Skip to main content

Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE

Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.

ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
  • Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
  • Open, airy spaces
  • Promotion of functionality
  • Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
  • Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
  • A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods

SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.

Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.

Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.

The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak

Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.

Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.

On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries. 

to
6
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
46
30
69
8
630
288
177
43
21
18
14
10
9
9
8
5
5
4
3
3
1
1
68
8
56
4
2
2
6
28
3
1
77
36
32
23
22
74
66
46
11
8
77
69
70
7
7
5
4
3
Style: Scandinavian Modern
E Pedersen Sliding Coffee Bar Table Denmark 1960
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super stylish coffee table with sliding top and hidden bar which is manufactured by E. Pedersen & Son a-s, Denmark 1960. This coffee table has a sliding top which opens the bar part ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Laminate, Plexiglass, Rosewood

Midcentury Table Bar Cabinet, Leif Alring, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cool table bar cabinet by Leif Alring in a boxy form, opens from the top with an inset round handle. Rosewood veneer, inside dressed with red felt.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Felt, Rosewood

Knud Bent dry bar in rosewood Dyrlund Denmark 1960
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful dry bar designed by Knud Bent for Dyrlund, Denmark 1960. This sculptural and highly functional dry bar, designed by Knud Bent for Dyrlund in the 1960s, is a refined example...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Danish Modern Rosewood Adjustable Bar Cart with Storage C1965
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic rolling bar cart with an adjustable work area which opens to reveal ample storage for all your glassware and bottles. Beautifully designed out of Rosewood with laminate to...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Chrome

Walnut Dry Bar Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Paris, FR
This extremely elegant solid high quality Walnut wood Dry Bar Sideboard is the combination of a traditional sideboard with a sophisticated drinks cabinet. The design was inspired by ancient jewellery boxes: simple, neat containers of precious and shiny objects. It hides a reflective surface where you can store your best bottles and also includes an elegant black metal tray...
Category

2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Metal, Iron

Stunning Rosewood Expansion Bar Cart by Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A unique expansion bar in rosewood by Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen for Vantinge Møbelindustri with a black laminate top. When expanded, the interior two-tier storage holds barware, bott...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Glass, Formica, Rosewood

Swedish Midcentury Bar in Rosewood "Party Corner" by Wards Ateljéer AB, 1968
Located in Karlstad, SE
Scandinavian midcentury bar in Rosewood "Party Corner" by Wards Ateljéer AB 1968. The bar features a sliding door on top and the bar lights up when opened....
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Leif Alring Bar Cabinet Model 284 Produced by C.F. Christensen in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare bar cabinet model 284 designed by Leif Alring. Produced by C.F. Christensen in Denmark.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century "Swedish Grace" Cabinet / Bar / Sideboard Attr. to Eliel Saarinen
Located in New York, NY
Rare double level cabinet, sideboard, buffet, bar or etagere in the Modern Neoclassical tradition known as Swedish Grace in Scandinavia. The piece is attributed Eliel Saarinen, the father of Eero Saarinen. It is composed of various burl woods with the doors finished with stunning rectangular inlays providing harmony and balance. Classical figures adorn the corners of the base cabinet and shelving...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Wood

Scandinavian Designer Black Natural Wood Cabinet Dry Bar
Located in Paris, FR
This Bar Cabinet pays tribute to the National Spirit of Scandinavia. Elegant piece through the characteristic wooden slats, the creased lines and the smooth architectural design. All in perfect harmony with the necessary functionalities of a bar cabinet, evidencing 2 shelves with bottle storage height and depth for larger objects and the lower shelve for smaller objects such as glasses. This cabinet is made of sustainable birch plywood using CNC cut with innovating waste efficiency technology. We are using the highest quality woods with natural non-toxic glues and paint. This piece is assembled and finished by professional craftsmen. We offer free shipping to Europe...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Birch

Danish Modern Handled Teak & Black Enamel Rolling Two Tier Cart, 1950's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Scandinavian Modern rolling Two Shelf Teak & Black Tea Cart, Serving Cart Featuring a lipped, rounded corner solid grained Teak top shelf (19 x 27), lipped bottom shelf (16 x 23), st...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Metal, Steel

Johannes Andersen Folding Bar Cabinet Produced by Dyrlund in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare folding bar cabinet designed by Johannes Andersen. Produced by Dyrlund in Denmark.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Walnut and Oak Changeable Cabinet, Desk, Sideboard or Bar
Located in Paris, FR
Very elegant changeable cabinet, one open door in solid walnut. Beautiful Herringbone pattern in the door in solid oak. Its fully adjustable interiors that can be turned into a bar...
Category

2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Walnut, Oak

Rare Danish Freestanding Rosewood Bar by Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Danish rosewood bar by Danish designer Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen for Vantinge Mobelindustri. Classic 1960s Scandinavian design featuring double sliding door storage cabinet below, ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Rosewood

Walnut and Oak Changeable Cabinet, Desk, Sideboard or Bar
Located in Paris, FR
Very elegant changeable cabinet, one open door in solid walnut. Beautiful Herringbone pattern in the door in solid oak. Its fully adjustable interiors that can be turned into a bar...
Category

2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Danish Teak Serving Cart
Located in Highland, IN
With two surfaces, casters, and handles to steer it, this beautiful teak cart is perfect as a serving or bar cart. The sculpted sides with flowing lines and integrated handles offer ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Bar in Rosewood by Lief Alring
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian bar inRio rosewood by Lief Alring for CF Christiansen.
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Rosewood

Scandinavian Modern dry bars for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern dry bars 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 dry bars created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, rosewood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern dry bars made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original dry bars, popular names associated with this style include Dyrlund, Torbjørn Afdal, Bruksbo, and Kurt Østervig. 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 dry bars differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $499 and tops out at $21,000 while the average work can sell for $5,000.

Recently Viewed

View All