Carl Malmsten bedside tables

This pair of freestanding bedside or side tables was designed by Carl Malmsten and produced by Bodafors in Sweden during the 1950s. Executed in mahogany, the pieces demonstrate the refined craftsmanship and sense of proportion that characterizes Malmsten’s work. Both tables feature a rectangular top with softly rounded corners and a raised back edge, lending a subtle sculptural quality to the otherwise restrained form. Beneath the top, each table includes a shallow drawer with a simple round wooden pull, paired with a lower open shelf supported by four slender legs connected by stretchers.

The tables are finished in a warm mahogany tone, showcasing the fine grain of the wood. The overall impression is one of understated elegance, with careful attention to detail visible in the gently curved edges and the balanced relation between drawer, legs, and shelving. They remain in good vintage condition with small signs of usage and have been restored, allowing the surfaces and joints to present well while maintaining the natural patina of age.

Carl Malmsten was one of Sweden’s most influential 20th-century designers, known for combining functional simplicity with a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship. His collaboration with Bodafors, one of Sweden’s foremost furniture producers, resulted in numerous designs that bridged classic Swedish furniture traditions with the emerging modernist movement. These tables reflect Malmsten’s approach to design, where practical use and timeless form are combined with sensitivity to materials.

As examples of mid-century Scandinavian design, the pair illustrates the era’s commitment to functional clarity, fine woodworking, and human-scaled proportions. They serve not only as practical pieces of furniture but also as enduring representatives of Swedish modernism and Carl Malmsten’s philosophy of design rooted in tradition and craftsmanship.

Dimensions: width 38.5 cm (15.2 in), depth 58.5 cm (23 in), height 61 cm (24 in)