Industrial and Work Tables
19th Century American American Empire Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Spanish Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Beech
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine, Cherry
1960s Swedish Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
1940s Swiss Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
19th Century English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century American Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
2010s American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Marble, Bronze, Stainless Steel
1860s French Louis Philippe Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Poplar, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
1830s English William IV Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
1810s American American Classical Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Aluminum
19th Century English Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Leather
Mid-19th Century American William and Mary Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Cherry
19th Century Gothic Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
1810s American Sheraton Antique Industrial and Work Tables
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
2010s American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Concrete, Steel
Late 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century Hungarian Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century Regency Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Campaign Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Industrial and Work Tables
Bamboo, Raffia, Hardwood
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century English Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Stainless Steel
19th Century English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
1930s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Steel, Iron
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
2010s American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
Late 19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
1780s English George III Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
Early 1900s European Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Resin, Lacquer, Teak
19th Century Italian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
1820s American Sheraton Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Cherry, Maple, Poplar
1920s French Country Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Bronze
19th Century Rustic Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Hungarian Country Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Marble, Metal
Early 2000s North American Post-Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Stainless Steel
19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany, Pine
Late 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
1920s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
19th Century English Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
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.