Industrial and Work Tables
20th Century French Provincial Industrial and Work Tables
Cherry
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
1860s Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Resin, Lacquer, Teak
Late 19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Carrara Marble, Iron
19th Century English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
1920s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Soapstone, Brass, Steel
1870s English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Carrara Marble
20th Century Czech Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Metal, Iron
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Maple
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
1950s Czech Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Beech
2010s American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Concrete, Steel
19th Century British Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Leather
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Rosewood
20th Century Czech Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
18th Century British George III Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Spanish French Provincial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
2010s North American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel, Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Marble
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
2010s American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Marble, Silver Plate, Bronze, Stainless Steel
2010s American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Marble, Bronze, Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century French Industrial and Work Tables
Slate, Bronze, Wrought Iron
1890s English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
1880s Spanish Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood
20th Century Spanish Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century Hungarian Country Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
Early 19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
1920s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century Regency Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Industrial and Work Tables
Maple
20th Century Industrial and Work Tables
Maple
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Oak
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
20th Century French Art Deco Industrial and Work Tables
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Iron
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Industrial and Work Tables
Marble, Steel, Iron
19th Century French Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Wood, Beech
Early 1900s English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Metal
19th Century Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany, Pine
Early 20th Century Italian Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
1940s French Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Metal, Iron
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Industrial and Work Tables
Steel
1790s English Regency Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Plastic, Laminate, Teak
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.