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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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
Wooden dressing table / writing desk - Italy, 1940s
Located in London, GB
A simple wooden writing desk or dressing table with a drawer to the front, enhanced by the interesting jointwork and visible grain. There is a wooden lip at the edge of the working s...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Italian Executive Frau Desk " Artu' President Desk" by Michele De Lucchi, 2006
Located in Traversetolo, IT
A studied and flexible system for furnishing management offices, meeting and board rooms. Artù uses high quality leather and wood,
handcrafted with typical Poltrona Frau quality and...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
"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
Molteni&C Touchdown Workstation Desk by Studio Klass
Located in Boston, MA
Touch Down Unit, an innovative workstation designed by Studio Klass and originally thought for advanced work environments and produced by UniFor has become part of the Molteni&C coll...
Category
2010s Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Lucite and Dark Walnut floating Desk
Located in Ballard, CA
A highly engineered modernist desk made from a walnut (or oak, mahogany, or rosewood veneer) case “floating” on a Lucite base, which is affixed by custom-designed hardware. Custom si...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Molteni&C D.847.1 Ash Wood Desk by Gio Ponti
By Molteni & C, Gio Ponti
Located in Boston, MA
A Molteni&C exclusive has given new life to Gio Ponti's table which was originally designed 70 years ago. Thanks to dedicated craftsmanship, this signature piece has been reproduced ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Xiitle Desk Small
By ADN Studio
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
Modern Toscana Vanity Table Oak Beige Leather Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Toscana Vanity Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The organic modern Toscana vanity table is a captivating blend of natural beauty and c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Giorgetti Ion Executive Walnut Leather Desk Designed by Chi Wing Lo
Located in Boston, MA
Designed by Chi Wing Lo
This writing desk in walnut Canaletto wood and saddle leather harks back to the lightness and elegance of an Ionic column.
A versatile and practical product...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Leather, 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
Handcrafted English Oak Desk
Located in London, GB
A new freestanding modern English oak desk design. Designed and handmade in England using skilled traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from the finest full...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Ángulo Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte electrostatic paint.
The Angulo Desk was...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
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
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
Coastal Breeze Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
handcrafted wire-brushed cerused pine in a light and subdued Sea Salt finish, the desk displays three functional drawers with organic ribbed metal knobs in our Dark Sterling finish a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Bespoke Modernist Tubular Steel Table in Chromed Metal and Glossy Lacquered Wood
By GMD Berlin
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
Oak Natur Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Natur Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 160 x D 80 x H 75 cm
Materials: Oak Natur, Black Metal.
F...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Green Marble Scapin Collezioni
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Red Marble Scapin Collezioni
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Italian Modern Dining Table by Paolo Buffa, circa 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Italian Design dining table by Paolo Buffa
Material : Oak wood
Dimensions : H 80 x 180 x 82 cm
Year : Circa 1940
A rare piece made in t...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Calen Desk by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Calen desk by Madheke.
Dimensions: D 90 x W 210 x H 78.5 cm.
Materials: leather, wood, veneer, metal.
Classic leather front and upper, dead matte veneer, bronzed metal detailing...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Transitional Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Stardust Transitional desk, for moments of reflection, this desk adds a note of glamour in our pearlescent Stardust finish. Platinum-striped beading ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
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
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
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Pegaso Writing Desk Walnut Wood with Leather
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Writing desk in Canaletta walnut with large drawer with push and pull mechanism, small drawers with metal handles in the upper part. Legs in solid wood in Canaletta walnut tone.
Top ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash for Home Office
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure. Front desk is available in ash, oak and walnut...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Oak
Modern Armona Dining Table, American Oak, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Jacques Pastel Pink Dining Table in Bird's Eye Maple by Fred&Juul
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 dining or coffee ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak for Home Office
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure. Front desk is available in ash, oak and walnut...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Wood, Plywood
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Modern French Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French two drawer desk with our Rowan beech veneer finish, embossed leather wrapped frieze and drawers with brushed brass finish handles.
Dimensions: 54" W x 28" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut for Home or Office
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure. Front desk is available in ash, oak and walnut...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood, Walnut, Wood
Wall Mounted Sit/Stand Desk "Muro" in Oak and Stainless Steel by Casey Lurie
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall anchored stainless steel rails support three wood shelves of varying depths. Each shelf serves a different function: shallow for small objects and pictures, medium for books and larger objects...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Sculptural Green Wood Segment Desk by David Vu - Customizable
By David Vu
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Taking inspiration from the conceptual forms of Hiroshi Sugimoto, the Segment desk by Brooklyn designer David Vu starts with the exploration of simple geo...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Plywood
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Modern Shagreen Leather Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern shagreen embossed leather-wrapped desk with a brass tone iron-framed base. Three drawers with marbleized paper-lined interiors and with brass ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Wood, Plywood
Modern Arco da Augusta Console Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By 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
Famed Brass & Wood Desk with Marble Drawers
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The Famed Desk was designed with the aim of allowing you to work with more elegance and more simplicity.
Measures: Length: 47.2'' / Depth: 27.5'' / Height:...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
Gervasoni Gray 50 Writing Desk in Air Force Blue Lacquered Oak by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
When a house becomes a space for thinking, creating and working, as well as for living, desks take on a whole new dimension: Gray 50 is a small elegant desk, designed in the name of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Burgundy Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top and Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This 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 propert...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
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 end supports and brushed brass finish ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Venezia Rialto Writing Desk
By Morici
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
Walnut Writing Desk with Drawers, Made in Italy
By Riva 1920
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Writing desk made completely of solid walnut. The drawers are assembled with dovetail joints (includes 2 top drawers and 3 drawers under the desk). This writing desk is characterized by an “X” joint...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Contemporary Sitting Standing "Work" Desk in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie, USA
By Casey Lurie
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
Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss
Located in Riga, LV
Refined elegance and classic design characterize the Kanttari Writing Desk. The definition of rich furniture design, this beautiful writing desk is handmade with soft to touch black ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak 160x80 cm
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Wood, Plywood
"Xilte" Desk
By ADN Studio
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
Gervasoni Writing Desk in Black Lacquer with Wooden Feet by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
When a house becomes a space for thinking, creating and working, as well as for living, desks take on a whole new dimension: LC 60 is an elegant desk of rather small dimensions, desi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Modern Small Desk with Grey Onyx Top and Black Frame, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2)
Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer.
The top is made of Grey onyx...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Walnut Brass Onyx, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Armona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Cartesio Writing Desk in Ebony
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Writing desk made with a mix of raw materials: wood, leather, stainless steel and glass. Drawers in curved plywood, with a Makassar ebony finishing, equipped with drawers with full-e...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ebony
Utopia Desk, Cream Oak and Polished Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The utopia desk is designed in the likeness of the architectural scale that suggests a crossing through the structures of a utopian city, organized by the principles of symmetry and ideal forms.
The imposing design combines cream oak and polished brass. As a futuristic project, two brass blades stylize the cream oak top, curving it with an Avant Garde detail. Surprisingly, a pencil drawer is hidden in one brass blade. At the base, the open shape of two blocks suggests a passage between two identical metal arches...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Modern Small Desk with Brown Lacquered Glass Top and Black Frame, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2)
Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer.
The top is made of 8 mm thick ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
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.