Scandinavian Modern Furniture
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
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; influenced American mid-century modernism
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
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
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.
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Teak
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass, Iron
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Pine
1970s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Birch, Oak
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Metal, Iron, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Birch, Elm, Mahogany, Oak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Pewter
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Glass, Art Glass
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Walnut
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wool, Bouclé, Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wool, Oak, Sheepskin
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Oak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Elm
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Birch, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Rosewood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Oak, Mohair, Velvet
1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Blown Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Stoneware
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Cowhide, Birch
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Birch, Plywood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wool, Oak
1940s European Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Glass, Birch, Bentwood
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Beech
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Upholstery, Oak
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century Czech Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary British Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Mirror, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Crystal, Brass
2010s Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wool
2010s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Metal
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wood, Ash
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Leather, Oak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Metal
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
1930s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Pewter
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Metal, Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Wool
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Walnut
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Upholstery, Foam, Walnut
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Fabric, Birch
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Textile, Wood
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Fabric, Pine
1960s German Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Raffia, Plastic, Walnut
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Metal, Brass
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Brass
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Sheepskin, Wood
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Glass, Beech, Mahogany
1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Birch