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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in Hague blue lacquer 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
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in white lacquer
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, Bronze
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This includes 5 52" Shelves & 10 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adjust the length on a per ...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
$5,950 Sale Price / set
15% Off
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Walnut, 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
$7,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Maple, 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
$5,525 Sale Price / set
15% Off
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Walnut, 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
$11,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
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
$13,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 52" shelves & 10 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
$6,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 84" 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
$4,675 Sale Price / set
15% Off
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, White and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
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
$5,312 Sale Price / set
15% Off
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Traffic Yellow 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, g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
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
$8,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Incrocio Gold Bookshelves By Andrea Branzi
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant frame can be used to display photos, small pots and books and other little objects. It is created by Andrea Branzi and features a structure of parallel and perpendicular...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
$21,241 / item
Column Shelving, Low by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column shelving, low by WL Ceramics.
Design: David Derksen
Materials: porcelain, dark brown effect glaze, corten steel
Dimensions: (70 x 25 ceramic), 150 x 40 x 70
Also availab...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$3,586 / item
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 84" shelves and 6 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
$4,675 Sale Price / set
15% Off
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, Extra Long, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 116" shelves and 20 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can a...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
$14,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
21st Century Matteo Zorzenoni Bones Bookcase Black PaintedWood 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 distinguish the Bones bookcase. Thanks t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, Extra long, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 116" shelves and 20 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can a...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
$14,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Modern Hobart Bookcase, Beige Gold 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
Contemporary Sculptural Black Steel Etagere Bookcase Storage Shelf Pair, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
This set includes two modern Etagere bookcases Storage Shelves which are contemporary and sculptural.
The functional modern yet minimal sculptural Ah...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Luis Pons, Frame Nightstand White
By Luis Pons
Located in Geneve, CH
Frame nightstand white.
FRA-03B frame collection.
Design by Luis Pons.
Two drawers nightstand featuring a walnut finish interior. Antique bro...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$28,931 / item
Contemporary Sculptural Black Steel Etagere Bookcase Storage Shelf USA
Located in Chicago, IL
The contemporary modern Black Steel Ahn etagere is a study in positive and negative space. With its five different asymmetrical and organic surfaces, Ahn is a minimal sculpture in its own right, playing with balance and tension between the shelves while serving as an etagere, bookcase, or storage shelf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in white lacquer 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
Contemporary Modern Minimal Black Zigzag Modular Bookcase Room Divider, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
Conceived as a minimal and contemporary bookcase to breakup the plane of the wall, this modular system, is versatile as a modern room divider as well as a backdrop in any space, be i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
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
$1,338 / item
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
$3,918 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Tapparelle Sideboard, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, cherry red 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. Ma...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
$11,177 / item
Wall Mounted Console Drawer, Black 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
Poul Cadovius, Shelf Unit, 1968
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Shelf unit - Poul Cadovius - Circa 1968
Midnight blue teak and melamine
3 shelves
Measures: H 190 x L 84 x P 44.
Category
1960s European Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Teak
Black Contemporary Clothes Rack
Located in Geneve, CH
Black contemporary clothes rack
Dimensions: L 46 x W 28 x H 180 cm
Materials: Steel with Powder Coating & Marble.
A beautiful addition to any entrance, hall, or even bedroom y...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble, Steel
$2,643 / item
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in White Washed Oak
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, g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Siam Bookshelf 910 with Celadon 'Plant Not Include', Monkey Pod Wood
By Moonler
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
Totem shelve by Valeric Doubroucinskis for Rodier, 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Totem shelve by Valeric Doubroucinskis for Rodier, 1970s
Rodier - 1970s - Vintage
Measures : 30x44cm H:208cm
Material : Fiberglass
Knitwear shelves specially manufactured for the Rod...
Category
20th Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Fiberglass
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Medium, 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
One of a Kind Custom Emmett Moore Limed Oak Bookcase, USA, 2014
By Emmett Moore 1
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
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in Hague blue lacquer
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
Bronze, Steel
Red Painted Wooden Shelves by Walter Wirz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s , Set of 2
Located in Uccle, BE
Pair of German manufacturing shelves produced by Wilhelm Renz in the 1960s on Walter Wirz project.
Structure in red painted wood.
Good general conditions, small signs and short comin...
Category
1960s German Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Honeycomb shelves by Quinze & Milan, designed by Clive Wilkinson
Located in Oostende, BE
Honeycomb by Quinze & Milan and designer: Clive Wilkinson
Set comprises 1 green module and 2 grey modules. The black module is damaged and is added fo...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Large Walnut and Steel Minimalist Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Large walnut and steel minimalist shelf
Dimensions: L 80 x W 18 x H 12 cm
Materials: Steel W. powder coating, brass plating & walnut MDF.
Also available in black ash MDF and siz...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$552 / item
Into The Woods Bookcase, White (in stock), 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.
The woods are captured by the elegant sh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Brass
Into the Woods Bookcase, Walnut (in stock), 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.
The woods are captured by the elegant sh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Metal
Tapparelle Large Cabinet, Mustard Yellow by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle large cabinet, mustard yellow by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.135, D.46, W.78 cm.
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in sol...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Modern Free-Standing Glass Shelf
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tempered Glass Shelf. 4 glass shelves fit into the curved column cut-outs. Very solid design that sits very well! Columns can be adjusted a bit as to where they sit. 2 Lower shel...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass
Pair of Italian Modern Brass and Chrome Etageres
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Modern etageres.
Brass and chrome frames with clear glass shelves.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Opinion Ciatti Henry III Triangular Wall Shelf Right
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
Wall-Mounted Tidal Shelf in Black 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
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
21st Century Modern Étagère With Copper Structure And Back-painted Glass Shelves
Located in Milan, IT
An essential but rich étagère featuring 3 columns made of copper tubing, each one supporting 4 circular shelves made of back-painted glass. Each colum...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Copper
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Grey Blue 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
Polished Brass Floating Shelves Signed by Chanel Kapitanj, Medium
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished brass floating shelves signed by Chanel Kapitanj
A Minimalist shelving system. Like floating objects on the wall. These thin and aestheti...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Into the Woods Bookcase, Walnut 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, Metal
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Traffic White 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
Black Bookcase - Metal and glass - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Black Bookcase - Metal and glass - 20th
Shelf - Decoration - Clautra
2 glasses with unpolished edges
2 chipped glass tray corners - See Photos
Measures : 90x31,5cmH:183cm
Materials...
Category
20th Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, cherry red by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.115 D.42 W.42 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid o...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
$6,001 / item
Wall Mounted Bedside Drawer, Black 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
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Pure Orange 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, g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
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
Lolah Bar Cabinet by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Lolah bar cabinet by Kenneth Cobonpue
Materials: Rattan, nylon twine, steel, maple.
Dimensions: 50cm x 120cm x H 194.5cm
Created using construction techniques similar to boat-bu...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$7,337 / item
Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
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
AERO shelf, Charcoal Black Monkey Pod Wood
By Moonler
Located in Chiangmai, TH
AERO shelf
-
Moonler’s products are mainly made of Chamchuri Wood (known as Acacia or Monkey Pod) which are solid wood and solid wood is a living material. It may move according to different weather conditions and environment humidity. It is normal for wood to increase and decrease its own dimensions according to the climate. Variations of 1-2% on solid wood table tops...
Category
2010s Thai Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
$6,896 / item
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.