Vintage Space Age furniture captured post–World War II optimism with swooping shapes, bowed lines and experimentation with new materials including plastic and fiberglass.
From the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957 to the landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969, the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States propelled advancements in technology that transformed culture. Space Age design encompassed fashion, architecture, cars, furniture and objects for the home, bringing wonder and hope for the future into everyday life.
Coinciding with Pop art, Space Age style featured bold colors and forms. Eero Aarnio’s Ball chair, which debuted in 1966, used molded fiberglass for a capsule-like space while Verner Panton’s 1959 Panton chair was a single piece of molded plastic for a gravity-defying S shape. Red versions of Olivier Mourgue’s 1964 Djinn chair were futuristic enough to appear on the space station in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Today, Joe Colombo is revered as a master of modern Italian design thanks to the provocative modular furniture pieces he created, such as the Tube chair and the Elda armchair, both of which embody the future-forward spirit of the Space Age.
The Space Age spirit extended to home building too. The futuristic Case Study Houses, which were designed by the likes of Pierre Koenig, Charles and Ray Eames, Richard Neutra and Whitney R. Smith, are considered a high point of modernism and the Southern California lifestyle.
Sometimes the nods to space exploration were more literal, like moon and star motifs or the 1965 Eclisse lamp by Vico Magistretti that saw the mid-century Italian designer integrating a movable inner shade to “eclipse” the light source. Alongside the pioneering moon missions, JVC manufactured the Videosphere portable television reminiscent of the Apollo 11 space helmets.
Although the style faded in the 1970s — with the 1975 joining of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts signaling a new era of cooperation and the global oil crisis impacting the availability of plastics — the era’s innovations influenced designers into the 21st century such as Zaha Hadid and Djivan Schapira.
Find a collection of vintage Space Age seating, tables, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Modern German Space Age Yellow SoftLine Wall Unit by Otto Zapf 1960s
By Otto Zapf
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern German Space Age SoftLine Series Wall Unit Shelf System by Otto Zapf for In Design Zapf, 1960s Very rare wall unit system from the SoftLine series by In Design/Zap...
Metal
Post Modern Space Age Plastic Shelves by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell c. 1970's
By Kartell, Olaf von Bohr
Located in New York, NY
Space Age, Postmodern plastic shelf unit, designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, made in Italy circa 1970's. This example is in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition,...
Plastic
Orba Wall Shelves By Janet Schwietzer For Pace Collection
By Janet Schweitzer, Pace Collection
Located in Hanover, MA
Impressive wall system of extruded polished aluminum incorporating lighting and shelves. Schwietzer's patented design incorporates sophisticated engineering to achieve the appearance of invisible joinery at each cantilevered shelf.
Aluminum
Totem shelve by Valeric Doubroucinskis for Rodier, 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Totem - 1970s - Vintage Measures : 30x44cm H:208cm Material : Fiberglass Knitwear shelves specially manufactured for the Rodier store interiors in the 1970's. Great display for your ...
Fiberglass
Étagère murale Globo Schall und Raum numérotée 449/800
Located in Rouen, FR
Objet à la croisée du design fonctionnel et de la sculpture murale, cette étagère Globo en plastique thermoformé orange est un module mural unique en son genre. Son design géométriqu...
Plastic
Space Age Italian Chrome Plated Steel & Smoke Glass Pair of Wall Mounted Shelves
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking quality and simplicity on this pair of chrome plated steel and .5" thick smoke glass, the side poles unscrew to place in the wall and screw back to cover the screws, the bea...
Chrome
Space Age Vintage Dancing Shelf, circa 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage dancing shelf from tube steel and plexiglass. The dancing shelf features a black lacquered tube steel base and five ( 5 ) plexiglass pl...
Steel
Omnia Wall Unit, Vintage Modular Shelf, Black Wood & Metal, 1970s
By Omnia
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Room divider shelf - Wall Unit 1970' Measures : 148x41cm H:209cm An iconic modular storage system from the Space Age style of the 1970s. Style: The contrast between black wood and sh...
Metal
Pace Collection ORBA System Wall Unit
By Pace Collection, Janet Schweitzer
Located in Hanover, MA
Pace collection ORBA wall system by Janet Schweitzer, 1974. Four extruded highly polished aluminum standards incorporating half inch thick glass s...
Aluminum
$480Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage 1970's Ornapress Modular Wine Rack (4 Elements), Swiss made
Located in Bern, BE
Vintage 1970's Ornapress Modular Wine Rack consisting of four elements. Modules can be assembled vertically or horizontally and added to as required, Swiss made. Contemporary design ...
Acrylic
$4,450 / set
Vintage Boho Wrought Iron Knot Etagere - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a captivating pair of vintage wrought iron etageres, exuding an irresistible Boho aesthetic with their distinctive knot detailing. These striking pieces feature robust wro...
Wrought Iron
Aluminum and Glass Etagere with Five Glass Shelves c. 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural freestanding shelf unit, having an aluminum frame with five glass shelves. This Etagere is reminiscent of the designs of Milo Baughman, Paul Magen etc, it is unsi...
Aluminum
An OPTICAL OP-ART Huge & Thick Transparent LUCITE SHELVING SYSTEM, France, 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and massive wall shelving system, to be fixed on the wall, with curved angles, Space-Age, Post-Modern, Pop, Memphis, Radical, with a base to be fixed on the wall (8 holes are set for the fixing) and 6 large shelves in thick strips of plexiglass, to be attributed, France 1980...
Plexiglass
Etagère murale brutaliste en orme massif, années 1950
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Etagère design brutaliste en orme massif, années 1950, dans le goût d'Olavi Hanninen ou encore de Aranjou. Elégant assemblage par système de goupilles. Bon état vintage : quelques ma...
Wood
$3,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 81.5 in W 42.13 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Wall Units by William Watting for Scanflex, 1960s
By ScanFlex, William Watting
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern modular two-tone wall units or shelving units. Design by William Watting for ScanFlex Holland. Striking Danish/Dutch design from the 1960s. Both wall units...
Beech, Teak
Six Mid-Century Modern Wall Mounted Shelves, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Six stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern wall mounted shelves. Striking Dutch design from the 1970s. Six brown lacquered metal holders in which you can slide six original oak vene...
Metal
$957 / item
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
$957 / item
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Tangerine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the Dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
$876
H 19.69 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Italian Space Age Red Modular Chest of Drawers by Castelli for Kartell, 1970s
By Kartell
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Space Age Red plastic Modular chest of drawers by Anna Castelli for Kartell, 1970s Modular chest of drawers with square base and rounded corne...
Plastic
$2,500
H 36 in W 18.5 in D 8 in
Antique English Pair Bookcases Plate Racks Wall Shelves Hanging Wall Oak 1920-30
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique English Pair of Oak Hanging Bookcases or Plate Racks~~ The perfect decorative accent piece for displaying your favorite Books, Imari, Majolica, Staffordshire or ot...
Oak
1970s Modular Plastic Cabinets by Anna Castelli for Kartell
By Kartell
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Original pair of cylindrical cabinets by Anna Castelli for Kartell, modular with vertical overlap was designed for every room. A true pieces of italian design. The items are in...
Plastic
Burl Wood Thick Glass Shelves 3 Bay Wall Unit
By Pace Collection, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mirror chrome polished stainless steel frame, burl wood cabinets, thick glass shelves Mid-Century Modern wall unit. Secretary drop desk compartment....
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$6,154
H 78 in W 96.6 in D 15.8 in
Poul Cadovius Royal System Teak Modular Wall Unit Danish Mid-Century Modern 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive Danish Mid-Century Modern modular wall unit crafted in warm teak and dating to the 1960s. This versatile wall-mounted system combines generous storage with a functional wo...
Teak
$957 / item
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Nude by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
Janet Schweitzer "Orba" Shelving Units by Pace
By Janet Schweitzer, Pace Collection
Located in Highland, IN
Janet Schweitzer's "Orba" system produced by Pace is an innovative and elegant design. Combining aluminum uprights, glass shelves, and a cabinet clad in rich burled wood, these two s...
Aluminum
Space age thermoformed plastic wall shelves, Belgium, 1970s
By Meurop
Located in Lyon, FR
Striking pair of large wall shelves crafted in Belgium during the 1970s, showcasing the bold, futuristic aesthetic of the Space Age era. These shelves are designed in the style of Me...
Plastic
Space Age Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay Ruggles for Directional
By Directional
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Umbo Space Age modular shelving unit in a molded yellow ABS styled plastic containing 28 pieces making for a large unit . Fitting together like a puzzle with inner pegs you can cre...
Plastic
Sold
H 33.08 in W 5.12 in D 5.91 in
70s Plastic Wall Organizer with Mirror by Makio Hasuike for Gedy, Yellow Hue
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Refine your bathroom decor with the exquisite 1970s Plastic Wall Organizer by Makio Hasuike for Gedy. This vintage piece exudes sophistication, marrying mid-century modern aesthetics...
Glass, Plastic
Umbo Shelving
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
by Kay Leroy Ruggles c. 1970s in great vintage condition with minor scuffing, scratches, and other normal wear
Plaster
Sold
H 109.45 in W 85.44 in D 15.75 in
Modular Shelving System by Michel Ducaroy for Roche Bobois 1970s
By Michel Ducaroy, Roche Bobois
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Purchasing the Modular Shelving System by Michel Ducaroy for Roche Bobois from the 1970s offers exceptional design, quality, and versatility. Michel Ducaroy's timeless design ensures...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 78.75 in W 54.34 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Modular Shelf by Michel Ducaroy for Roche Bobois, France, 1970
By Michel Ducaroy, Roche Bobois
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Purchasing the Vintage Modular Shelf by Michel Ducaroy for Roche Bobois, France, 1970, offers a blend of aesthetic appeal, quality, and investment potential. Michel Ducaroy's design ...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 27.56 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Kartell 'Componibili' Storage Units 4970 by Anna Castelli - 60s Space Age design
By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Step into the retro-futuristic world of Space Age furniture design with this exceptional set of three modular units model 4970 conceived by the renowned Anna Castelli and produced by...
Plastic
Sold
H 27.56 in W 48.43 in D 15.75 in
Philippe Cheverny, elegant smoked plexiglas shelf, KIT DESIGN ed., C.1970
Located in Paris, FR
CHEVERNY Philippe (attr. to) Shelf, KIT Design edition, France, circa 1970 Smocked Plexiglas and metal screws Height 70 x Length 123 x Depth 40 cm Pair available
Plexiglass
Sold
H 51.19 in W 31.5 in D 9.85 in
Pairs of shelves by François Monnet and Joëlle Ferlande for Kappa.
By Kappa, Joelle Ferlande, François Monnet
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Zig-Zag aluminum wall shelves crafted by Joëlle Ferlande and François Monnet for Kappa/Uginox, originating from France in 1970. These shelves offer unparalleled versatility. ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 67 in W 40 in D 10 in
Custom U.T.Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase. 70's Plastic Space age
By Kartell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Custom U. T. Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase/shelving. 1970's Plastic Space age Design ! nOT sure if this was ever produced?? Possibly cus...
Plastic, Wood
Sold
H 57 in W 40 in D 10 in
Custom U.T.Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase. 70's Plastic Spaceage
By Kartell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Custom U. T. Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase/shelving. 1970's Plastic Spaceage Design ! nOT sure if this was ever produced?? Possibly cus...
Plastic, Wood
Sold
H 3.15 in W 26.78 in D 20.48 in
Uten.Silo II in Black by Design M Ingo Maurer Dorothee Becker Design, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer, Design M, Dorothee Maurer-Becker
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Iconic M Design Uten.Silo II designed by Dorothee Becker in the distinctive glossy black variant. This particular version of Uten.Silo II was produced by M Design, which was Ingo Ma...
Plastic