Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
Scandinavian teak sideboard from the 1960s
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian sideboard with teak frame, hinged doors and center drawers, raised on geometric feet. Essential design and balanced proportions for this Scandinavian teak...
Teak
Scandinavian teak and pine 1960s sideboard
Located in Brescia, IT
Sideboard made of teak veneer and pine frame, with sliding doors and side drawers. Scandinavian production, 60s. Scandinavian sideboard from the 1960s made of teak veneer with an in...
Teak, Pine
French 2-Door 3-Drawer Scandinavian Design Low Dideboard by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our worksho...
Ash, Wood
Scandinavian Modern Sideboard 'Bastone', Doors version, 200, Black Oak
Located in Paris, IDF
Sideboard Bastone designed by Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Studio Dimensions : H. 80 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 50 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Black Oak - With doors ---...
Oak
$8,326 / item
Scandinavian Low Sideboard 'Bastone', Black Oak
Located in Paris, IDF
Low sideboard Bastone designed by Antrei Hartikainen Dimensions : H. 50 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 53 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Black oak - Without doors ---- Designed by the award-winning master cabinet maker and designer Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Furniture, the Bastone Low Sideboard creates a natural continuum to the Bastone Collection. Standing at the forefront of art and design, the Bastone cabinets...
Oak
Scandinavian teak sideboard with 1960s pull-out top
Located in Brescia, IT
Teak sideboard with light wood details, pull-out top, hinged doors and drawers. Scandinavian production, 60s. Scandinavian sideboard from the mid-twentieth century made of teak, fea...
Oak, Teak
2-Door 3-Drawer Blue Gray Scandinavian Style Sideboard, design E. Gizard Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our workshop...
Ash, Wood
French Customizable 4-Door Low Wodden Designer Sideboard by Eric Gizard Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 4-door sideboard is presented here in ash wood and is also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, our furniture is fully mounted in our workshop. 2...
Ash, Wood
French Light Yellow Wooden Low Sideboard by Designer Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our workshop...
Ash, Wood
French Dark Blue 2-Door 3-Drawer Low Wooden Sideboard, Scandinavian Design
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our worksho...
Ash, Wood
Scandinavian Modern Sideboard 'Bastone', Doors version, 200, Natural Oak
Located in Paris, IDF
Sideboard 'Bastone' designed by Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Studio Dimensions : H. 80 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 50 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Oak - With doors Designed by the award-winning master cabinet maker and designer Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Furniture, the Bastone Low Sideboard creates a natural continuum to the Bastone Collection. Standing at the forefront of art and design, the Bastone cabinets and sideboards showcase Hartikainen’s interest in studying light and shadow and his appreciation of craftsmanship. By expanding the collection with a lower-sized version, the Bastone Low Sideboard introduces the opportunity for media console use...
Oak
Scandinavian Modern Teak Credenza by Tage Olofsson for Ulferts Mobler, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by Tage Olofsson for Ulferts Mobler in Sweden during the 1960s, this mid-century Swedish teak credenza is a refined example of Scandinavian craftsmanship, where thoughtful p...
Brass
3-drawer 2-door Dark Blue Sideboard, design by Eric Gizard handcrafted in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our worksho...
Ash, Wood
French Light Yellow 4-Door Low Wooden Sideboard, Designed by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 4-door sideboard is presented here in ash wood and is also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, our furniture is fully mounted in our workshop. 2 h...
Ash, Wood
Scandinavian 60s sideboard with elegant lines
Located in Brescia, IT
1960s teak sideboard with two doors and drawers with recessed handles, raised profiles and momentum on slender legs. Scandinavian 1960s sideboard in teak with a warm, uniform grain,...
Teak
Scandinavian teak sideboard with black details
Located in Brescia, IT
1950s/60s teak sideboard with black legs and drawers, pull-out desk, sliding doors and interior compartment. Original Scandinavian 1950s/60s teak sideboard with built-in pull-out de...
Teak
Scandinavian teak sideboard ModelFabriken 1960s
Located in Brescia, IT
1960s teak sideboard with four hinged doors and three top drawers with built-in recessed handles. Made in the 1960s by MobelFabriken Linden, this Scandinavian sideboard features a t...
Teak
Scandinavian teak sideboard from the 1960s
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage teak sideboard with sliding doors, drawers and interior compartments with modular shelves. Original Scandinavian sideboard from the 1960s made of teak. Structure with slidin...
Teak
Scandinavian Beech and Teak Wood Sideboard by Tabergs Mobler
By Tabergs
Located in Madrid, ES
Sideboard veneered with partly stained beech and teak from circa 1950-1960. Manufactured by Tabergs Mobler. Legs with brass braces. Three doors, interior drawers and shelves. Key inc...
Beech, Teak
Scandinavian sideboard with 1950s tile drawers
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian vintage 1950s-60s teak sideboard with two doors and row of beautifully designed tile drawers. Vintage Scandinavian sideboard from the 1950s-60s, made of teak and define...
Teak
Danish Modern Rosewood Credenza Dresser By Ejner Larsen And Aksel Bender Madsen
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, Naestved Mobelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Scandinavian modern rosewood credenza dresser was designed by Danish designers Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Naestved Mobelfabrik circa 1959. It functions as a creden...
Iron
$2,201
Vintage archive cabinet
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian oak cabinet with two shutter doors. Inside, the space is divided by shelves. Perfect as a file cabinet but also as a sideboard for the living room. Good conditions. Po...
Wood
Vintage Swedish sideboard by Ulferts
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian teak sideboard manufactured by Ulferts, with three top drawers, doors below, and original stamp inside. Manufactured in the 1960s by Ulferts in Sweden, this teak sidebo...
Teak
$3,230 / item
Chapman Small Credenza Storage Unit Maple Gold
Located in Cincinnati, US
One unit or four? Doors or drawers? Go sexy with black and walnut or keep it light and fun with maple and pink? The chapman credenza allows you the f...
Steel
Scandinavian oak sideboard-bookcase, 1960s
Located in Brescia, IT
Sideboard with oak bookcase: solid geometric structure, compartment with doors and interior shelf, side drawers, pull-out desk and exposed shelves. Scandinavian oak sideboard-librar...
Oak
Scandinavian teak and oak 1950s/60s sideboard
Located in Brescia, IT
Teak and oak sideboard with six drawers and two sliding doors. Carved round handles and double essence. Made in the late 1950s and early 1960s, this Scandinavian sideboard plays on ...
Wood, Teak
$4,460 / item
Chapman Large Credenza Storage Unit Maple White
Located in Cincinnati, US
One unit or four? Doors or drawers? Go sexy with black and walnut or keep it light and fun with maple and pink? The chapman credenza allows you the freedom to choose exactly what sui...
Steel
Scandinavian Modern Two Door Credenza
Located in San Francisco, CA
Scandinavian Modern credenza in the style of Borge Mogensen, Denmark. Made from high quality materials and construction techniques, just newly refinished and ready to install. Featur...
Teak
Scandinavian 50s/60s teak sideboard
Located in Brescia, IT
Low cabinet with sliding doors and four drawers, linear light wood frame and squared legs. Scandinavian-style sideboard cabinet dating from the 1950s/60s, made of teak with a warm, ...
Teak
Chapman Small Credenza Storage Unit Walnut Rose Copper
Located in Cincinnati, US
One unit or four? Doors or drawers? Go sexy with black and walnut or keep it light and fun with maple and pink? The chapman credenza allows you the freedom to choose exactly what sui...
Steel
$2,060
Nordic highboard 1960s
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian 1950s teakwood sideboard consisting of three lockable hinged doors. The interiors are divided by shelves. This Scandinavian teak sideboard, made in the mid-century mode...
Teak
$1,666
White Deco sideboard
Located in Brescia, IT
Original Scandinavian vinatage sideboard with two hinged doors and two drawers. White-painted wood and gold metal handles give the cabinet an elegant look with retro charm. Inside, ...
Wood
"Sueños" Central American Primavera and Colorado Marble Sideboard Credenza
Located in Frankfurt, KY
Central American Primavera seamlessly joined in a simultaneously dreamy and modern pattern which highlights the wood's cool tones, beautiful grain, and unique figure. Atop the Primavera rests a rare slab of natural luminous Colorado Marble. Primavera and Colorado Marble elegantly compliment one another in a synergistic blend of nature's beauty. Primavera's natural texture is preserved and locked with hand-cut butterfly joints giving the piece a powerful expression and unique, exceptional look. Complete with solid brass handles, pull-out tray, adjustable shelving, and solid brass legs. • Central American Primavera • Custom Solid Brushed Brass Door Pulls • Hand Made Primavera Butterfly Inlays • Adjustable Shelving and Single Pull-Out Shelf • Soft Close Doors And Drawer Slides • Hand Rubbed Michael Madley Naked Oil...
Marble, Brass
Scandinavian Low Sideboard 'Bastone', Doors Version, Black Oak
Located in Paris, IDF
Low sideboard 'Bastone' designed by Antrei Hartikainen Dimensions : H. 50 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 53 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Black oak - With doors ---- Designed by the award-winning master cabinet maker and designer Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Furniture, the Bastone Low Sideboard creates a natural continuum to the Bastone Collection. Standing at the forefront of art and design, the Bastone cabinets...
Oak
French 3-drawer 2-door Chocolate Gray Sideboard designed by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our worksho...
Ash, Wood
Low Red 2-Door & 3-Drawer Sideboard, Scandinavian Design by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our worksho...
Ash, Wood
Frend Chocolate Gray Low Hand-Crafted Sideboard, Design Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 2-door, 3-drawer sideboard is presented here in ash wood and also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, the furniture is fully mounted in our workshop...
Ash, Wood
4-Door Low Sideboard in Ash Wood, Designed by E. Gizard - Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This 4-door sideboard is presented here in ash wood and is also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, our furniture is fully mounted in our workshop. 2 ...
Ash, Wood
$2,407 / item
Radio Style TV Sideboard Cabinet
By Wewood
Located in Paris, FR
TV cabinet in solid wood with perforated sliding doors and holes in the back that allows its use closed, as a radio style design. It keeps the devices hidden. Packed in a plywood b...
Oak, Walnut
$4,460 / item
Chapman Large Credenza Storage Unit Walnut White
Located in Cincinnati, US
One unit or four? Doors or drawers? Go sexy with black and walnut or keep it light and fun with maple and pink? The chapman credenza allows you the freedom to choose exactly what sui...
Steel
Long Teak Credenza by H. Rosengren Hansen for Brande Møbelindustri
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak credenza with four sliding doors concealing shelving and drawers over six tapered legs.
Teak
$12,500
Credenza by Erik Worts
By Erik Wørts
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak credenza with tambour doors on a low dowel leg base.
Teak
Long Teak Credenza by H. Rosengren Hansen for Brande Møbelindustri
By Brande Møbelindustri, Henry Rosengren Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut wood credenza designed by H. Rosengren Hansen featuring four sliding doors concealing shelving and drawers over six tapered legs. Made by Brande Møbelindustri in Denmark cir...
Teak