Skip to main content

Modern Shelves

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

1
675
80
19
to
44
404
321
774
250
335
1,041
237
92
88
86
81
51
50
40
35
34
25
10
9
8
4
1
80
694
1
21
49
1
1
5
4
4
24
8
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
512
374
169
140
132
531
168
161
143
103
76
76
41
12
12
Style: Modern
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Small, 2
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Pine

Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Small, 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Pine

Onda Strata, Sculptural, Floating Shelf in Cherry Wood by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Onda Strata progresses from the original Onda concept through the introduction of five additional layers creating a greater sense of movement. The inspiration for this piece, which i...
Category

2010s British Modern Shelves

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Pylon" Shelving System in Ash
Located in Chicago, IL
The “Pylon” profile comprises overhanging, interleaved shelves grounded by stacked, conical spacers. These solid elements add visual weight and totemic structure to the shelf system’...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel

Modern Black Oak Ladder, Medium
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Our Black Bloak Ladders are made of solid white oak finished with ink to blacken them while still letting the natural beauty of the wood grain come through. We use them to display blankets, towels or scarves. Great at the beach house for bathing suits and towels, as a drying rack for lavender or herb or in a guest room...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Smoke by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Amber by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Tangerine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the Dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Blue by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Nude by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Bench Sitting AccardiBuccheri Medulum Oak Sheet Metal
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a line of furniture redefining internal landscapes. Objects made of bent sheets of metal, recalling voids like windows opened towards inhabited spaces, sculptures that become a bench, a bookcase, a bedside table or a consolle. Elementary forms inspired by architectural shapes...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Sheet Metal

TRANSFIX Storage Unit in Glass, by Marc Krusin, Kensaku Oshiro from Glas Italia
Located in Macherio, IT
Transfix storage unit is shown here in the transparent extralight glass. Display and storage unit and element dividing and screening the spaces, obtained by gluing slabs of laminated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass

Contemporary Crafted Bookcase, shelves, shelf sideboard wood Medulum Cabinet
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint. The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle. The library is shipped semi assembled. Design by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce Canaletto finito con vernice trasparente. La testa...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 S" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system. Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Category

2010s North American Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

USM Haller Media O2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors and one cable cut out. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Opinion Ciatti Henry II Triangular Corner Wall Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bedside Table Stool Little AccardiBuccheri Medulum Wood Sheet Metal
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a line of furniture redefining internal landscapes. Objects made of bent sheets of metal, recalling voids like windows opened towards inhabited spaces, sculptures that become a bench, a bookcase, a bedside table or a consolle. Elementary forms inspired by architectural shapes...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Sheet Metal

Bookcase, partially closed cabinet, separator cabinet for environments, storage
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint. The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle. The library is shipped semi assembled. Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce canaletto finito con vernice trasparente. La testa...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter.” William L. Hamilton, The wall street journal The Primo shelving system is composed of notched solid wood planks...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel

Grey Wall Mounted Hypótila Shelving with Silver Aluminium Finish EX.5
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Materials: Aluminium Dimensions: D 26 cm x W 240 cm x H 220 cm The Hypostila shelving was designed in 1979 by Lluis Clotet and Oscar Tusquets to support important amounts o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Hobart Bookcase, Walnut Veneer, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Hobart modern bookcase was born to mimic the natural ebb...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Hobart modern bookcase was born to mimic the natural ebb...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Oak

Onda Hand Carved, Sculptural, Floating Shelf in Cherry Wood by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Onda, is a gently flowing wave-like creation, designed to bring sensual curves into your living environment. This sculptural, wooden piece can be used purely as wall decoration or, w...
Category

2010s British Modern Shelves

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Walnut

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Crystal by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Pair of Modern Black Bookcases in Solid Wood
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern black bookcases in solid wood. Finished in a satin black finish with sleek modern styling. Sold in a pair, 4 total available. P...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

USM Haller Media O3 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors elevated. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated steel tubes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Contemporary and crafted drink cabinet, sideboards, shelves, bookcase in walnut
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Carabottino is a collection made of a clever play of textures and transparencies, that makes these objects the centerpiece of any environment. A storage unit, a mirror or a table that establishes a dialogue between inside and outside. A wooden grating in a two-dimensional form traditionally made with wooden slats, carabottino is considered to be an accessory element of relative importance, similar to window and door...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Unison Vinyl Record Storage Cabinet in Natural Ash
Located in Nyack, NY
The Unison vinyl storage cabinet is a perfect stand alone solution for vinyl record storage or it also makes a great companion to any Unison Record Rack a...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Ash

Graffiti Project Shelves by Wonwoo Koo
Located in Geneve, CH
Graffiti Project Shelves by Wonwoo Koo Dimensions: D 35 x W 78,7 x H 45 cm. Materials: Oak wood veneer. Different color options are available: black, beige, white gray, blue or oran...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Librero Duna 1 by Eliana Portilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Librero Duna 1 by Eliana Portilla Dimensions: D 35 x W 70 x H 175 cm. Materials: Steel with brass coat. This shelf is made of nine modular pieces. Please contact us. I’m inspired b...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Steel

Librero Duna 2 by Eliana Portilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Librero Duna 2 by Eliana Portilla Dimensions: D 35 x W 140 x H 105 cm. Materials: Steel with brass coat. This shelf is made of eight modular pieces. Please contact us. Eliana Porti...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Steel

Librero Duna 3 by Eliana Portilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Librero Duna 3 by Eliana Portilla Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 105 cm. Materials: Steel with brass coat. This shelf is made of three modular pieces. Please contact us. I’m inspired ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Steel

Division Shelving by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Division Shelving by Phase Design Dimensions: D 38,1 x W 91,4 x H 112,4 cm. Materials: Powder-coated solid steel. Solid steel sheet available in a flat black or white powder coat f...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in white lacquer
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel, Bronze

Baker and Co. Three Shelf Display Cases, Pair
Located in Pasadena, CA
Three shelf brass and glass baker and company display case. beautiful edges on all corners. The brass does show some signs of use with minor scratching to the surface. The glass is ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in solid walnut
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in white lacquer and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Curve Shelf System, Smoked Glass Shelves, Brass Frame
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The CURVE SHELF SYSTEM, emphasizing the subtle elegance of brass with its elegant curve details on its corners, impresses in your space... Width: 90 cm / 35.4 inch Depth: 40 cm / 15...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in Hague blue lacquer
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Bronze, Steel

AS6 wall unit 48" wide shelves in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in Hague blue lacquer and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Vintage French Brass Bistro with Glass Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage French Bistro Shelf sourced in the South of France. The unlacquered brass frame has adjustable shelves, curved brass shelf supports and l...
Category

20th Century French Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

AS6 wall unit 48" wide shelves & cabinet in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Handmade June Shelving System, 180cmL - Ebonized Oak - by BACD studio
Located in Værløse, DK
Create a refined space to showcase books and decor with a modern free standing shelving system. Beautiful from all sides, this piece can ...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut, Oak, Maple, Elm

Elemen Shelving Solid Walnut Shelving System, Custom Arrangements Possible
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Elemen shelving system features solid walnut shelving with a gem cut edge, joined with single vertical members to produce a striking and dynamic visual statement. The concealed w...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Walnut

Italian modern travertine and smoked glass consolle, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern travertine and smoked glass consolle, 1970s Console with lateral structures in travertine, with any grooves present on all sides, with two shelves of different depths ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Travertine

Modern Glass Cube Display Case
Located in New York, NY
Modern Glass Cube Display Case with 12 shelves and chrome connectors, apparently unmarked. Provenance: Eva Bouzard-Hui artist estate.
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass

Mid-century Elm Blond Shelf by Roland Haeusler, Maison Regain
Located in Brussels , BE
Modern Elm Blond Shelf, by Roland Haeusler, Maison Regain in elm 1980s
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Elm

BIJOU, modern sculptural shelf, object of art, collectible quiet luxury
Located in Hoboken, NJ
BIJOU- "an object, especially of a residence, small and elegant." Sculptural shelf with organic curves. Showcase a favorite object, create an accent in a space. As functional as it i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Sapele Wood

Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj
Located in Geneve, CH
Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj Dimensions: D 62 x W 40 x H 100 cm Materials: Metal Unique Piece This collection aims to offer completely unique pieces. Each is di...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

SW-1 Stainless Wall Shelf
Located in Princeton Junction, NJ
NAME : SW-1 Stainless Wallshelf DESIGNER : GUVS DATE OF MANUFACTURE : 2023 MATERIAL : stainless steel CONDITION : NEW SIZE : 140cm(W) ​​x 8cm(D) x 30cm(H) Made of stainless steel a...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Hobart modern bookcase was born to mimic the natural ebb and flow of life. Through its ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Mirth Shelves/Divider
Located in Portland, OR
The extraordinary Mirth Shelving/Room Divider is a harmonious blend of functionality and artistic expression. Crafted from concrete, finished to an impeccably high smooth polish, its...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Cement

Jean Nouvel "Less Library Shelf" for Unifor Sp.A., Italy, 1994
By Jean Nouvel, Unifor
Located in Skokie, IL
Jean Nouvel "Less Library Shelf" for Unifor Sp.A., Italy, 1994. Minimal pultruded and welded steel. Designed to represent the archetypal shelf, the Less Library is an exercise in pur...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

alvar aalto 111 shelf
Located in 東御市, JP
1940' alvar aalto design 111 shelf. This is made in Hedemora for export to abroad aalto furnitures during WW2.
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Birch

Modern shelves for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern shelves 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 created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, wall decorations, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern shelves made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original shelves, popular names associated with this style include Marcel Wanders, Moooi, Souda, and Casey Lurie. 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 differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11 and tops out at $88,764 while the average work can sell for $3,091.

Recently Viewed

View All