Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

4
to
1
3
1
4
1
1
8
4
2
1
1
1
1
4
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3
3
2
1
1
4
4
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Modern
Color:  Orange
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

Oak, Plywood, Birch

Marc Newson Riga Table in Matte Lacquered Woods for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Marc Newson, the Riga table is a writing desk made of Matte lacquered wood (in all of the colors in the collection) with legs in solid beech wood. The feet and knobs are ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Jumbo Table with Structure in Black Ash, by Paolo Cappello
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jumbo table is a solid looking writing desk designed to meet the challenges of the home office or limited space of bedrooms. A band of metal embraces the top, embellishing its volume...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Modern Small Desk with Orange Lacquered Glass Top and White 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

Related Items
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisbon, PT
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
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash for Home Office
Located in Lisbon, PT
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

Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash for Home Office
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash for Home Office
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 27.56 in
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisbon, PT
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
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak for Home Office
Located in Lisbon, PT
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 Oak for Home Office
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak for Home Office
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 27.56 in
Supernova, Recycled Cast Aluminum Trestle Table Legs & Glass by Made in Ratio
Located in London, GB
The contemporary supernova is a dynamic, self-levelling trestle cast entirely from entirely recycled aluminium in a fully sustainable closed-loop factory. Simple and versatile to ori...
Category

2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisbon, PT
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 Walnut
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Sunset Dining Table, 8 ft, in Dark Walnut by August Abode
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Introducing our artisan-made Sunset Dining Table. A new piece with a timeworn feel--the solid wood top is paired with lathe-turned legs, which taper down to ball feet. The design melds vintage-inspired details with a contemporary scale. Inspired by candle-lit dinners perched atop Lookout Mountain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak
Located in Lisbon, PT
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 Oak
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash
Located in Lisbon, PT
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
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Black Lacquered Wooden and Black Leather Desk with Brass Finishes
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Antique style black lacquered wooden adorned with black leather tray desk or writing table with brass finishes. Full of charm and pratical, by remov...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisbon, PT
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
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Allegory Desk in Beech Wood
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Allegory desk, a perfect handy stand for home office spaces and for the most intimate contract solutions, by the Italian-Danish duo GamFratesi, enriches the furniture proposal of Wiener GTV Design with elegance and simplicity. The wide disk in steam-bent solid beech contains a woven cane screen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
1970s "Cityscape" Executive Desk by Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
1970s Cityscape. Executive desk by Paul Evans.
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Mastercraft Double Pedestal Dining Table or Desk in Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A dining table by Mastercraft comprising two triquetra-shaped pedestals in polished brass over steel. Originally intended as a dining table but could also be used as an executive des...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All