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Scandinavian Modern Furniture

SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE

Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.

ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
  • Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
  • Open, airy spaces
  • Promotion of functionality
  • Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
  • Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
  • A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods

SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.

Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.

Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.

The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak

Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.

Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.

On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries. 

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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Creator: Børge Mogensen
Creator: Fog and Morup
Børge Mogensen Chairs Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of chairs designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Pine

Dining Table / Desk in Teak and Steel by Børge Mogensen, 1953
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Dining Table / Desk in Teak and Steel by Børge Mogensen, 1953 Additional Information: Material: Teak and steel Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Søborg møbler in Denmark D...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Børge Mogensen Armchairs / Chairs Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of armchairs / chairs designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden. Dimensions armchairs (W x D x H): 61.5 x 50 x 77.5 cm, SH 43 cm Dimensions chairs (W x ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Pine

Børge Mogensen Armchair Produced by Søborg Møbelfabrik in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare armchair designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Søborg Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Danish Modern Børge Mogensen Oak Lounge Chair for Fredericia Stolefabrik, c. 197
Located in Sacramento, CA
This Danish Modern Børge Mogensen oak lounge Chair, produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik around 1970, epitomizes the simplicity and functionality of Scandinavian design. With its clean...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Børge Mogensen Side Table Model 149 Produced by Søborg Møbelfabrik in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare side table model 149 designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Søborg møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Scandinavian Modern Teak Console Cabinet by Borge Mogensen
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A simple, elegant cabinet designed by Børge Mogensen for CM Madsen cabinetmaker. Oiled teak exterior with brass handles, lacquered beechwood interior with shelves and pull out organ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Beech, Teak

Børge Mogensen Console / Library Table by Erhard Rasmussen in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare console / library table designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Erhard Rasmussen in Denmark.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Pine

Børge Mogensen Easy Chairs and Side Tables Produced by Søborg Møbler
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of easy chairs and side tables designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced by Søborg Møbler in Denmark. Dimensions chairs (W x D x H): 60,5 x 95 x 87 cm, SH: 36 cm. Dimensions ta...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Beech

Borge Mogensen Kupe Sofa
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Melt into this extremely comfortable two seat sofa designed by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia furniture. Known as the Kupe sofa. This two seater was recently restored in a soft supple...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Borge Mogensen Model 201 Sofa in Original Wool for Fredericia, Denmark, 1955
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Classic and beautiful Danish three-seater Model 201 sofa designed in 1955 by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia A/S, Denmark. This ultra-comfortable sofa was the first piece of many that ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Oak

Pair of Danish "Orient" Table Lamps in Gold by Jo Hammerborg for Fog & Morup
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A pair of rare, gold-plated E7188 "Orient" table lamps by Jo Hammerborg for Fog and Morup. From Fog and Morup's limited "Golden Line" gold plated series, these lamps were made in ...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate

Børge Mogensen The Canvas Chair - Smoked oiled oak/Black Canvas for Fredericia
Located in Dubai, AE
The Canvas chair exemplifies Børge Mogensen’s talent for functionally-driven designs with a focus on simple forms that capture the essence of an idea. With nothing to add or subtract...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Oak

2021 BM0949P Contour Lounge Chair by Borge Mogensen for Carl Hansen in Oak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a BM0949P Contour lounge chair with a solid oiled oak frame and black Loke 7150 leather seat. The chair was designed by Borge Mogensen and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in De...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Oak

2021 BM0949P Contour Lounge Chair by Borge Mogensen for Carl Hansen in Walnut
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a BM0949P Contour lounge chair with a solid oiled walnut frame and black Loke 7150 leather seat. The chair was designed by Borge Mogensen and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Oak

Scandinavian Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, lighting, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Hans J. Wegner, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Rörstrand, and Rug & Kilim. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12 and tops out at $350,000 while the average work can sell for $2,339.

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