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Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 1970s
1970s Vintage Plastic Shelf, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Lyby Mobler Mid Century Danish Teak and Steel 4-Bay Freestanding Wall Unit
Located in Countryside, IL
Lyby Mobler Mid Century Danish Teak and Steel 4-Bay Freestanding Wall Unit This wall unit measures: 147 wide x 17 deep x 72.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 24 inches All p...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Brutalist Fiberglass Wall Sculpture 1970 s
Located in Berlin, DE
Discover this unique and rare sculpture, characteristic of the 1970s era. Crafted from fiberglass, it embodies the abstract geometric design language that designers have been so expe...
Category

1970s Moroccan Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Fiberglass

Firstaid Cabinet 1970s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Wall Cabinet 1970s. Beautiful vintage patina.
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Mid-Century TOMADO Style Red and Grey Industrial Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century, Tomado style industrial shelving with Red and Grey shelves on black enameled metal wire risers. The shelves rest on the wire risers and can be arranged to different posi...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Rosenthal Studio Line Porcelaiin Otto Piene 'Limited Edition'
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Stunning wall plaque by Otto Piene for Rosenthal. The plaque was produced in 1973 in an edition of 3000, and this one is number 1670. It is a decorative art plate in a rainbow desi...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Porcelain

Italian large bookcase, 1970s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian large bookcase, 1970s. Dimensions: H= 200 cm; W= 325 cm; D= 52 cm.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Large Wall Organizer Uten.Silo I by Dorothee Becker for Design M Ingo Maurer
Located in Munich, DE
Original Mid-Century Modern wall organizer Uten.Silo I. Designed by Dorothee Becker in 1969. Manufactured in 1970s by Design M, Ingo Maurer, Munich, Germany. This is an original l...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Brass and Glass Shelves, Set of 6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 6 Brass and Glass Shelves. Very nice detailed brass brackets with 3/4" thick glass Shelves. Shelves have rounded front edges. Very nice quality! Easy to set up in a 100 co...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Style Mid Century Wall Mounted Shelf
Located in Countryside, IL
Karl Springer Style Mid Century Wall Mounted Shelf This shelf measures: 129.5 wide x 16.25 deep x 9 inches high All pieces of furnitur...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Erik Buch Style Mid Century Danish Teak Freestanding Wall Unit
Located in Countryside, IL
Erik Buch Style Mid Century Danish Teak Freestanding Wall Unit This wall unit measures: 41.5 wide x 17.25 deep x 70.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we cal...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Wall Mounted Cabinet with Desk for Les Arcs by Charlotte Perriand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Wall Mounted Cabinet with desk for Les Arcs by Charlotte Perriand Charlotte Perriand was a designer and architect active in early 20t...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Solid Brass and chrome with glass shelving unit
Located in Toronto, ON
Solid Chrome and brass/bronze two toned shelf with up to 6 glass shelves. This solid and sturdy shelf features two metals: chrome and brass. The chrome has minimal patina. The brass has a gorgeous brown patina finish that gives off the look of bronze. Otherwise in great vintage condition. This shelf is very sturdy and heavy as its solid metal, the glass shelves are thick at about 0.75 inches in thickness. There's placements for 4-6 glass shelves in total. It comes with 4 glass shelves but we can add additional shelf shelves if requested (no additional charge) This unique two tone vintage shelf...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Chrome

1960s Large Utensilo I Wall All Organizer White Dorothee Maurer Becker Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Super cool first production and large version. The original vintage Uten.Silo I wall organizer. Designed by Dorothee Maurer Becker in 1969. This one is Off-White and has some yel...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Chrome & Brass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features Fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork design. Includes two L ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Set of 5 Kartell Inspired White Floating Molded Acrylic Wall Shelves
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 5 molded, mid century, plastic floating wall shelves, 2 small (1 bright white, 1 off white) 17.75 x 12.125 x 13.75", 2 medium (off white) ...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Glass & Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with chrome clad patchwork design. Includes two L shaped w...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Erik Buch Midcentury 3 Bay Teak Freestanding Wall Unit
Located in Countryside, IL
Erik Buch midcentury 3 bay teak Freestanding wall unit This wall unit measures: 123 wide x 17.5 deep x 70.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call rest...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Utensilo II Wall Organizer by Dorothee Maurer Becker for Design M, Germany, 1970
Located in Saarburg, RP
This original 70s Uten.Silo II is a design by Dorothee Maurer Becker. This Utensilo is an old original of the company Design M. It was still produced by the company of her husband, t...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Conant Ball Mid Century Maple Room Divider
Located in Countryside, IL
Conant ball mid century maple room divider This room divider measures: 52 wide x 21.5 deep x 68.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Maple

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System
Located in Chicago, IL
Enzo Mari dima modular wall shelving system for Simon International Dima Italy, circa 1970 Enameled steel, shelves adjustable with solid plastic holders...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Italian Vintage Black Detail Equipped Wood Wall Bookcase, 1980s
Located in IT
A wall book case composed by two panels covering the wall. Please note how the wood in this piece has such an intense tone and it is in excellent condit...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Walnut Floating Shelves, a Pair
Located in Countryside, IL
Mid century walnut floating shelves - A pair Each shelf measures: 35 wide x 10 deep x 19 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

50 Piece Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 50 pieces of this amazing Barzilay walnut wall unit with aluminum accents. Please contact us for custom pricing and visit our L...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Swedish Chrome Cane White Wall Shelf Unit by DUX of Sweden
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-Century Modern Swedish chrome Cane white wall shelf unit cabinet by DUX of Sweden. Beautiful Swedish modern design wall shelf unit with (5) drawer...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Freestanding Wall Unit Shelving
Located in Countryside, IL
Mid century walnut and chrome freestanding wall unit shelving Wall unit measures: 30 wide x 16 deep x 74.5 inches high All pieces of furniture c...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

1970's Plastic Bathroom Set, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Four piece set made of plastic in a very nice red colour. Beautiful collection from the 1970's. The Mirror is 40 cm wide and 40 cm high, the hanger is 26 cm long, 6 cm high, the sm...
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Mid-Century Wall Shelf and Hook, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of wood Re-polished Original condition.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Dodona 300 bookcase by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide - Italy - 70's.
Located in Padova, IT
Modular bookcase with adjustable shelves. Plastic material. The legendary Italian company Artemide was founded in the province of Milan in 1959 by the designer and engineer Ernesto G...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Gorgeous Pace Collection Floating Wall-Mounted Console Shelf, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous Pace Collection floating architectural wall-mounted console table. The simple design, featuring two drawers and a burled olivewood case, as well as the emphasis on quality m...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Freestanding Bookshelf with Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage freestanding unit makes a wonderful addition to any home or office. Dual cabinets, including a lower record cabinet, make this ideal for...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Room Divider Wall Unit Shelving
Located in Countryside, IL
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Room Divider Wall Unit Shelving This wall unit measures: 54 wide x 17 deep x 72.5 inches high The base measures:...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Bamboo Shelves circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
bamboo shelves circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo

Founders Style Mid Century Walnut and Cane Display Shelf
Located in Countryside, IL
Founders style mid century walnut and cane display shelf The shelf measures: 30.5 wide x 16.25 deep x 77.5 inches high All pieces of ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Giuseppe Rivadossi Pair of Cabinets in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi, cabinets, oak, glass, Italy, 1975. An exceptional pair of cabinets by the Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi, featuring a high level of craftsmansh...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Oak

Chrome & Brass Wall Mounted Shelves
Located in Hanover, MA
Blingy and glamorous 1970s custom made wall mounted shelves consisting of chromed steel single-track shelf standard which is embedded within a chann...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome

Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Iron Wine Rack
Located in Countryside, IL
Arthur Umanoff mid century iron wine rack The wine rack measures: 8.75 wide x 7.75 deep x 13.75 inches high This set is in Great Vintage Condition with minor wear. We take ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Utensilo by Dorothee Becker
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Endlessly practical Uten. Silo wall organizer, designed by Dorothee Becker. An awesome piece to store all the small things that don’t quite have a home. Molded from strong ABS plasti...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Acrylic

Dorothee Maurer Becker Uten, Silo II Wall-All Wall Organizer, West-Germany
Located in St. Louis, MO
Dorothee - Maurer - Becker, Uten. Silo II Wall-All Wall Organizer, color is black. Signed Dorothee - Maurer - Becker product of M. Munich West-Germany, circa 1970s. ABS plastic, over...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

Unique Milo Baughman Style Brass Finish Etagere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique brass finish etagere offers plenty of stylish storage or display space, complete with staggered size shelves for added variety. Unique smoked mirror background and bottom...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Paul Evans Cityscape Patchwork Wall Console, Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage wall mount console makes a unique display shelf in a variety of interiors. Cityscape design makes this patchwork chrome wall shelf...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nine bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles. Oiled walnut with aluminum detail in great condition. We have a variety of ca...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

Luxury Clothes Hangers Minimalist Elm Briar Brass Gold and 1970 Mirror Zevi
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Luxury Minimalist clothes hangers in elm briar brass and 1970 Italian design mirror Zevi Arredamenti.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

1970s Paul Evans Inspired Cityscape Shelf
Located in New Rochelle, NY
You are viewing a long, clean and shiny Paul Evans inspired cityscape shelf. There are very few minor scratches with very light use. Looks just as good as the authentic piece without...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Albert Hansen Danish Modern Rosewood Modular Shelving System 1970s (Signed)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is one beautiful Brazilian rosewood Danish shelving modular system by Albert Hansen 1980s (Signed). This unit includes 7 shelves, 1 slanted book d...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Janet Schweitzer “ORBA” System for Pace
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s featuring an illuminated display shelf. This piece is in great vintage condition but has scuffs, scratches, etc. There are also some chips missing on the glass but they are ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

Original French Design Classic Pierre Chapo B17 Bookshelf, 1970s
Located in Renens, CH
A beautiful, original edition B17 bookshelf designed by Pierre Chapo in French solid elm. The vintage B17 shelf is a highly sought after piece from the Chapo workshop; it combines ingenious design with a sculptural appearance. French elm is due to the Dutch elm disease extremely rare to find these days, and recent editions are generally made of oak which have a completely different appearance compared to the warm, vintage look that an aged Chapo piece provides. Vintage Chapo...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit, Sold by Component
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nine bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles. Oiled walnut with aluminum detail in great condition. We have a variety of ca...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-century Modern shelves and wall cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern shelves and wall cabinets 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 shelves and wall cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, 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 Mid-Century Modern shelves and wall cabinets made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original shelves and wall cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Joel Escalona, Poul Cadovius, Paul Evans, and Dorothee Maurer-Becker. 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 shelves and wall cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $64 and tops out at $60,000 while the average work can sell for $3,448.

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