Industrial and Work Tables
19th Century Scandinavian Other Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine, Paint
1830s English William IV Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Softwood, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Other Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century French Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Resin, Lacquer, Teak
19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Rosewood
Early 19th Century French Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
1930s Italian Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
19th Century Italian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Leather, Boxwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary English Post-Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
1920s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Elm, Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Birdseye Maple
1950s Danish Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Beech
Mid-20th Century Spanish Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
1950s Czech Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
1930s Czech Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
1860s Mexican Spanish Colonial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
1870s French Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Spanish Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century Spanish Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Leather, Maple, Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Cherry
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Fruitwood
Early 1800s English George III Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Marble
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Brass, Copper
19th Century French Country Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
1890s Danish Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
1710s Spanish Baroque Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Fruitwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Metal, Steel
19th Century American American Craftsman Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
19th Century English Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Hardwood
1890s English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
1970s Spanish Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century English Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Spanish Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
20th Century German Biedermeier Industrial and Work Tables
Birdseye Maple
1810s English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Teak
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Leather, Rosewood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Aluminum
Antique and Vintage Industrial Tables and Work Tables
From drafting tables to preparation tables to kitchen islands and more, the collection of antique and vintage industrial tables and work tables on 1stDibs features a wide range of robust furnishings that fit seamlessly into modern interiors.
Work tables, just like most tables, have evolved considerably over the years.
More than 1,000 years before iconic American furniture brand Herman Miller would help shape the way we work — and later, how we live at home — monks who lived and worked in medieval-era monasteries stood at what you might call crude writing desks, translating religious texts and copying them by hand.
While those who practiced the art of handwritten letters definitely needed a suitable writing desk, the world wouldn’t see proper roll-top desks and the like until the 19th century. Owing to the work of architects such as Antoni Gaudí, these monastery “desks” were essentially work tables. (Chairs, much less actual desk chairs, weren’t a part of the workspace until the Renaissance.) It was a far cry from the cozy home office that affords many of us the opportunity to work remotely today.
Near the end of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought with it the founding of mills and factories, and hand production methods gave way to machinery and mass production. Factory workers needed sturdy industrial tables to perform tasks that required precision and to support the manufacturing industry. Spare work tables — durable and easy to clean — were constructed of metal and wood and became essential on assembly lines and in packing facilities. Today, industrial-style furniture celebrates the past even as it suggests vigor, productivity and brawn.
Aside from how well antique and vintage industrial tables and work tables will fit in your industrial-style interior — think raw brick walls, exposed steel beams and oak floors — these furnishings have practical uses. They’re a must-have item for a number of creative endeavors: They’re an ideal food-prep surface in your kitchen or an efficient work surface for any kind of hands-on workshop or painting and drawing studio. With some creativity, you can turn a vintage wood industrial table or work table into a desk, dining room table or coffee table.
At 1stDibs, we love the industrial-style furniture trend, and here you can find a wide range of antique and vintage industrial tables and work tables as well as other furnishings that will look wonderful in your heavenly loft space.