Modern Shelves
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Style: Modern
Color: Brown
Comet, Hand Carved, Sculptural Floating Shelf in Ash Wood by David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Comet catches the movement of light across the sky, in this angular, twisting floating shelf, which along with Corona, features in the Celestial Series. Its tapering form creates a s...
Category
2010s British Modern Shelves
Materials
Ash
Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter.”
William L. Hamilton, The wall street journal
The primo shelving system is composed of notched solid wood planks...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Luca Meda Shelving Unit, Molteni, Italy, c1970
By Luca Meda, Molteni & C
Located in London, GB
Luca Meda grew up and studied in Milan, graduating from the renowned Art School of Brera in the heart of the city. He continued his studies in Germany, at the Hochschule für Gestaltu...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Bench Sitting AccardiBuccheri Medulum Oak Sheet Metal
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a line of furniture redefining internal landscapes. Objects made of bent
sheets of metal, recalling voids like windows opened towards inhabited spaces,
sculptures that become a bench, a bookcase, a bedside table or a console.
Elementary forms inspired by architectural shapes...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Sheet Metal
Pair of Modern Herringbone Oak Bookcases
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 Shelves
Materials
Oak
Four Shelves 'Verticale' Polished Oak Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four shelves 'Verticale' polished oak shelving unit.
Highest quality solid oak construction.
Comes in 2 parts connected with dowels, for easy ship...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Vitulus Sculptural, Hand Carved, Floating Shelf in Maple Wood by David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
The elegant balletic movement of a seal (vitulus in Latin), darting through the waves was the initial spark for this sculptural floating shelf. I was looking to make a piece that mar...
Category
2010s European Modern Shelves
Materials
Maple
Mirrored Pair Contemporary Shelving "Paso" in Walnut by Casey Lurie
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Paso shelving was designed to embody simplicity and harmony through the use of rhythmical geometries and warm natural materials. Alternating ladder-like shelves create discrete secti...
Category
2010s North American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Wall Mounted Console w/ Doors, Ivory Wood & Bronze Ribbon Hardware by Debra Folz
By Debra Folz
Located in Pawtucket, RI
An interest in the translation of textile languages and soft surfaces through furniture forms has led to the development of a unique hardware and storage collection. Inspired by ribb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Bronze
Unison Vinyl Record Storage Cabinet in Natural Ash
Located in Nyack, NY
The Unison vinyl storage cabinet is a perfect stand alone solution for vinyl record storage or it also makes a great companion to any Unison Record Rack a...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Ash
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, White, Made to Order
By Souda
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 Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
Corner cupboard, shelf, open shelf unit, coffe table height 138xØ46cm
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Tables on one or more levels, furnish ironically without remaining unnoticed. Ideal companions for public and private environments and contexts.
The structure is a curved metal roun...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, White, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 84" Shelves & 12 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Large, 1
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco
Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Pine
Dovetail Audio Rack Deep
Located in Nyack, NY
The dovetail audio rack is the perfect pairing to the dovetail vinyl storage cabinet. The audio rack system includes five shelves to display an entire s...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Mensola 2017 - Shelf
Located in Mosciano Sant'angelo, TE
Shelf and back in walnut strips are held together by two thin triangular cheeks in painted metal.
The simple and primitive shape gives the shelf the opportunity to be used with vari...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Iron
Modern Herringbone Oak Bookcase, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern herringbone parquetry bookcase in our light 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 Shelves
Materials
Oak
Noviembre XVIII Large Wall Shelf in Oak Wood, Floating Shelf by Joel Escalona
Located in Estado de Mexico CP, Estado de Mexico
Noviembre XVIII Large Wall Shelf in Oak Wood, Floating Shelf by Joel Escalona
The Noviembre collection is inspired by the creative values of Constant...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak, Wood, Hardwood
Corner Cupboard Shelf Coffee Table Storage Cabinet Bookcase Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Tables on one or more levels, furnish ironically without remaining unnoticed. Ideal companions for public and private environments and contexts.
The structure is a curved metal roun...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
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 Shelves
Materials
Oak
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 Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Contemporary Bookcase Lacquered, Veneer Oak/Walnut
Located in New York, NY
Modular bookcase that is available in various sizes. It consists of shelves, back panels and fronts in the shape of a cross. The back panels and the shelves can be either wood veneer...
Category
2010s European Modern Shelves
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
Modern Rustic Oak Etagere - Dark
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern rustic-style dark oak etagere with five oak-crafted display shelves firmly supported by a crossed "X" stretcher at its back. It is secured with a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Modern Hobart Bookcase, Walnut Veneer, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Hobart modern bookcase was born to mimic the natural ebb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Small, 1
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco
Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Adjustable Birch & Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String Sweden
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern adjustable wall shelves. Constructed of birch and coated wire. Made by String in Sweden. Measures: 39" tall x 31.5" x 11.75"...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
Butterfly Wall Shelf by Rejo Studio
Located in Riyadh, SA
A unique wall storage unit, featuring curves on the both sides to accommodate all your items on every side.
Dimension. W 76 x D 30 x H 60 cm
Mate...
Category
2010s Saudi Arabian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Perforated Medium Storage Box, Solid Birch Wood Perforated Box by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wooden storage box made in holed solid birch wood. Large holes creates a distinct graphic look and allows light to flow through. The boxes are light and easy to hold. They work both ...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
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 Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Consolle in metal and wood - by Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri for Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a collection made up of folded sheet metal structures and solid wood
shelves fixed by a joint. Whether it is our bench, stool, console or bookcase,
Vodo will be perfect for a...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Sheet Metal
Bookcase, cabinet, corn in metal and wood by AccardiBuccheri for Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a collection made up of folded sheet metal structures and solid wood
shelves fixed by a joint. Whether it is our bench, stool, console or bookcase,
VODO will be perfect for ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Sheet Metal
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Small, 3
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco
Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Pine
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Small, 2
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco
Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Pine
Modern Rustic Oak Etagere, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern rustic-style light oak etagere with five oak-crafted display shelves firmly supported by a crossed "X" stretcher at its back. It is secured with a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
21st Century Matteo Zorzenoni Bookcase Wood Bones Scapin Collezioni
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Bones bookcase, Colorama Collection
Design by Matteo Zorzenoni for Scapin Collezioni
Soft lines and visual lightness are the key traits that dist...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Ash
ClassiCon Taidgh Shelf C in Walnut by Taidgh O’neill
Located in New York, NY
Sculpture or shelf, storage surface or object – the various models of the Taidgh series created by the Californian designer Taidgh O’Neill move within these poles. Surfaces provide r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Small Suspended Bookcase Molteni&C by Gio Ponti - D.355.2 - made in Italy
By Gio Ponti, Molteni & C
Located in New York, NY
D.355.2 Small Suspended Bookcase by Gio Ponti.
Expert-crafted in Italy exclusively by Molteni&C.
As if floating in air, the D.355.2 small suspend...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Dragon Shelf Contemporary Shelf in Black Walnut
Located in London, GB
Dragon Shelf is a shelf-unit that is entirely crafted from massive black walnut (Noce Canaletto). This object can be used as a display unit for collectibl...
Category
2010s Macedonian Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
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 Shelves
Materials
Walnut
DeCastelli Cottage N.1 Landscape in Wood by Filippo Pisan
By DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In a revisitation of the classic garden shed that emphasizes the characteristics of its materials, underlined by minimalist design, an external corten stee...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
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 contemporary design to create a refined piece of wooden furniture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
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 Shelves
Materials
Walnut
One of a Kind Custom Emmett Moore Limed Oak Bookcase, USA, 2014
Located in Miami, FL
One of a kind bookcase rendered in limed oak with undulating oak shelves and six adjustable glass shelves, numerous uniquely shaped compartments make this piece multifunctional for c...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass, Oak
Six Shelves 'Verticale' Polished Oak Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Six shelves 'Verticale' polished oak shelving unit.
Highest quality solid oak construction.
Comes in 3 parts connected with dowels, for easy shipping, installation and moving.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Unison Vinyl Record Storage Cabinet in Solid Natural Walnut
Located in Nyack, NY
The Unison Vinyl Record Storage Cabinet is a perfect stand alone solution for vinyl record storage or it also makes a great companion to any Unison Record Stand...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Opinion Ciatti La Gabbia Shelving Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
La Gabbia, Lapo Ciatti's storage cabinet is a sculptural element of scenic impact made of metal and aluminum, embellished with 24 glossy studs. La Gabbia is a practical organizer equ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum, Metal
Two Shelves 'Verticale' Polished Oak Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two shelves 'Verticale' polished oak shelving unit.
Highest quality solid oak construction.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Black Walnut and Maple Saddle Shoe Shelf with Glass
Located in Hobart, NY
Saddle shoe shelf - maple and black walnut with 1/2" star fire glass shelves.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass, Maple, Walnut
Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 M" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system.
Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Category
2010s North American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Wall Unit in Matt Lacquer & Wood by David Lopez Quincoces for Lema
Located in Chicago, IL
LT 40 wall unit by David Lopez Quincoces for Lema
Modular system with versatile aesthetics and function
LT40 is a fully customisable modular system of containers and wall elements available in four configurations: floor, sideboard, wall-mounted and panelling. Ideal in any room of the house, the four configurations can be liberally combined and supplemented with a series of additional elements: double side containers, benches and storage solutions for multimedia equipment, tops in marble and stone, box containers in wood or glass and an integrated LED lighting system. Also available with the push and pull opening further enhancing the pureness of its essential lines.
Another unique feature of the LT40 system is the wooden LT_FRAME containers, which can be attached to the wall and have a strong graphic impact, bringing colour to any space. They are available in two sizes and six predefined configurations featuring closed and open sections, while a LED lighting system adds definition to the profile. The compositions are finished with 10 mm side and top panels, which are cut to fit as snugly as a bespoke suit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
P&P 900 Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Line Roset
Located in San Diego, CA
P&P 900 modular wall mounted storage system by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, circa 2000s. This modular wall system uses anodized aluminum beams as...
Category
20th Century French Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Light Grey Lacquered Beech
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oblique is a cupboard slash a wall shelf. Make this the mood board of your lifestyle. Display all your favorite publications, company magazines, booklets, guides or photos in the chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Curry Lacquered Beech
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oblique is a cupboard slash a wall shelf. Make this the mood board of your lifestyle. Display all your favorite publications, company magazines, booklets, guides or photos in the chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
Contemporary Bookcase Floor to Ceiling Storage Unit Brass Marble Bookshelf
Located in Milan, IT
Bookcase 01
Floor to ceiling bookcase featuring 3 back-painted glass doors colored in cold tones, marble or onyx top, lacquered wooden interior and brass shelving. Each of the three...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble, Brass
Surfer - Modern, Organic Sculptural, Sapele Wood Shelf - available in 5 tones
Located in Hoboken, NJ
The designers’ initial idea was to make a shelf, but when it was done it seemed a shame to put anything on it. Maybe it’s a sculptural piece. They leave this dilemma, and the challen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Console Table Iron in Wood and Lacquered Metal
Located in Lisbon, PT
Iron console is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in natural walnut veneer and lacquered metal feet. The console is divided by one shelf and in two drawers and...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Vermilion Lacquered Beech
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oblique is a cupboard slash a wall shelf. Make this the mood board of your lifestyle. Display all your favorite publications, company magazines, booklets, guides or photos in the chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
ClassiCon Taidgh Shelf B in Oak by Taidgh O’Neill
Located in New York, NY
Sculpture or shelf, storage surface or object – the various models of the Taidgh series created by the Californian designer Taidgh O’Neill move within these poles. Surfaces provide r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Modern shelves for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern shelves 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 shelves created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, wall decorations, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern shelves made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original shelves, popular names associated with this style include Marcel Wanders, Moooi, Souda, and Casey Lurie. 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 shelves differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11 and tops out at $88,764 while the average work can sell for $3,091.
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