Vintage Space Age furniture captured post–World War II optimism with swooping shapes, bowed lines and experimentation with new materials including plastic and fiberglass.
From the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957 to the landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969, the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States propelled advancements in technology that transformed culture. Space Age design encompassed fashion, architecture, cars, furniture and objects for the home, bringing wonder and hope for the future into everyday life.
Coinciding with Pop art, Space Age style featured bold colors and forms. Eero Aarnio’s Ball chair, which debuted in 1966, used molded fiberglass for a capsule-like space while Verner Panton’s 1959 Panton chair was a single piece of molded plastic for a gravity-defying S shape. Red versions of Olivier Mourgue’s 1964 Djinn chair were futuristic enough to appear on the space station in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Today, Joe Colombo is revered as a master of modern Italian design thanks to the provocative modular furniture pieces he created, such as the Tube chair and the Elda armchair, both of which embody the future-forward spirit of the Space Age.
The Space Age spirit extended to home building too. The futuristic Case Study Houses, which were designed by the likes of Pierre Koenig, Charles and Ray Eames, Richard Neutra and Whitney R. Smith, are considered a high point of modernism and the Southern California lifestyle.
Sometimes the nods to space exploration were more literal, like moon and star motifs or the 1965 Eclisse lamp by Vico Magistretti that saw the mid-century Italian designer integrating a movable inner shade to “eclipse” the light source. Alongside the pioneering moon missions, JVC manufactured the Videosphere portable television reminiscent of the Apollo 11 space helmets.
Although the style faded in the 1970s — with the 1975 joining of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts signaling a new era of cooperation and the global oil crisis impacting the availability of plastics — the era’s innovations influenced designers into the 21st century such as Zaha Hadid and Djivan Schapira.
Find a collection of vintage Space Age seating, tables, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Space Age Vintage Red Plastic Traytable Gueridon Luigi Massoni Guzzini Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage plastic tray table or gueridon or foldable breakfast table model Pepito designed by Luigi Massoni Grafico Studio Zeto for Guzzi...
Plastic
Space Age Vintage Foldable Ivory Plastic Table Luigi Massoni Guzzini 1970s Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage ivory foldable tray or table from plastic designed by Luigi Massoni Grafico Studio Zeto for Guzzini 1970s Italy. This foldable tray table is very useful as a breakf...
Plastic
$530
H 9.06 in W 24.02 in D 13.78 in
Luigi Massoni Minimalist Plastic White Bed Tray Element by Guzzini, Italy, 1980s
By Guzzini, Luigi Massoni
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Plastic tray Design: Luigi Massoni Producer: Guzzini, Italy Decade: 1980s Description: This tray table was designed by Luigi Massoni and produced by Guzzini in Italy in the 1980s. It is made from white-colored plastic and is in very good vintage condition, and would be ideal to serve breakfast in bed. It still features the original Guzzini box...
Plastic
Space Age Cooffe Table 1970s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Space Age Cooffe Table 1970s
Chrome
$930
H 0.99 in W 19.3 in D 11.42 in
Mid-century Lucite and Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-century Lucite and brass serving tray by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s Intact and in good condition. Width 49 cm Depth 29 cm Height 2.5 cm
Brass
Unusual Italian Gueridon with Moulded Glass Top
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Italian gueridon with moulded glass top and decorative ring on top.
Brass
$1,119
H 22.45 in W 25.2 in D 19.3 in
French Midcentury Bamboo Folding Tray Table, Lacquered Wood, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
French Midcentury Bamboo Folding Tray Table, Lacquered Wood, 1970s Beautiful side table with removable tray, made in France in the 1950s. The tray and table legs are made of lacquer...
Bamboo, Wicker
$650Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.87 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Space Age Orange Plastic Mobile Bar Trolley Table Made in Italy, 1970s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A charming blend of form and function, this vintage bar cart from the 1970s stands as a testament to Italy’s renowned design legacy. Fashioned from a beautiful warm-toned orange pla...
Plastic
Italian Gueridon Marquetry Tripod Table
Located in East Aurora, NY
An exceptionally nice Walnut octagon marquetry tripod table. The Marquetry design on the top, base, and legs are constructed of mixed hardwoods. The original surface has a great age...
Wood
Space Age Coffee Table 1970s
Located in København, København
Vintage French "Space Age" chrome coffee table with smoke colored glass table top. The chic 1970s table has a "log" like base and is in very good condition with wear according to age...
Chrome
Vintage Italian Space Age Plastic Bar Trolley, Orange, 1970s, 47cm
Located in Vienna, AT
Striking vintage plastic bar cart from the 1970s, a true testament to Italys iconic design era. Crafted in bold orange plastic, this circular trolley features two spacious shelves supported by three sturdy legs, offering both function and style. Its compact size (47 cm in diameter, 53 cm in height) makes it the perfect addition to any room, whether youre using it as a serving cart or a quirky side table. This mid-century piece is as practical as it is eye-catching, with smooth-rolling swivel wheels that allow for easy mobility. Whether youre hosting guests or simply want a stylish way to display your favorite drinks, this trolley is a versatile and playful addition to your space. The sleek, circular design embodies the best of 70s Space Age aesthetics, making it a standout in any retro, eclectic, or contemporary decor. The vibrant orange color exudes a playful energy that is sure to bring a pop of personality into Perfect for vintage enthusiasts or anyone looking to add a fun, functional piece to their home decor, this 70s bar...
Plastic
$422Sale Price|19% Off
H 37.41 in Dm 11.82 in
Round Italian Gueridon Made in Italy 1970 Brass and Glass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Italian Gueridon Made in Italy 1970 Brass and Glass
Brass
Luigi Massoni Italian Midcentury Trolley Bar for Guzzini, 1970's
By Luigi Massoni, Guzzini
Located in Lisboa, PT
This trolley was designed by Luigi Massoni for Guzzini, in Italy during the 1970's. The trolley features two trays, made of off-white plastic. The two removable circular trays sit within the triangular structures with white wheels. The trays have a diameter of 56 centimeters. One wheel...
Plastic
Gueridon
Located in London, England
French mahogany Empire style marble top gueridon. Circa 1920
Marble
Space Age Red Vintage Side Table by Opal, Germany, 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
A round shaped two-tiered red vintage side table made of dark red lacquered plywood, which shows 2 round glass plates and 4 wheels. The vintage condition is very good with signs of ...
Glass, Plywood