Vintage Space Age furniture captured post–World War II optimism with swooping shapes, bowed lines and experimentation with new materials including plastic and fiberglass.
From the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957 to the landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969, the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States propelled advancements in technology that transformed culture. Space Age design encompassed fashion, architecture, cars, furniture and objects for the home, bringing wonder and hope for the future into everyday life.
Coinciding with Pop art, Space Age style featured bold colors and forms. Eero Aarnio’s Ball chair, which debuted in 1966, used molded fiberglass for a capsule-like space while Verner Panton’s 1959 Panton chair was a single piece of molded plastic for a gravity-defying S shape. Red versions of Olivier Mourgue’s 1964 Djinn chair were futuristic enough to appear on the space station in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Today, Joe Colombo is revered as a master of modern Italian design thanks to the provocative modular furniture pieces he created, such as the Tube chair and the Elda armchair, both of which embody the future-forward spirit of the Space Age.
The Space Age spirit extended to home building too. The futuristic Case Study Houses, which were designed by the likes of Pierre Koenig, Charles and Ray Eames, Richard Neutra and Whitney R. Smith, are considered a high point of modernism and the Southern California lifestyle.
Sometimes the nods to space exploration were more literal, like moon and star motifs or the 1965 Eclisse lamp by Vico Magistretti that saw the mid-century Italian designer integrating a movable inner shade to “eclipse” the light source. Alongside the pioneering moon missions, JVC manufactured the Videosphere portable television reminiscent of the Apollo 11 space helmets.
Although the style faded in the 1970s — with the 1975 joining of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts signaling a new era of cooperation and the global oil crisis impacting the availability of plastics — the era’s innovations influenced designers into the 21st century such as Zaha Hadid and Djivan Schapira.
Find a collection of vintage Space Age seating, tables, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Space Age Italian Wall Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An Italian Space Age wall unit. Laminate blue faux bois with black lacquer, glass and aluminum details. A diverse storage piece allowing for use as a bookshelf, bar unit or media cab...
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage Space Age Italian Floating Wall Shelves, 9 available
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage space age shelves in vivid green abs plastic. 9 available in 3 different sizes. Inquire for price on multiples.
Plastic
Ustensilo Wall Organizer by Dorothee Becker for Ingo Maurer, 1970s
By Ingo Maurer, Dorothee Becker
Located in Den Haag, NL
Love this Design and color Designer - Dorothee Becker Maurer Producer - Design M Model - Ustensilo Wall Organizer Design Period 1970s Materials - Plastic Col...
Plastic
Vintage Wall Storage System by Visiva Srl, Italy, 1970's
Located in Lisboa, PT
A blue ABS plastic wall organizer from the 1970s. Designed and produced by Visiva srl, Milano, Italy, during the 1970's. Similar with the Uten.Silo by Dorot...
Mirror, Plastic
'Uten.Silo II' by Dorothee Maurer-Becker for M-Design - 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Space Age design - Modern office decor Measures : 52x6cm H:67,5cm In 1970, Vitra launched "Uten.Silo II," a smaller version of "Uten.Silo I," the original version created in 1969. T...
Plastic
"ZIGZAG" Shelving system by Joëlle Ferlande et François Monnet for Kappa
By François Monnet, Kappa, Joelle Ferlande
Located in Brussels, BE
French shelving system designed by Joelle Ferlande and François Monnet, manufactured by Kappa and Uginox. This rare system is designed to be wall-mounted and allows for multiple con...
Stainless Steel
$2,909Sale Price|20% Off
Large Wall Organizer Uten.Silo I by Dorothee Becker for Design M Ingo Maurer
By Dorothee Maurer-Becker, Design M
Located in BARCELONA, ES
The Large Wall Organizer Uten.Silo I by Dorothee Becker for Design M is an iconic piece of functional design that seamlessly blends aesthetics wit...
Plastic
$9,093
H 66.93 in W 60.24 in D 19.69 in
Børge Mogensen Danish Modern Large Wall Shelving System in Oak & Teakwood, 1956
By Børge Mogensen, Erhard Rasmussen
Located in Odense, DK
Important large wall shelving system in oak and teakwood designed by Børge Mogensen in 1956. This rare and early edition was made at cabinetmaker ...
Oak, Teak
$860 / set
H 6.63 in W 6.5 in D 4.25 in
Pair Antique Terracotta Lion Head Wall Consoles Shelves Italy 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, pair of 1910s wall consoles or brackets. Minor patina gives this piece a classy statement. Made of terracotta. Use just as a decorative shelf or pu...
Terracotta
BRAUN Wall system, Dieter Rams, TS45, 1960s, Vintage
By Braun, Dieter Rams
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique wall system by Dieter Rams for Braun & Vitsœ from the 1960s. High-quality construction consisting of five aluminum E-profiles, two shelves, two L450 speakers, a TG60 tape reco...
Metal
$1,282 / set
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 31.5 in
Marcello Siard for Kartell Set of 6 Black Plastic Shelves, Italy 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Set of six shelves with asymmetrical plastic profile in black, designed by Marcello Siard for Kartell in the 1970s, are of two sizes 4 small (cm.35x44x30) and two large (cm. 35x80x30...
Plastic
$1,898 / item
H 3.15 in Dm 21.66 in
Tableau Wall Decoration Shelf Designed by Sara Ferrari for Mingardo
By Mingardo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tableau is a functional painting, a wall decoration designed to frame everyday objects. Materials: Iron with brassed details Dimensions: Ø 55 cm.
Brass, Iron
$4,643Sale Price|50% Off
H 88.59 in W 102.76 in D 16.93 in
Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Located in Rochester, England
The Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset is a versatile and modern storage solution. Designed by the renowned Mic...
Metal
$8,876 / set
H 120.87 in W 79.53 in D 12.8 in
Large 1950s Italian Mid Century Teak Maple Freestanding Shelving System 18 Piece
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Recently imported from Italy, this is a good example of post war Italian Avant Garde design. Measuring an impressive 3-metres from floor to ceiling – a common height in Italian apartments – with opportunity to arrange the shelves to suit. This impressive freestanding storage...
Brass
$2,650 / set
H 49.5 in W 73.5 in D 10 in
1960s Scandinavian Two Bay Wall Unit System Record Cabinet Cado Royal System
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vintage Scandinavian Modern wall unit system 2 bay in walnut wood. Unmarked. Attribution Poul Cadovius for Roya...
Walnut
Paul McCobb Wall-Mounted Floating Console
By Paul McCobb
Located in Culver City, CA
Introducing an extraordinary mid-century wall-mounted floating three-tier console, a sought-after piece designed by the esteemed Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals in the 1950s. With it...
Steel, Cut Steel
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bookshelf, bar, media cabinet, vitrine...
Glass, Wood, Teak
$1,500 / item
H 5 in W 12 in D 1.5 in
Wall Storage Pocket in Saddle Leather and Stainless by Moses Nadel
By Moses Nadel
Located in Oyster Bay, NY
Combining style with modern utility Ledger Wall Pockets are a sleek and functional storage solution designed to organize and declutter. Crafted from smooth vegtan leather and a sturd...
Stainless Steel
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...
Aluminum
Sold
H 13.78 in W 33.47 in D 11.82 in
Italian 1970s Kartell Thermoformed Plastic Wall Shelf Marcello Siard Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This wall shelf was designed by Marcello Siard for Kartell in Italy during the 1970s and exemplifies the brand’s innovative use of thermoformed plastic. Characterized by its sculptu...
Plastic
Sold
H 13.78 in W 33.47 in D 12.21 in
Pair of Wall Shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell Italian 1970s Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Pair of original Kartell shelves designed by Marcello Siard in the 1970s — a true gem for lovers of Italian plastic design. Made in glossy thermoformed plastic, these iconic wall-mo...
Plastic
Sold
H 6.5 in W 10.24 in D 6.5 in
1970s Italian Space Age Wall Shelves in Red and Green by Makio Hasuike for Gedy
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Designed by Makio Hasuike and produced by Gedy in Italy during the 1970s, this pair of Space Age wall shelves offers an authentic glimpse into the era’s industrial design culture. Ge...
Plastic
Sold
H 4 in W 23 in D 10 in
Set of 6 Rare Vintage Allibert France Bathroom Accessories, Space Age Blue-Grey
By Allibert
Located in Toronto, CA
An exceptional and rare complete bathroom accessories set by Allibert, made in France and dating to the mid-to-late 20th century. This six-piece set remains in unused condition with ...
Plastic
Sold
H 25.6 in W 24.02 in D 3.94 in
1970s “Utensilo” Wall Organizer, Giorgio de Ferrari for Elco, Italian Space Age
Located in BARCELONA, ES
1970s “Utensilo” Wall Organizer by Giorgio de Ferrari for Elco – Italian Space Age Design This rare “Utensilo” wall storage unit, designed by Giorgio de Ferrari for Elco in 1970s It...
Plastic
Sold
H 26.78 in W 20.48 in D 3.15 in
Uten.Silo by Dorothee Becker - 1970s - Produced by Ingo Maurer GmbH and Vitra
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Milano, IT
This iconic Uten.Silo storage panel in the smaller size version, designed by Ingo Maurer and Dorothee Becker (Maurer's wife) in 1969, is a perfect example of functional and ironic p...
Plastic
Sold
H 34.26 in W 26.38 in D 3.15 in
Uten.Silo by Dorothee Becker - 1970s - Produced by Ingo Maurer GmbH and Vitra
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Milano, IT
This iconic Uten.Silo storage panel, designed by Ingo Maurer and Dorothee Becker (Maurer's wife) in 1969, is a perfect example of functional and ironic post-World War II design. Mad...
Plastic
Sold
H 13.78 in W 33.47 in D 12.21 in
Pair of Wall Shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell Italian 1970s Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Pair of original Kartell shelves designed by Marcello Siard in the 1970s — a true gem for lovers of Italian plastic design. Made in glossy thermoformed plastic, these iconic wall-mo...
Plastic
Sold
H 18.31 in W 11.23 in D 3.75 in
70s Wall Shelves PLASTRA by Prisunic, Space Age French Design Icons, Set of 2
By Prisunic
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A rare pair of “Plastra” wall shelves designed by Jean-Lin Viaud for Prisunic around 1970. These iconic French pieces reflect the bold, futuristic spirit of Space Age and Pop design....
Plastic
Sold
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 5.52 in
Limited Edition Wall Shelf 'Globo' Vector , Space Age 1970s Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
The Globo Space Age wall unit, designed by Vector in 1975, is a rare and highly sought-after example of 1970s modular shelving. This sculptural wall-mounted system was reissued in a ...
Plastic
Sold
H 14.97 in W 4.34 in D 0.79 in
Clip-Up: The Oversized French Paperclip Wall Organizer from the 1970s
By Flair
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Clip-Up: The Oversized Paperclip Wall Organizer from the 1970s The Clip-Up is an iconic wall-mounted organizer designed in the 1970s in France, resembling an oversized paperclip. Th...
Plastic
Orange Abs Plastic Wall organiser 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Orange vintage abs plastic wall organiser with shelves. Place of Origin: Italy Date of Manufacture: 1970s In style: Space Age Materials & Techniques: Abs Plastic Condition: Good co...
Plastic