Space Age Table

Vintage Space Age tables from the late 1960s through the 1970s – when designers decided tables didn’t need four legs and right angles. Pod-shaped coffee tables, cylindrical side tables, organic forms in moulded plastics and chrome that looked like they belonged on a spaceship rather than in a suburban living room.

Each table here has been professionally restored in our Devon workshop. Space Age furniture needs different treatment than wooden pieces – moulded plastics are cleaned without damaging original finishes, chrome is polished and assessed for pitting, glass tops are checked for scratches or chips, fibreglass shells are examined for cracks. We’re honest about condition because these materials age differently than wood.

What defines Space Age tables:

The influence of the space race on everyday furniture – organic shapes, futuristic curves, materials that felt modern at the time. Moulded plastics (ABS, fibreglass, acrylic), chrome-plated steel, smoked glass, Perspex. Forms that rejected traditional table construction: single pedestal bases, cylindrical columns, pod shapes, asymmetric designs. Designers like Eero Aarnio, Verner Panton, Joe Colombo, and Peter Ghyczy pushing what tables could look like.

You’ll find coffee tables with moulded plastic bases and glass tops, side tables in bold single colours, nesting tables that stack together, occasional tables with sculptural forms. Some by known designers with documented production, others by anonymous Italian or German manufacturers catching the spirit of the era. Materials range from bright orange or red plastics to white or chrome finishes, often combined with smoked glass or clear acrylic tops.

Common types:

Coffee tables with low pod-shaped bases supporting glass or acrylic tops. Cylindrical side tables in moulded plastic – entire table formed from one piece. Tulip-style pedestal tables (not just chairs). Nesting tables in graduated sizes with chrome frames and glass shelves. Mushroom-shaped tables with fibreglass stems and circular tops. The aesthetic is deliberately futuristic – these were tables that looked forward rather than back to traditional furniture making.

Materials and construction:

Moulded plastics can be ABS (harder, more durable), fibreglass (stronger but heavier), or acrylic (clear or coloured). Chrome-plated steel for frames and bases – quality varies significantly between makers. Smoked glass was popular for tops (hid fingerprints better than clear). Some tables use multiple materials combined: chrome frame with plastic shelf and glass top.

Construction quality matters more than you’d think. Better makers properly reinforced bases, used thicker gauge steel, finished chrome properly. Cheaper examples can be wobbly, with thin chrome that pits easily and plastics that crack under stress.

Condition considerations:

Plastics from this era can be brittle now, prone to cracking particularly at stress points. UV damage causes discolouration – whites can yellow, colours fade. Chrome pitting is common on 50+ year old plating. Glass tops show scratches, chips, or stress cracks around fixing points. Fibreglass can develop surface crazing or hairline cracks.

We’re transparent about all of it. If there are cracks in plastic, if chrome has been replated, if a glass top is replacement rather than original – you’ll know. Some wear and patina is expected on vintage pieces; structural issues get properly addressed.

Authentication:

Some Space Age tables have maker’s marks or labels (often moulded into plastic bases or stuck underneath). Many don’t – particularly anonymous production pieces. We identify from design details, material choices, construction methods, and quality of manufacture. There are plenty of later reproductions of famous Space Age designs; we know the differences in materials and construction.

These come from house clearances and sales across Southwest England. They’ve sat in 1970s living rooms, offices, and design-conscious homes – statement pieces then, vintage collectables now. Not subtle, not for everyone, but perfect if you want furniture that doesn’t look like everything else.