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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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Style: Modern
Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Hobart bookcase captures the natural ebb and flow of life through its ingenious geometr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Opinion Ciatti Henry II Triangular Corner Wall Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Cityscape wall unit with display shelf Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A custom made large wall unit by Paul Evans Studio for Directional. It consists of four portals with cityscape brass and chrome patchwork that support eight smoke glass shelves and a...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Connect Bookcase or Shelf Customizable in Blackened Steel and Polished Bronze
Located in Vancouver, BC
The Connect bookcase is designed to express the process by which each piece is created, with visible construction and fastening details that are integral to the final piece. Traditional joinery techniques are used in conjunction with mass manufacturing technology to create this unique metal cabinetry...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Shelves
Materials
Bronze, Steel
USM Haller Pedestal M Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L.
With one 6" drawer and one 14" filing drawer and casters. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Pair of Modern Black Bookcases in Solid Wood
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern black bookcases in solid wood. Finished in a satin black finish with sleek modern styling. Sold in a pair, 4 total available.
P...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
$6,000 / set
Cornisa Shelfs by Lluís Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
Cornisa Shelfs by Lluís Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Dimension: D 26 x W 250 x H 6 cm
Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most functional d...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
$5,977 / item
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, 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 Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
$4,250 Sale Price / set
15% Off
Contemporary Display Shelving "Primo" in White Oak and Brass by Casey Lurie
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...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
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
Vodo bookcase, in oak and metal, by Accardi 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 ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Sheet Metal
$1,434 Sale Price / item
20% Off
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
California Modern Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 157.5 inch wide pink cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is by Lou Hodges and was designed and produ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
$14,100 Sale Price / set
21% Off
White Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black, 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
$6,800 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Yellow Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
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 Shelves
Materials
Steel
$5,463 / item
Top Part, Stack Floor Shelf by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Top Part - Stack floor shelf by Kristina Dam Studio.
Materials: Solid oak & walnut with oil treatment.
Dimensions: 25 x 100 x H 46cm.
Add extra storag...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak, Walnut
$1,380 / item
One Series Shelves Contemporary Shelve in Steel
Located in London, GB
Limited resources like materials and methods sometimes stimulate designer's imagination. One series uses a single sheet of metal without waste so that it creates novel aesthetic and ...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$8,061 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Bronze Glass Light Up Shelf Étagère with Smoked Acrylic Accents
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage Disco era glass light-up etagere with bronze wash frame and smoked acrylic accents. The shelf features a unique light-up base and a large spotlight...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$2,656 Sale Price
30% Off
Pink Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Maya Travertine Marble Shelve Contemporary Design Marble Made in Spain Meddel
By Joaquín Moll, Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Maya Travertine Marble Shelve Contemporary Design Marble Made in Spain Meddel
The Maya shelving unit, designed by renowned Spanish designer Joaquín Moll, is a stunning example of con...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Crystal, Travertine, Marble
AS4 modular wall unit 32" wide bookshelf in solid walnut and blackened steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
The AS4 modular shelving unit is handmade using solid hardwood with dovetail joinery, and solid steel. This single-bay shelving unit can easily be rearranged, expanded upon, and rel...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Architectural Italian Wall-Mounted Shelving System
Located in North Miami, FL
Rare Industrial Italian wall-mounted library or shelving system that is completely customize-able to your design needs. A long shelving unit fitted with seven powder coated metal posts...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Brass
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 Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Black Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Solid Dark Stainless Steel Wall Object with Natural Stones by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Wall Object by Lee Sisan
Dimensions: W 60 x D 60 x H 26 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone.
Each piece is made to order and uses natural stones, so pl...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Stone, Stainless Steel
Moroso SECRET CUBIC SHELVES by Olafur Eliasson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Moroso presents “Secret Cubic Shelves”, designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.
A result of the artist’s intensive, decades-long engagement with geometry, the shelves a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$16,192 / item
Riley 5 Shelf Unit by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Riley 5 shelf unit by Dare Studio, 2018
Dimensions: H 164.5 cm, D 40 cm, W 180 cm
Materials: European white oak with black stain, powder coated frame in blac...
Category
2010s British Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
$6,529 / item
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
Wall-Mounted Tidal Shelf in Red Powder-Coated Aluminum by Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The wall-mounted, tidal shelf is formed out of 1/4 inch thick, powder-coated aluminum. Each shelf has a welded U-channel to the reverse of the shelf and ea...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf B in Mirrored Gold by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
AS6 wall unit 48" wide shelves in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Division Shelving by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Division Shelving by Phase Design
Dimensions: D 38,1 x W 91,4 x H 112,4 cm.
Materials: Powder-coated solid steel.
Solid steel sheet available in a flat black or white powder coat f...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$9,850 / item
Contemporary Half Moon Etagere
Located in Westwood, NJ
A contemporary-style half-moon etagere with a light and airy design. The tall frame has been given a high polished gold finish and surrounds each of the six...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
$6,800 / item
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 Shelves
Materials
Steel
21st Century Matteo Zorzenoni Bones Bookcase Blue Lacquered Wood Bones Scapin
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
Ash, Wood
shelve by Marcel Gascoin edited by Arhec
Located in PARIS, FR
This oak shelve from 1949 is an emblematic piece of Marcel Gascoin's work and of the housing Reconstruction period.
Marcel Gascoin, born August 24, 1907 in Le Havre and died October ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Contemporary Minimal Sculptural Metal Black and Copper Corner Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary sculptural set of four metal minimal corner shelves are perfect for any space be it a living room, office, or bathroom.
These Minimalist shelves, whether installed...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel, Copper
Perforated Small Low Storage Box, 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
Yusu Shelving and Storage Unit IV
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Yusu Shelf and Storage Unit offers a solution where you can easily display and store your products. Yusu, made of durable beech plywood, offers customizable dimensions to suit your l...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Small Walnut and Steel Minimalist Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Small walnut and steel minimalist shelf
Dimensions: L 50 x W 18 x H 12 cm
Materials: Steel W. Powder Coating, Brass Plating & Walnut MDF.
Also available in Black Ash and in size...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$473 / item
Shelf "Gridlock" kaidan dansu handcrafted from black walnut
Located in Carnota, A Coruña, Galicia
The design of this shelf from black walnut with an oil finish is based on the traditional Japanese furniture piece called Hako Kaidan or...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
$8,990 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Grid Cabinet by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Grid cabinet by Kristina Dam Studio.
Materials: Beige outdoor powder-coated steel
Dimensions: 76 x 45 x 131 cm
Dimensions cannot be customized...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$6,312 / item
Karl Springer "Round Leg Etagere" in Solid Lucite and Steel 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Round Leg Etagere" in solid lucite and brushed and polished steel with 5 customized glass shelves by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The craftsmanship of this ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
ClassiCon Paris 3 Shelves in Black by E. Barber & J. Osgerby
Located in New York, NY
Furnishing is a creative game of possibilities. The shelving unit Paris by the London design team of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby offers plenty of Scope to indulge the urge to play....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Unique Happy Hour Liquor Cabinet by Ekin Varon
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique happy hour liquor cabinet by Ekin Varon
Dimensions: L 203.2 x W 50.8 x H 88.9 cm
Materials: Exterior, Gray Natural Mulled Leather, Terracotta, Sage Green
Interior: Walnut Veneer
Hardware: Brass, Blackened Brass
Custom materials, sizing and finishes available as item is made to order.
This wine & liquor credenza is made for people who love their wine and their whiskey and are always excited to host happy hours at their home. The top lid opens to reveal an icebox for your Moet. The doors open up to reveal four interior shelves, one drawer, racks for hanging wine glasses, and a twenty-five-bottle wine storage rack, providing you with ample storage space for your spirits, glassware, and other bar items...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
$21,040 / item
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
$7,170 / item
Into The Woods Bookcase, White and Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
A long walk through a Swedish forest beneath intertwined branches of huge trees, was the inspiration of the dazzling Into the Woods bookcase.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
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
$3,585 / item
Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Hobart bookcase captures the natural ebb and flow of lif...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Windsor-Style Black and Gold Bordered Desk Top Shelving
Located in Queens, NY
Windsor-style (modern) black top of desk shelving unit with three compartments trimmed in gold, nailhead-like dots, and scalloped top and bottom edges.
...
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves
Materials
Porcelain
Mirth Shelveing/Room Divider in Polished Concrete by Neal Aronowitz
Located in Portland, OR
The extraordinary and playful Mirth Shelving/Room Divider is a harmonious blend of functionality and artistic expression. Crafted from concrete, finished to an impeccably high smooth...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Cement
Signed Lucite and Chrome Étagère by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous clear acrylic and polish chrome with glass shelves étagère design in 1973 by renowned American design Charles Hollis Jones for Paul Laszlo. The étagère is in original con...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Montana Module With Four Large Compartments By Peter J. Lassen For Montana
Located in Lejre, DK
Grey Montana module with four large compartments, designed by Peter J. Lassen.
Dimensions: H:70cm W:70cm D:30cm
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Proportions of Stone Shelf Level 07 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of stone shelf level 07 by Lee Sisan
Dimensions: W 76 x D 76 x H 160 cm
Materials: stainless steel, natural stone
Each piece is made to or...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Stone, Steel
$37,084 / item
Large Modern Shelving Unit
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our La Scalia shelving unit is a large custom built bookshelf with four pillars supporting floating shelves. Each pillar is wrapped in a textured vinyl that comes in five different color ways: Platinum, Silver, Rose Gold, Old Bronze and Iron. Each shelf shown is lacquered in white dove with a glossy finish. Customers choose color, finish and size. The unit is a functional modern design perfect for storing books and home decor accents...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$33,630 / item
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in solid walnut
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Curry 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
e15 Mate Shelf by Florian Asche
By Florian Asche, e15
Located in New York, NY
The distinct solid wood shelf unit Mate is leant against the wall and thus expresses casual spontaneity. The shelves are fastened to the backboard by means of a classic dovetail join...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
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.