Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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.

6
873
44
2
to
183
630
276
919
906
908
525
463
185
112
86
67
60
56
47
46
40
40
36
33
18
16
9
4
1
868
46
11
577
179
1
2
12
25
108
142
102
20
8
446
327
206
92
86
427
344
308
151
100
40
27
21
18
13
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Archimede Seguso Murano Sommerso Glass Cat Bookends, Italy, 1950's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Archimede Seguso Murano Sommerso Glass Cat Bookends, Italy, 1950's.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Solid Glass Block Bookends By Blenko
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Solid Glass Block Bookends By Blenko, textured edge.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Jules Wabbes Illuminated Library in Wood and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, bookcase, in brass and wood, Belgium, 1960s   Rare wall unit designed by master furniture-maker Jules Wabbes. This exceptional piece could be use...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Metal Sculpture by Salvatore Messina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Salvatore Messina, sculpture, aluminum, Italy, 1960 Salvatore Messina (1916-1982) tackled the question of movement and the concept of space through his metal sculptures. The three-d...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Artistic Hand-Crafted Room Divider in Bronze
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hand-crafted room divider, bronze, metal, Italy, 1960s. An Italian Postwar room screen that finds itself at the intersection of art and design. This highly sculptural piece consists...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Mid 20th Century Modern Folding Screen by J. Baumann, 1950s
Located in Brugge, BE
1950s France Pine 180cm high, 200cm wide, 2cm deep
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Pine

4-step spiral library staircase made of walnut wood and leather from the Middle Ages
Located in Cantù, IT
4-step spiral library staircase made of walnut wood and leather from the Middle Ages
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Folding 4-Panel Room Divider Screen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut-Stained Mahogany
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Walnut

Roseville Wincraft Art Pottery Bookends, Floral, C1948
Located in Big Flats, NY
Roseville Wincraft Art Pottery Bookends, Floral, C1948 Measures- 6''H x 5''W x 4.5''D
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Pottery

Four-Panel Bamboo Wicker Rattan Folding Screen Room Divider, France 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
This Mid-Century-Modern eye-catching rattan or wicker and bamboo four-panel room divider with filigree decoration was crafted in France in the 1960s. This rattan screen combines mid-...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rattan

Pair of Vintage Copper and Brass Sculptural Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With elements of Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern, this pair of sculptural copper and brass bookends can blend in with many styles. Designed from two long pieces of brass that are be...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass, Copper

Vintage Abraham Lincoln Bust Bookends by Philadelphia Manufacturing Co.
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a pair of vintage Lincoln bookends made by the Philadelphia Manufacturing Co. The bookends depict a detailed bust of President Abraham Lin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Green Cast Glass Bookends by Blenko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic pair of heavy mid-century modern green cast glass semi-circular column bookends by Blenko. In very good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. 5" x 5"...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1928 'Hands' Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #1928 'Hands' brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. P...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Eames Rosewood Screen/Room Divider FSW-6 1996 edition
Located in Seattle, WA
Limited edition of the Eames folding screen (FSW-6) in rosewood, numbered 322/500. The design of the screen was a clever combination of molded plywood panels and a flexible cotton ca...
Category

1990s North American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rosewood, Plywood

French Mid-Century Bamboo Screen
Located in Austin, TX
Screen from France in the mid-century style. This piece is made with a bamboo structure and striking rattan screens with a woven pattern crafted from the color tones of the rattan.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Wall Unit by Ludvik Volak for Drevopodnik Holesov
Located in Vienna, AT
Flower (dividing) wall made of the bent beech plywood and features geometric paterns. In restored condition. This is the seldom version with the round corners. Designed by Ludvik V...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4635 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1980s Faceted Lucite Bookends by Ritts Co. of Los Angeles
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of mid-century modern "Astrolite" lucite bookends by the Ritts Company of Los Angeles that are strikingly etched and polished, which catches and refract lights beautifully. T...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite

Midcentury Italian Carved Walnut Wood and Leather 4-Step Library Ladder
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian carved walnut wood step ladder with four stairs and nicely carved details and decorated structure. Each step is upholstered with red leather. Versatile and practica...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Cast Glass Ice Cube Bookends by Blenko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic pair of heavy mid-century modern cast glass ice cube shaped bookends by Blenko. Front and back are polished smooth and all four sides are textured. In very good vintage...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Brass Chrome Square Trunk Cube Sidetable
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic square mixed metal trunk or sidetable with amazing mirrored affect throughout. This versatile piece can be used for storage with its cedar lining as well as a small side ta...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Carl Auböck Vintage Brass "T" Bookends
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Pair of vintage Carl Auböck patinated brass "T" bookends for Werkstätte Carl Aubock. Circa 1949. Model #3847. Impressed with foundry stamp "Aubock, Made in Austria".
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Tegolo screen by Giovanni Offredi for MC Selvini, 1970, Italy
Located in TOURS, FR
Rare Tegolo screen by Giovanni Offredi for MC Selvini, Italy Model created in 1968 and produced in different colors 3 independent pieces in bent ash plywood, that can be used as a s...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Ash, Plywood

Pair of vintage Italian marble mushroom bookends, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
A pair of vintage Italian alabaster marble mushroom bookends, hand-carved in Volterra circa mid 1960s. Tones of chestnut, pewter, and caramel. Some wear consistent with age and use b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Alabaster, Marble

Pair of Mid-Century White Marble "Chief" Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of mid-century white marble "Chief" bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and well crafted. They measure 8.5"W x 2.75"D x 7.25"H and would make a great addition t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Alabaster

Pair Mid-Century Modern Beveled Rectangle Lucite Bookends
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage pair of tall, heavy monogramed thick lucite bookends with beautiful beveled edges on aluminum bases. These bookends almost glow when the light hits them. Polished and substan...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Pierre Jeanneret Teak and Red Leather Folding Screen c. 1957
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pierre Jeanneret three-panel folding screen. Designed for Chandigarh Administrative Buildings c. 1957. Teak, red leather. Three double-sided panels, each with a profiled frame. A...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Teak

Scaletta Step di Andries Onck per Magis Anni 80
Located in Milano, IT
Scaletta pieghevole, metallo smaltato, materiale plastico.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Step ladder by Andries Onck for Magis Anni 80s
Located in Milano, IT
Folding ladder, enameled metal, plastic material.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

1960s French Three-Panel Bamboo Wicker Rattan Folding Screen.
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This finely crafted bamboo divider is a work of art that tells a story of creativity and craftsmanship. The intricate scrollwork across its surface, intertwining with delicate circle...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Valigia "President" Louis Vuitton in tela monogram, Francia anni '60
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
La più grande delle affascinanti valigie rigide di Louis Vuitton, prodotta alla metà del XX secolo. L'esterno è rifinito nella famosa tela monogram con finiture e angoliere in ottone...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Murano Glass Pear Bookend Paperweight or Decorative Piece
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Glass Murano Hand Blown Pear Bookend or paperweight with interior burst of orange. A wonderful mid century piece that can easily stand or lay on its side with a flattened side. ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Murano Glass

3 Panel 1960s Gilded Italian Screen
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning three arch panel gold leaf screen/room divider, made in Italy, 1960s. Beautifully decorated gold leaf. Good vintage condition with some imperfections including light wear/st...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Gold Leaf

Italian wood panels mid 60s
Located in bari, IT
Curved and quilted oak panels from a 1960s container
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French Tall Leather Wrapped and Brass Obelisks
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A fantastic pair of ceramic obelisks wrapped in leather from France. This delicate ceramic pair are beautifully embossed in classic brown leather with brass balls as detail. This cl...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid Century French Baumann Paravent Paris Pine Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in Burton, TX
Found in France, this French Art Deco freestanding tambour room divider / folding screen in patinated heart pine was made by Baumann, Melun Paris. This flexible paravent is made out ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Pine

Mid Century Modernist Rectangular Chrome Bookends by Smith Metal Arts
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of modernist chrome bookends by Smith Metal Arts. These sizeable pieces of chrome are captivating as they are commanding. Their styling is simple timeless. Aged chrom...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Midcentury Ben Seibel Sculptural Flame Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural Ben Seibel for Jenfred book ends, circa 1950s. In brass finish. Some wear, patina and scratches but overall nice condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Rolling Globe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage globe turns on its axis as mounted on a vintage teak stand. Complete with casters and interior illumination this vintage piece is perfect conversation starter ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

1950s Mod Coral Red Hat Box Leed's Tested Travelwear Luggage Prop
Located in Ferndale, MI
Mod 1950s round hat box/train case by Leeds Tested Travelwear New York. The coral-red textured exterior is a gorgeous pop of color with white piping and brass hardware details. An e...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of Ben Seibel for Jenfredware Sculptural Two Tone Brass Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of sculptural brass bookends Designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfredware. Unique, scarcely seen examples incorporating a two-tone, textured design (there are blackened areas which ar...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

2 Panel Folding Screen with Abstract Lucite Panels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Two Panel Wood Screen with caning on bottom of one side. Top is an abstract design of fern leaves and threads laid out in a free-form design in lucite panels. Panels have the look ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cane, Lucite, Wood

Pair of MCM Sculptural Brass Bookends in the style of William Macowski
By William Macowski
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of MCM sculptural brass bookends in the style of William Macowski, 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage condition with a great patina and measure 7.5"W x 5.5"D x 6"H. Grea...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Important Industrial Metal Mold Sculpture Bookends, a pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of industrial stainless steel hand-shaped molds were used in the 1950s to manufacture gloves. Those forms are the female and male parts of a complete mold. They will look s...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Mid-20th Century Room Dividers in Bent-Wood by Ludvik Volak, Praque, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-century room dividers in Bent-Wood by Ludvik Volak, Prague 1960s. We have acquired a memorable room divider from a villa in Prague that can be used as a wall-mounted shelving un...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bentwood, Plywood

Mid Century A to Z Brushed Steel Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible pair of midcentury, solid brushed steel, "A to Z" bookends circa 1970s. Incredibly solid with an impactful presence, these sculptural pieces render style to any decor. C...
Category

1970s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Stainless Steel

1980s Brass Stirrup Bookends Equestrian made Korea
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass Stirrup Bookends Vintage Equestrian Stamped Korea 5.25 h x 4.75 w x 3 .38 d Preowned unrestored vintage condition See images shown.
Category

Late 20th Century Korean Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid Century 12" Reploge World Globe 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury 12" fiberglass and metal earth globe by Reploge Globes Inc. Chicago. Incredibly mod piece that stands on a metal base with full detail. This whimsical piece brings an al...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Pair of Modernist Chrome Chain Link Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of modernist chrome chain link bookends, circa 1970s. The pair are very heavy and in good vintage condition; they measure 14.75"W x 6.25"D x 6.5"H. Great addition to an...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Vintage Cast Glass Bookends by Blenko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic pair of heavy Mid-Century Modern cast glass semi-circular column bookends by Blenko. In very good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. 5" x 5" x 2.5...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Articulated Paravent Baumann Screen Room Divider
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage articulated paravent screen in the style of Baumann France. Flexible Paravent made out of strips of wood allows the screen to be placed in different shapes and angels. Adroi...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Oak

Modernist Pair of Solid Marble Bookends Memphis Era
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible pair of modernist solid marble bookends in emerald green and white tones, circa the 1980s. The pair has a sharp "Memphis Era" design by its bold profile. The organic beaut...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Folding Screen with Tibor Reich Etruscan Horse Fabric
Located in Savannah, GA
A four panel antique mahogany folding screen with a special Tibor Reich etruscan horse jacquard fabric from the 1960s. Both front and back are upholstered and pictured. 101 inches ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Jacquard, Mahogany

1958 Danish Teak Hutch Bar Credenza by Hans Wegner for Ry Møbler
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Born on April 22nd in 1958, this free-standing wall-unit / hutch is truly an architectural masterpiece. The entire construction can be easily broken down and assembled without any h...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Teak, Pine

Mid-Century Cedar Chest by Lane
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century American made blanket chest with cedar lining. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Oak, Cedar

Goyard Trunk, 1910 France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Astounding vintage Goyard trunk in a rare extra large size. The oldest and largest antique Goyard trunk available for sale anywhere. Completely original leather, canvas and brass, un...
Category

1910s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Japanese Aluminum Steamer Travel Trunk by Kowa
By Kowa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare, midcentury industrial style WWII steamer travel trunk featuring an aeronautical aluminum and steel case. Crafted in Japan by Kowa. The riveted construction aluminum frame is ac...
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Mid-century Modern home accents for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern home accents 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 home accents created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern home accents 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 home accents, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Blenko, Ben Seibel, and Replogle Globes. 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 home accents differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $188,000 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

Recently Viewed

View All