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.
Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 5 (on a total of 20 identical pieces!!!) modular concrete bookcases, Modernist, Free Form, Brutalist, rectangular loop cases with rounded edges, with a great grey patina wit...
Concrete
Large UMBO "Architectural Wall" Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking UMBO modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles and produced by Umbo Design Inc. during the 1970s. This iconic modular furniture system exemplifies the bold exper...
Plastic
Libreria Modulare in Legno Laccato - Carlo De Carli per Fiarm - Italia - Anni 70
Located in Milano, IT
La libreria in foto, attribuita a Carlo De Carli, prodotta da Fiarm negli anni '70 del XX secolo, è composta da due corpi distinti ma offre la possibilità di unirli in un unico eleme...
Bentwood
Iconic Michel Dumas Plexiglas Bookcase – 1970s French Space Age Design
By Michel Dumas
Located in Oirlo, LI
This striking bookcase by Michel Dumas is a powerful expression of 1970s French space-age design. Crafted from high-quality Plexiglas, the piece showcases Dumas’s mastery of trans...
Plexiglass
Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968
By Lips Vago
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Congress model bookcase produced by Lips Vago since the 60s in painted steel. The bookcase is completely dismantled and its shelves adjustable in height. This is one of the best book...
Steel
1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1970's Umbo modular shelving system in canary yellow designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional. In good vintage condition.
Plastic
Bookcase and bar, 1960, italian , Material: Wood and (parchment leather)
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Bookcase Year: 1960 Country: French Wood and parchment leather It is an elegant and sophisticated bookcase. You want to live in the golden years, this is the bookcase that your pro...
Wood, Leather
Michel Dumas Large Chrome, Clear Plexiglass Shelf Unite by Roche Bobois
Located in Haderslev, DK
Rare shelf system by Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois, France early 1970s. High quality built clear plexi glass and chrome plated details. The system consists of a bar, cabinet for vinyl...
Chrome
1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A pair of smoked plexiglass floor stands produced in France during the 1970s. Their design captures the transition between late-Mid-Century clarity and the sculptural optimism of the Space Age era. Each stand is crafted from thick molded plexiglass with solvent-bonded joints, achieving both structural strength and refined transparency. The smoked amber tone filters light softly, creating luminous reflections that bring warmth to contemporary interiors. Measuring 40 × 30 × 30.5 cm, the pieces function beautifully as floor displays, modular pedestals, or record holders. Their form recalls the experimental use of acrylic and lucite in 1970s French furniture...
Plastic
$5,671Sale Price / set|20% Off
Living room and bookcase set Attr. a Acerbis black with display cabinet
By Acerbis
Located in Milano, IT
In the world of vintage Italian furniture, few pieces are as striking and versatile as your Black Acerbis lounge and bookcase set from the 1970s. This collection, comprising three di...
Metal
Modular Storage Units 'Incubo' by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
By Flair
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Designed in the early 1970s by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide Milano, the "Incubo Quadro" modular storage units are a brilliant fusion of conceptual design and functional utility. Each...
Plastic
Wood & Glass Vitrine Cabinet or Bookcase LB65 by Marco Zanuso for Poggi, 68
By Marco Zanuso Jr., Succ. Carlo Poggi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This bookcase or vitrine cabinet is made from a wooden structure with a grid design front side. It features a unique door with a magnetic closure and 4 thi...
Glass, Wood
Italian Space Age plastic magazine rack or bookcase by Aramis, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Space Age red, orange and white plastic magazine rack or bookcase by Aramis, 1970s Modular bookcase or magazine rack composed of eight compartments in white, orange and red A...
Plastic
Vintage Arched Rattan Accordion Etagere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage etagere is a masterwork of Hollywood Regency design, perfectly capturing the breezy elegance and sophisticated whimsy of 1970s Palm Beach style. Crafted from...
Wicker, Rattan, Glass
Italian Space Age Modular Bookcase in White Fiberglass Glass by Astrarte, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Modular bookcase in white fiberglass and glass by Astrarte, 1970s Modular bookcase with semi-cylinder structure in white fiberglass...
Glass, Fiberglass
Small 80s bookcase
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Small 1980s bookcase with yellow lacquered metal tubular frame and 5 white laminate shelves. Easily placed in all rooms of the house.
Metal
Bookcase in Glass and Iron, 1960, French
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Bookcase Year: 1960 Country: French It is an elegant and sophisticated bookcase. You want to live in the golden years, this is the bookcase that your project needs. We have special...
Iron
Danish Modern Large Rosewood Bookcase, 1970s.
By Svend Ellekær, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern large rosewood bookcase, 1960s. Large and impressive Scandinavian Modern 2 bay bookcase in stunning bookmatched Rosewood/Palisander veneer. This two part Danish librar...
Rosewood
$17,600Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 94.49 in W 14.18 in D 133.86 in
Willy Guhl 46 Piece Modular Concrete Cube Bookcase, 1978 Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Stunning monumental 46 piece concrete bookcase by Willy Guhl. Made up of 2 different sized hand-made concrete cubes.36 big size and 10 small size, Completely modular and able to be ...
Concrete
$4,250 / set
H 79 in W 42 in D 16 in
Design Institute America Chrome and Glass Etageres / Bookcases, 1970s - A Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of 1970s chrome and glass shelf bookcases or etageres attributed to Milo Baughman by DIA Design Institute America. Large Shelf Surface Area: W40.5" x D14.5" Small Shelf Surf...
Chrome
Willy Guhl Concrete Octagonal Vase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Made of fiber cement. 8 sided with small base. Great vintage condition. Great oversized vase.
Cement
$4,600
H 72.75 in W 11.75 in D 17.5 in
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
$20,191 / item
H 82.29 in W 118.12 in D 19.69 in
RITMICA Freestanding Double-side Modular Green Bookcase by Storagemilano
By Fratelli Boffi, Storagemilano
Located in Lentate sul Seveso, Monza e Brianza
Ritmica is a double-sided, load-bearing and modular bookcase, designed to integrate with elegance and functionality into living spaces and professional environments. The rack mechani...
Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
$7,041 / set
H 29.93 in W 89.77 in D 11.03 in
Mogens Koch Bookcases Set of Three Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch set of three bookcases in Oregon pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/NØRREBROGADE/KØBENHAVN.
Pine
$11,224
H 55.71 in W 55.12 in D 11.03 in
Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden Dimension...
Mahogany
$7,679
H 80.71 in W 88.59 in D 15.75 in
Michel Dumas Large Chrome, Clear Plexiglass Shelf Unite by Roche Bobois
Located in Haderslev, DK
Rare shelf system by Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois, France early 1970s. High quality built clear plexi glass and chrome plated details. The system consists of a bar, cabinet for vinyl...
Chrome
$1,104Sale Price|20% Off
H 64 in W 36 in D 12.5 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Bookcase. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Features a modern Scandinavian minimalist design with a beautiful teak wood grain. Offers plenty of storage space with three adjustable floating shelves edged with solid teak profile...
Teak
$2,646Sale Price|20% Off
H 124.02 in W 40.56 in D 9.45 in
Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' a Modular and Adaptable Bookcase
Located in Milano, Lombardia
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 ...
Brass, Iron
Napoleon III Kingwood Freestanding Open Bookcase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Napoleon III kingwood freestanding open bookcase, of oval form with four angled, fluted pilasters, the top and three shelves covered with tooled green leather, applied with moulded...
Kingwood
1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A pair of smoked plexiglass floor stands produced in France during the 1970s. Their design captures the transition between late-Mid-Century clarity and the sculptural optimism of the Space Age era. Each stand is crafted from thick molded plexiglass with solvent-bonded joints, achieving both structural strength and refined transparency. The smoked amber tone filters light softly, creating luminous reflections that bring warmth to contemporary interiors. Measuring 40 × 30 × 30.5 cm, the pieces function beautifully as floor displays, modular pedestals, or record holders. Their form recalls the experimental use of acrylic and lucite in 1970s French furniture...
Plastic
Sold
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
French 1970s Plexiglass Modular Cubes Smoked Acrylic Space Age Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This rare pair of French 1970s plexiglass modular cubes represents the innovative use of plastics in the Space Age era. Each cube is crafted from smoked PMMA sheets, heat-bent into s...
Plastic
1970’s UMBO Shelves, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Very hard to find 10 piece 1970’s UMBO Shelves, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional. Original white has faded to varying degrees of beige, as typical, and ...
Plastic
Sold
H 43.31 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Space Age Illuminated bookcase attributed to Joe Colombo, Italy, 1970
By Joe Colombo
Located in Padova, IT
Space Age revolving sculptural illuminated bookcase attributed to Joe Colombo; aluminum base, fiberglass structure, 8 bulbs inserted in the lower part controlled by a foot switch. Ve...
Aluminum
1990s Space Age Modular Wall Unit in the Style of Calligaris
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani
Located in La Mesa, CA
This vintage wall shelving unit, reminiscent of Calligaris’ 1970s designs, features 12” deep tempered glass shelves with aluminum frames and brac...
Aluminum
UMBO Modular Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional
By Directional
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Fun and functionality coalesce with this customizable, space-age design. Perfectly suitable for your 12" vinyl collection. 1970's white and ivory, molded ABS plastic, modular "U...
Plastic
Sold
H 74.81 in W 86.62 in D 11.82 in
Libreria "Multiplo", Rodolfo Bonetto, Guzzini, Vintage for Sale, 1970 ITA
Located in Milano, IT
Libreria "Multiplo" disegnata da Rodolfo Bonetto per Guzzini storico marchio italiano creato da Enrico Guzzini nel 1912 a Recanati. La libreria è modulabile pertanto si può modula...
Plastic
Sold
H 33.47 in W 88.59 in D 16.54 in
Red Fiberglass Library from Mim Roma - space age style design by Luigi Pellegrin
By MIM Roma
Located in Milano, IT
Space Age LIBRARY - Manufactured by MIM ROMA Stunning fiberglass library made between 1965-1975 for MIM ROMA a famous forniture retail in the center of Rome. The set is composed o...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 66.54 in W 61.03 in D 19.69 in
Large set of modular red and white shelves by Prisunic, France, 1970s
By Prisunic
Located in Lyon, FR
Unique set of modular shelves by Somm Paris for Prisunic, made in France in the 1970s. Prisunic is the ancestor of Monoprix, a big French supermarket, where you can also find clothes and designed furniture. Red, beige and white shelves...
Plastic
Modular Bookshelf in Fiberglass by Astarte, 1970s
Located in Parma, IT
Modular fiberglass bookcase produced by Astarte-Milan in the 1970s. Composed of 6 curved modules in painted fiberglass with half-moon crystal shelves. The bookcase is modular in he...
Crystal
Sold
H 86.62 in W 38.59 in D 14.97 in
Italian Space Age Red Metal Congresso Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1970s
By Lips Vago
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age red metal Congresso bookcase by Lips Vago, 1970s Congress model bookcase with structure entirely in metal with six shelves, with hooking system to the upright to a...
Metal
Roberto Monsani for Acerbis Illuminated Wall Unit
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Roberto Monsani for Acerbis illuminated wall unit 6 black boxes each one with a light and fixed on 4 white wall panels with some plexi fixtures...
Smoked Glass, Plexiglass, Wood