneered shelves and a herringbone parquetry design on the bottom drawer. It sits on tapered legs with ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Set of 2 Book Bombs by Hamilton Holmes
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 book bombs by Hamilton Holmes.
Oxalino collection
2020
Dimensions: 25.4 diameter cm
Materials: White oak.
Perfect spheres turned from single slabs of lumber are given...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Manhattan Bookcase by Marmi Serafini
Located in Geneve, CH
Manhattan bookcase by Marmi Serafini
Materials: Oak Grey marble, wood, brass, metal.
Dimensions: D 50 x W 102 x H 175 cm
Available in other marbles.
As the famous New York skyline, ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
Italian Modern Glass and Aluminum Wall Mounted Shelf
Located in Boston, MA
The Eos Shelf, designed by Giuseppe Bavuso, is an innovative wall shelving system. With a thickness of only 8 mm, the Eos design combines a lacquered glass top with a lacquered alumi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Contemporary Oak Brass Shelving unit
Located in Riga, LV
Crafted with utmost attention to detail, this shelving unit is a unique piece of functional decor. A magnificent addition to a modern home, where it will be eye-catching and function...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
35 Black Ash Frame Box with 2 Drawer by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
35 black ash frame box with 2 drawer by Lassen
Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 35 cm
Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamin, Melamine, metal, veneer, ash
Also available in different colo...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 52" shelves & 6 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adjus...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Dark Grey Frame Shoe Cabinet by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark grey frame shoe cabinet by Lassen
Dimensions: D 70 x W 21 x H 42 cm
Materials: finér, melamin, melamine, metal, veneer
Also available in different...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
28 Oak Frame Box with Door by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
28 oak frame box with door by Lassen
Dimensions: W 28 x D 28 x H 28 cm
Materials: Finér, melamin, melamin, melamine, metal, veneer, oak.
Also available in different colors and di...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Capanna is a wall bookcase equipped with shelves and support floors and made of precious canaletto walnut finished with acrylic. The Italian artisan tradition is reinterpreted in a c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" Shelves & 9 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adjus...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Wave Shelve by Hamilton Holmes
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Shelve by Hamilton Holmes
Oxalino Collection
2020
Dimensions: H 203.2, W 101.6, D 35.6 cm
Materials: White oak and brass screw
This is a freestanding shelving system made from tubular parts and flat shelves...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Jacques Lucite and Brass Étagère
Located in New York, NY
Clearly cool. Our Jacques collection is the perfect blend of simplicity and glamour, modern and traditional. Shown in crystal clear Lucite with brushed brass. Also available in moody...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Set of 2 Frame 42 Divider by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 frame 35 divider by Lassen
Dimensions: D 39 x W 18 x H 39 cm
Materials: Metal
Also available in different dimensions.
Weight: 0.75 Kg
By Lassen is a Danish design b...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Modern bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include DeCastelli, Kartell, Souda, and Danese Milano. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $120 and tops out at $96,530 while the average work can sell for $3,910.
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