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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Remix Vol 5. Bookshelf, Limited Edition by Belén Moneo
By Belén Moneo
Located in Geneve, CH
REmix vol 5. bookshelf, Limited Edition by Belén Moneo
Limited to 3 Units
Dimensions: 150 x 37 x H 150 cm
Materials: varnished beech wood columns. Transparent methacrylate shelves...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass, Wood
A-Symmetry, Brown Marble Side Table, Frédéric Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
A-symmetry, a brown marble side table by Fre´de´ric Saulou.
Materials: Marble granite, massif oak stained.
Dimensions: 55 x 30 x 24 cm.
Edit...
Category
2010s French Modern Shelves
Materials
Granite
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
Fläpps Shelf-1 - Alps by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf Fading Grey by Monika Strigel
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, White
Located in Berlin, BE
Fifteen folders standing upright or more than two opened folders lying, is what you can expect from a wall board that boasts a length of 100 cm. Not to mention the many books it can ...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Tapparelle Wheels Cabinet, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle wheels cabinet, cherry red by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.55 D.40 W.40 cm
Materials: Container on wheels with plinth and “tapparella” sliding shutter...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass, Oak
Tapparelle Large Cabinet, Black by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Large Cabinet, Black by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.135, D.46, W.78 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak.
Ma...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Fläpps Shelf, Wild and Free by Ingrid Beddoes
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf-1 - Vallunaraju by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 40x40-1 Bubbles Indigo by Pattern Studio
Located in Berlin, BE
The Small One
Perfectly Square. Fits anywhere - even in the smallest shelf system. This is the perfect hallway shelf, night table, vase holder or cookbook shelf. There when you ne...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Sunrise by Joa Herrenknecht
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Blue / Gray by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Lacquered in Blue / Gray by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.60, D.60, W.22 cm
Materials: Container with “tapparel...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
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
Zic-Zac Shelf by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede
Located in Geneve, CH
Zic-zac shelf by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede
Signed, Limited edition
Dimensions: L 82 x W 13 x H 24 cm
Materials: Plywood of oak and walnut
Measurements:
Minimum: 82 cm long.
...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Flapps Shelf, 1 - Watercolor Stripes by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 80x27-1 - PS Collage 3 by Pattern Studio
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
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
Pair of Transitional Mahogany Étagères
Located in Westwood, NJ
Transitional mahogany Étagère, a wonderful large wooden bookcase or room divider fitting in perfectly with any modern or traditional decor.
With a traditional molded cornice top, f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Tall 'Horizontale' Black Steel and Oak Shelving Unit by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall 'Horizontale' black steel and oak shelving unit / bookcase by Design Frères.
Polished and sealed white oak shelves interspaced with black ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Fläpps Shelf-1 - PS Collage 3 by Pattern Studio
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf-1 - Watercolor Stripes by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Puerto Natales by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 40x40-1 - Watercolor Stripes by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The Small One
Perfectly Square. Fits anywhere - even in the smallest shelf system. This is the perfect hallway shelf, night table, vase holder or cookb...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf-1 - Wild and Free by Ingrid Beddoes
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf Puerto Natales by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Small One
Perfectly Square. Fits anywhere - even in the smallest shelf system. This is the perfect hallway shelf, night table, vase holder or cook...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf-1 - Alps by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf-2 - Black
Located in Berlin, BE
The Double Slima
Take away the frame and give your favourite books plenty of space. For docking to its fellow shelving units.
Dimensions:
closed: 80 x 40 x 2 cm + 1 cm wall mo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 80x27-1 - Black
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
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
Set of 2, Libra Shelves 60 by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Libra shelves 60 by Colé Italia with Martinelli/Venezia
Dimensions: H.42 D.20 W.55 cm
Materials: Shaped solid oak wall shelf; black lacquered iron stirrups
Also availa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Small Silver Contemporary Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Small silver Contemporary shelf
Dimensions: L 40.4 x W 25.3 x H 12 cm
Materials: Steel.
Also available in black and gold.
It is not always ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, Blue / Gray by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle medium cabinet, blue / gray 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
Fläpps Shelf, Watercolor Dots by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Bubbles Indigo by Pattern Studio
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf1 - Fading Grey by Monika Strigel
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Watercolor Dots by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The small one
Perfectly Square. Fits anywhere - even in the smallest shelf system. This is the perfect hallway shelf, night table, vase holder or cookbook shelf. There when you ne...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 40x40-1 - Fading Grey by Monika Strigel
Located in Berlin, BE
The Small One
Perfectly Square. Fits anywhere - even in the smallest shelf system. This is the perfect hallway shelf, night table, vase holder or cookb...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Puerto Natales by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 40x40-1 - Snowdreamer by Monika Strigel
Located in Berlin, BE
The Small One
Perfectly Square. Fits anywhere - even in the smallest shelf system. This is the perfect hallway shelf, night table, vase holder or cookb...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Fading Grey by Monika Strigel
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 60x40-1 - Bubbles Indigo by Pattern Studio
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fläpps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectly ...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Vallunaraju by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 60x40-1 - PS Collage 3 by Pattern Studio
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fläpps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectly ...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf-1 - Watercolor Dots by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf Watercolor Dots by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The Midsized
The midsized Fla¨pps Wall shelf adheres to standards. Kept in 3:2 format it gets on well with photographers critical eyes. With its narrow 60cm it harmonizes perfectl...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 80x27-1 - Snowdreamer by Monika Strigel
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Watercolor Stripes by Kind of Style
Located in Berlin, BE
The slim one
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf, Bubbles Indigo by Pattern Studio
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 40x40-1 - Sunrise by Joa Herrenknecht
Located in Berlin, BE
The Small One
Perfectly Square. Fits anywhere - even in the smallest shelf system. This is the perfect hallway shelf, night table, vase holder or cookbook shelf. There when you ne...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Shelf 80x27-1 - Puerto Natales by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
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
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
Kartell Sundial Modular Bookcase in Crystal and White by Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sundial is the bookcase whose dividing elements, placed in different directions, create a game of unexpected and original proportions.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Resin
Fläpps Shelf 80x27-1 - Wild and Free by Ingrid Beddoes
Located in Berlin, BE
The Slim One
Embrace compact living with the smallest solution in the Fläpps range. Just 27 cm high, it fits under the lowest of ceilings and the narrowest of hallways. For booklo...
Category
2010s German Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 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
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
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
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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