Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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.

to
90
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
298
264
533
68
15
1,026
158
87
86
76
72
47
33
33
28
23
23
9
9
7
6
68
548
18
41
3
3
5
21
6
3
386
333
156
133
109
387
155
148
139
65
616
147
241
61
61
41
12
12
Style: Modern
Fillet Walnut Shelf by Table Borgi Bastormagi
Located in Geneve, CH
Fillet walnut shelf by Table Borgi Bastormagi Dimensions: W 125 x D 70 x H 180 cm Material: Steel, walnut wood Other materials are available. Fillet...
Category

2010s Lebanese Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Three Level Stainless Steel Shelf with Natural Stones by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Shelf Level 03 by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 54 x D 54 x H 65 cm Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone Each piece is made to order a...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Shelves

Materials

Stone, Steel

Steel Contemporary Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel Contemporary Shelf Dimensions: L 30 x W 17.8 x H 30 cm Materials: Steel. Also available in gold. Find yourself drawn by the euphoric divinity, which the German interi...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

7 Piece Travertine + Glass Sculptural Shelf, Italy 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous seven piece sculptural shelf likely custom designed by an interior designer for an Italian residence. This 1970s tiered shelf is both maximal and minimal. The cone form, p...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Travertine

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 116" Shelves & 12 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adj...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

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

Karl Springer styled Lucite / Bamboo / Glass Etagere
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted Etagere with clear Lucite posts straddled by hardened bamboo pieces woven to each corner making for nice detailed construction . Five glass shelves that include t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Glass, Lucite

Small Rose Steel Contemporary Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Small rose steel contemporary shelf Dimensions: L 39 x W 23 x H 23 cm Materials: Steel with powder coating. Available in colors: Black, bordeaux, fore...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Copenhagen Wall Unit by BoConcept
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the stunning Copenhagen Wall Unit by BoConcept, a must-have addition to any modern home. Crafted with the highest quality materials, this wall unit boasts a sleek and con...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Dovetail Audio Rack
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

Dovetail Audio Rack
Dovetail Audio Rack
$4,295 / item
Large Rose Steel Contemporary Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Large forest steel contemporary shelf Dimensions: L 78 x W 23 x H 23 cm Materials: Steel with powder coating. Available in colors: Black, cordeaux, forest, and rose. Also availa...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj
Located in Geneve, CH
Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj Dimensions: D 62 x W 40 x H 100 cm Materials: Metal Unique Piece This collection aims to offer completely unique pieces. Each is di...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Handmade Low Commode by Jiří Krejčiřík
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Low Commode by Jirí Krejcirík Dimensions: 130 x 50 x 53 cm Material: Birch Wood Also available in other materials and dimensions. The furniture is inspired by Czech Ar...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Birch

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 52" shelves & 8 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

Vodo bench, in oak and colored metal, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
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

Rare Custom Made Versace Hardwood & Brass Console Bookcase Display Sideboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this truly stunning custom made to order Versace mahogany and brass console bookcase A very high end commission, this was ordered around 12 years ago by the then richest lady in England, apparently it cost £47,000 new, this was installed in her home in Chelsea which was an extremely grand estate set up solely for visiting guests and family, the property was used sparsely during that period, as such it was recently sold The piece is solid mahogany with a brass gallery around the base shelf which has the Versace mask...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Modern Daniele Papuli for Dilmos Bookshelf Storage Handmade Paper
Located in Milan, IT
Totem sculpture of angular shape with support on the ground, made with strips of selected paper for weight and color for Dilmos Milnao. The Totem is equipped with an internal, laminated lamellar structure with three shelves. Metria is a single vertical element which in composition with several elements, it becomes a modular partition wall...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Paper

2023 Z-Shelf Kit 4 Library Left MO by Ron Arad for Moroso
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Z-shelf (left), originally designed by Ron Arad. These examples were produced by Moroso in Italy circa 2023. The shelves are made completely of black sheet steel. The liste...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Wenge Stained Oak
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, g...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, 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 Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Pórtico Bookshelf
Located in San Pedro Garza García, N.L.
Pórtico Bookshelf takes its name from classical architectural spaces, covered walkways defined by arcades and columns attached to the facades of ancient buildings. This bookshelf fro...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood

Pórtico Bookshelf
Pórtico Bookshelf
$3,645 / item
Console Table Iron in Wood and Polished Brass Feet
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

Parade Wall Shelf, by Morten & Jonas from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Elegant metal shelving unit with plenty of space for all your favourite possessions. Parade is perfect for putting your belongings on display with the shelving unit serving as a beautiful frame. It comes either as a complete shelving unit or as an extended version with extra shelves, inspired by 1960s-style wooden shelves or luggage racks on trains, with the same lightweight idiom and functionality. This means that Parade can be used in an infinite number of ways: from the stylish storage of teapot, cups and plates in the kitchen to the display of books, pretty vases...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Modern Etagere w/Black & Charcoal Gray Textured Metal Tube Frame & Glass Shelves
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Modern etagere with black & charcoal gray textured metal tube frame & 5 glass shelves. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will h...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Shelve Unit by Johan Viladrich, Collectible Design, 2020, Rotterdam
Located in Antwerp, BE
Collectible design; Contemporary; Johan Viladrich; Functional Art; Polyethylene; Sabine Marcelis; Everyday Gallery; French design; Art; Bookcase; Office furniture; Store furniture...
Category

2010s French Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Midcentury Adjustable Birch and Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String, Sweden, 8" D
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern adjustable birch and coated wire ladder wall shelves made in Sweden by String Design, circa 1960s. Size: 39" tall x 31.5 wide x 8" deep.
Category

1960s European Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Birch

Set of 6 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black, Modern, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 6 84" shelves and 18 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can ad...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" shelves and 9 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adj...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Amuneal's Loft 3 Post Back Bar Unit with Pull Out Wine Cabinets
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Loft 3 Post Bar Cabinet and shelving with pull out wine storage is shown here in Cerused Chestnut, Charred Pine, Blackened Steel and Bronze. Our loft posts in blackened gunmetal and fully machined brass fittings in our buffed brass finish mount from the top of our cabinet and tie back to the wall to support 8 shelves. Amuneal’s proprietary machined hardware clamps onto the posts so that the shelves can be easily adjusted at any time. The burnt oak shelves are milled in house from solid white oak to a thickness of 1.5” before being hand-finished using the traditional Shou Sugi Ban process of burning the wood. Once completed, the shelves are sealed with a protective coating that keeps that burnt finish from rubbing off. The combination of blackened steel posts, machined and patinated brass hardware and the charred oak shelves make this a stunning and sculptural shelving option for any space. Integrated bronze bottle stops...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Vintage Midcentury Custom Oak Gilt Steel Metal Shelf Etagere Display Case
Located in Wilton, CT
Large, vintage, custom gilt steel and oak etagere, circa 1960s-1970s, with four heavy 1/2" chamfered glass shelves. Measures: 78" high, 35" wide, 19" deep. Excellent vintage conditio...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, White, Made to Order
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

Set of Three Burl Wood and Smoked Plexiglass Bookcases
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Set of three vintage bookcases. Burl wood shelves and smoked plexiglass vertical supports with brass fittings, American, 1970s.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Shelves

Materials

Plexiglass, Burl

21st Century Taxila Bookcase in Wood and Metal by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
The bamboo cane, an evocative element of naturalistic inspiration, is proposed with a polished brass finish, a reference to ethnicity that meets the refinement of precious materials,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Oïrigami Shelf by Atelier oï
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Oïrigami Shelf by Atelier oï Dimensions: W 180 x D27.5 x H 54.5 cm Materials: Walnut Finish Board, Black Or Grigio Peltro, Powder-Coated Metal Supports Oïrigami shelves...
Category

2010s French Modern Shelves

Materials

Other

Contemporary Asymmetrical Bookcase with Teak Wall Panel and Aluminum Shelving
Located in Chicago, IL
Bookcase unit to be horizontally or vertically positioned. Shelves in aluminium varnished folded sheet metal. Back panel in teak wood. Designed by Giuseppe Vigano for Tisettanta ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 116" shelves & 20 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adj...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Buffet & the Library Signed by Gigi Design
Located in Geneve, CH
The Buffet & The Library Signed by Gigi Design Dimensions: H 90 cm x W240 cm x D40 cm Materials: Oak slat – Recycled plastic. Through this creation, we wanted to revisit the traditi...
Category

2010s French Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic, Oak

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 84" Shelves & 15 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

Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 52" Shelves & 4 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

Bonham Walnut and Roasted Ash Shelf
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Bonham shelf features a stunning combination of rich walnut and roasted ash, handcrafted to create a luxurious storage solution that effortlessly...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Shelves

Materials

Ash, Walnut

Amuneal’s Loft Mirror and Bleached Oak Console with Champagne Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal’s loft system uses a series of custom fittings, machined from solid brass, that allow each component to be easily reconfigured around a single pos...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, White and Maple, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 52" Shelves & 4 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket ...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

DeCastelli Airframe by Pio & Tito Toso Design
By Pio Toso, DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Airframe bookcase celebrates the art of hammered metal, highlighting the savoir-faire and artisan virtuosity that define De Castelli. Its aerodynamic shape outlines a fine metal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Tapparelle Sideboard, Mustard Yellow by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, mustard yellow by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H.75 D.50 W.160 cm Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Medium, 1
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

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Maple, 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

ClassiCon Paris 2 Shelves in Light Grey 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

Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 116" Shelves & 8 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

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, White, 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 Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

French Modern Style Forged Bronze and Woven Rattan Étagère, Sculptural Form
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Style Forged Bronze and Woven Rattan Étagère, Sculptural Form A sculptural and generously scaled French Modern-style étagère, beautifully crafted from forged bronzed m...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

ClassiCon Taidgh Shelf D 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

Contemporary Bookcase B, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SEM Pivot Contemporary collection, bookcase B, simple and sculptural. The supporting structure is a rigid system of metal tubes to which are added shelves in beautiful stone elm wood combined with various lacquered containers...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass

Daida Marble Shelve Luxury Emperador Marble & Glass Bookshelf Meddel Design
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Daida Marble Shelve Luxury Emperador Marble & Glass Bookshelf Meddel Design Designed by Joaquín Moll for Meddel, the Daida Shelf is a celebration of pure form and timeless materials....
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Crystal, Marble

21st Century Eret Console in Tropicalized Metal by Samer Alameen
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"Meccano: more than a toy, an iconic building set teaching basic mechanical principles. Over a hundred years since its inception, this game inspires a brand new artifact. Eret is a s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

"Ibex" Brushed Black Fausto Wall Storage by Ibride - Benoit Convers - France
Located in Linkebeek, BE
"Ibex" Brushed Black Fausto Wall Storage by Ibride - Benoit Convers - France Wall Storage - Ibex - Modern - Decoration Measures : 59cmx90cm H:204cm Material : High pressure laminate...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves

Materials

Laminate

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Modern White Wood Wall Shelf/Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price includes 4 84" long shelves with 12 white brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket fin...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

ClassiCon Paris 3 Shelves in White and Grey 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

Siam Bookshelf with Celadon 'Plant Not Include', Monkey Pod Wood
Located in Chiangmai, TH
A collaborative work of two renowned local brands from Chiang Mai, Moonler and Siam Celadon. The Siam bookshelf fuses celadon, the highly praised local ceramic, with Chamchuri wood, ...
Category

2010s Thai Modern Shelves

Materials

Celadon, Wood

Ghidini 1961 Legs Bookshelves in Crystal and Brass by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Bookshelves in crystal and brass. The designer imagines a turning point in the use of such a precious finishes such as polished brass: from the idea of almost a unique object in its...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Crystal

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

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.

Recently Viewed

View All