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Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Large Bespoke Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large beetroot color study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk has two steel dra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Modern Italian Desk by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and architectural desk designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and modern sensibility that define Italian design. This sleek piece f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Small Burgundy Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top & Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This small study desk is made with a beetroot powder-coated steel frame and a burgundy coloured natural linoleum tabletop. The linoleum for our desks is selected for the ecological p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jacques Pine Green Console Table in Bird's Eye Maple by Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Designed with the aim to find the perfect balance between clean lines and warm texture. Consisting of 5 rounded, 50 mm thick slats with bird’s eye maple veneer, the console table is ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple

Belgian Leather and Metal Desk
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Our Belgian Leather Desk, a seamless blend of craftsmanship and modern minimalism, this desk features a vegetable-tanned leather top, meticulously inlaid on a sleek steel base. The s...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

The Chiquita desk with 8 drawers in Brazilian sollid wood
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita desk features smooth and delicate lines. In this version, it has 8 drawers with natural cane fronts and brass handles, giving it a nostalgic and romantic touch. Availabl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

The Bi Writing Desk. Handcrafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia wood.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Bi writing desk brings modernity and lightness combined with a classic touch. It's crafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia woods and features a movable storage compartment that c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Walnut Orange MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi table creates a slender, graceful profile punctuated with painted surfaces that ca...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Oak, Plywood

Contemporary Sitting Standing "Work" Desk in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
Work desk is the smaller sibling of our WORK table, a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries. The choice of materials combine...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

Handcrafted English Desk
Located in London, GB
A totally unique handcrafted modernist desk designed and made in England by our craftspeople using traditional woodworking and cabinetry techniques. The beautifully figured surface i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Contemporary Trestle Table "Work" in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie USA
Located in Chicago, IL
Introduced in 2016, WORK table is a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries. The table has height adjustable trestles...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

Jacques Terracotta Red Console Table in Bird's Eye Maple by Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Designed with the aim to find the perfect balance between clean lines and warm texture. Consisting of 5 rounded, 50 mm thick slats with bird’s eye maple veneer, the console table is ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple

Dante Writing Desk by Daytona
Located in Milan, IT
Refined elegance and a classic design characterize the Dante Writing Desk. With a structure in plywood covered in a dark walnut veneer and a solid walnut base with a brushed gloss fi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Handcrafted English Oak Desk Console
Located in London, GB
Our larger handcrafted modernist wall mounted oak desk/vanity or console table designed and handmade in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Leather

Maple Parallel Desk by Juntos Projects
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Parallel desk is built around two suspended horizontal slabs that create an expansive workspace. The structure is anchored by cross-shaped legs that pierce through the top and fr...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Four Drawer Butternut Study Desk with Linoleum Top - Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
The four-drawer Study desk is made with a butternut powder-coated steel frame and a pearl-coloured natural linoleum tabletop. The linoleum for our desks is selected for the ecologica...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Modern Mismatch Dining Table, Solid Oak, Brass Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Mismatch Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Mismatch seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Xitle Desk with 2 Drawers
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern furniture...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Venezia Rialto Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
Effortlessly enriching any modern interior - from a conference room, office, home study - this sculptural piece will create a timeless and elegant focal point. Entirely crafted of wo...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Enso Desk in Wood by Neal Aronowitz
Located in Portland, OR
Enso Desk Designed and made in Portland, Oregon The Enso Desk draws inspiration from the disciplined creative practice of Japanese ink painting. Conceived in a single, fluid, and spo...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

EPIC Metal Desk by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
EPIC metal desks semi-circle embodies power and confidence. The finishes consist of a Handcrafted textured aged brass front center leg and three drawer fronts and a black bronze steel top and outer legs. Customization available upon request. Featured in Elle Decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Large L Shape Customizable Contemporary Corner Study Desk
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
A beautiful large L Shaped Study desk made with a deep burgundy powder-coated steel frame and a colour matched linoleum top made from all-natural ingredients, such as flax, wood flou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk or Writing Table Geometric Glass Crystal Collectible Design Handmade Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The executive desk 'Origami' is made of extra-clear crystal glass. Each sheet of extra-clear crystal glass is cut and ground with extreme precision, then the sheets are assembled by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Extraordinary Pierre Jeanneret Library Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are very pleased to present this exceptional and rare Pierre Jeanneret illuminated reading table with provenance from DAV (Dayanand Anglo-Vedic) College Chandigarh which was built...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Bagutta writing desk by Annig Sarian for Arflex - Italy - 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Small desk with three drawers, wooden frame and chromed and curved tubular metal supports. The desk has a slight defect on one side, as shown in the photo. Manufactured by Arlex, It...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Kartell Earl of Wood Desk by Philippe Stark in Light Wood and Chrome Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Earl of wood is a simple new desk with a curved wooden surface, offering the perfect solution to the Office and Habitat worlds on account of its myriad diffe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Oscar Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
A remarkable piece of refined taste, this splendid writing desk with 3 drawers and push pull blumotion expertly combines tradition with modernity. The fabulous design of the new Osca...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Silver Leaf

Oscar Writing Desk
Oscar Writing Desk
$7,245 / item
Modern Silhueta Console Table Carrara Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Silhueta console, Modern Collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Inspired by the organic shapes and lean silhouettes, this console adds a modern touch to every li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Brass

Large L Shape Customizable Contemporary Corner Study Desk
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
A beautiful large L Shaped Study desk made with a butternut powder-coated steel frame and a beige linoleum top. The furniture linoleum provides a natural satin matt surface made from...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Bespoke Modernist Tubular Steel Table in Chromed Metal and Glossy Lacquered Wood
Located in Berlin, DE
Bespoke modernist tubular writing table made of chrome plated tubular steel and lacquered wood.
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

French Marcello Desk in Blue Lacquer, Glass, and Brass by Joris Poggioli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ultra-glam statement-making desk in glossy blue lacquer, with glass base, brass accents, and velvet and MDF drawers by French designer Joris Poggioli. I...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

'005' Palm Wood and Metal Desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
'005' Palm Wood and Metal Desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau Handcrafted in the Los Angeles and French workshops of noted French designer a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Bespoke Executive Metal Desk, Lacquered Steel, Walnut Veneer, Industrial Design
Located in Berlin, DE
Industrial design executive metal desk, customizable. The desk is made of lacquered steel, aluminum, walnut veneer.
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

White Kidney Shaped Desk, Gesso, Antique Mirror Top
Located in Miami, FL
White kidney shaped desk with Gesso finish. The top is antiqued mirror glass. Ready for a new home.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Wood

The Chiquita Desk. Brazilian Solid Wood and Natural Straws.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita writing desk features smooth and delicate lines, with 4 drawers featuring fronts made of natural wicker and brass handles that impart a nostalgic and romantic feel to th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Straw, Wood

The Square Desk. Brazilian Solid Wood Writing Table Design by Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Square Desk was inspired by the design of Brazilian modern furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, featuring straight lines and Indian straw weaving. It's delicate and highly comfort...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Straw, Wood

Organic Modern Pontes Desk, Green Marble Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pontes Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Pontes ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Kaare Klint Mahogany Desk with Pull-Out Writing Surfaces, Designed 1949
Located in Kastrup, DK
Writing desk by Kaare Klint, crafted in mahogany with a profiled edge on the tabletop and an apron with three drawers: a wide central drawer flanked by two smaller drawers, each equi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

"Volpi" writing desk with drawer in natural Brazilian wood, office table
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Alfredo Volpi is a Brazilian painter who, throughout his career, experimented with geometric shapes, especially variations on flag shapes. The Volpi desk is inspired by the geometric...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Modern Arco da Augusta Console Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Arco da Augusta Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Inspired by Lisbon's historical arch and as a homage to the Portuguese architecture...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Steel

Oslo Writing Desk in Ash by Studio Moe
Located in Portland, OR
Look to the clean lines and natural keep-it-simple design of the Oslo Writing Desk, to bring inspiration to your next idea or project. A single spacious dovetailed drawer provides ut...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash

Contemporary Desk 'Ernest' by Obstacles, Solid Oak, Umber
Located in Paris, IDF
'Ernest' Desk designed by Studio Obstacles in collaboration with Spanish artist Yoyo Balagué. Dimensions: W. 240 x L. 80 x H. 74 cm W.94.49 x L.31.50 x H.29.13 in Wood finishes: Na...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

Herringbone Waterfall Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Herringbone Waterfall Desk, create a serene space for work and moments of reflection with this parsons style desk, engaging the senses with its fluid f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Noir Ebonized Walnut Modern Truss Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sleek sophisticated mixed media modern desk handcrafted of minimalist finished metal , curved legs and walnut drawers. From the Layla Grayce Noir Truss Collection. Comes with custom...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Light Oak Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
With its rounded subtle barrel-shaped top with alternating quarter straight cut oak veneers stands squarely on solid trapezoid-style legs. The facing two drawers have adequate enough...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Customizable Desk/Vanity In Matte Walnut with Ottoman In Chocolate Velvet
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This minimalist desk and accompanying ottoman offer a functional and adaptable solution for various interior applications. The desk features a robust wood construction for its top su...
Category

2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Xiitle Desk Small
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern furniture...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

"Xilte" Desk
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern furniture...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

"Xilte" Desk
"Xilte" Desk
$4,900 / item
Glass, Painted wood & Chrome Plated Metal 1990s desk by Gallotti e Radice
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Minimal Desk with wheeled chest of drawers in white lacquered wood, thick cut glass and chrome plated metal. Minimal and elegant Desk with chest of drawers on wheels in white lacqu...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Simply Modern Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An elegant modern writing table with three singular leather wrapped drawers, our Cardamon finish on the veneered frame (and handles) with panel en...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Philipp Plein office brown desk in split leather with a crocodile skin effect
Located in Oirlo, LI
In a luxurious penthouse, nestled in the heart of a bustling city, stood a desk unlike any other. It was the creation of Philipp Plein, a designer whose name was synonymous with bo...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Industrial Modern Wrought Iron Tilt Top Drafting Desk / Table
By Jorge A. Marien
Located in East Freetown, MA
Extraordinary modern wrought iron and glass tilt top drafting desk/table. Glass top is framed by wrought iron and tilts when the steampunk style handles are loosened. Table can be used as a dining or large entrance table.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Central Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Scrivania Anni '80 Stile 'Quaderna'
Located in Milano, IT
Grande scrivania vintage con piano rettangolare, cassetti e vani contenitori con finitura in laminato a quadratini nello stile dei celebri arredi firmati Zanotta.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate

G.15 Desk / Natural Walnut with Lacquer by Lusano
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Grant Desk is a study in proportion, where workspace becomes sculpture. A waterfall silhouette defines its form, punctuated by subtle notch detailing. Beneath, three satin lacque...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Modern Home Office Writing Desk in High-Gloss Ironwood and Gold Lacquered Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The "Fifties Home Desk" is crafted from high-gloss ironwood and gold lacquered steel. We also offer a range of customization options to suit your style: - Choose from a selection ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cut Steel, Metal, Steel

FIJN Desk in Solid Black Walnut
Located in Calgary, CA
Our FIJN desk is handcrafted in solid wood. Both desks pictured were built in figured Oregon black walnut. Solid wood drawers are lined in leather and inserts can be customized to su...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

21st Century Modern Desk In Copper And Wood With Rotating Glass Extension
Located in Milan, IT
An original desk with a wooden top and a glass extension that can rotate around a central pivoting point, like the hand of a clock. This allows the table to expand and contract its usable surface and to adapt to different uses: a dedicated support for a printer or other peripherals, a smaller desk for an additional person or simply more tabletop space. Both tops are supported by a light and essential structure made of copper tubing...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Rare Solid Mexican Cocobolo Wood Desk Don Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bespoken and rare desk by celebrated Mexican designer and woodworker Don Shoemaker, model no F46. Designed in 1970s and executed in 1981, the desk is constructed with patchwork of ...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cocobolo

Executive Waterfall Metal Desk With Roll Container, Plated Metal, Glossy Lacquer
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist executive waterfall metal desk. High-quality metal construction finisher in glossy metallic painting. Available in different finishes and dimensions on request. Production ...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Kidney Shaped Desk in Walnut by Jonathan Field
Located in London, GB
The kidney-shaped desk in solid walnut was designed and made for a client's bay window home study; it has three main drawers of different depths that run on fully extendable Blum run...
Category

2010s English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Marco Zanuso Jr., Finn Juhl, Greenapple, and Elena Salmistraro. 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $205 and tops out at $76,270 while the average work can sell for $6,480.

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