D20 Coffee table

Volther drew this table in 1951, yet the dowel shelf under the top still reads like a current idea.

Poul M. Volther, who succeeded Børge Mogensen as head of the design studio at FDB Møbler in 1950, gave the D20 straight lines, rounded edges, and a magazine shelf built from dowels that keeps the table light and airy. In nature-oiled solid oak, it stands slightly taller than most modern coffee tables — a practical height, not a fashionable one.

Materials

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified solid oak, nature oiled

Dimensions

47.2 in W x 21.6 in D x 21.6 in H; 28.7 lbs

Designer

Poul M. Volther, 1951

Fits

Pairs with the D20 corner table (same height and oak)

Common Questions

Why is the D20 taller than most coffee tables?
Volther drew it slightly higher — 21.6 inches — which brings the top closer to sofa-arm height and makes it easier to reach a cup, a book, or a laptop.

What is the shelf underneath for?
It is a magazine shelf made of dowels: newspapers and books go below, the top stays clear, and the open dowel construction keeps the table looking light and airy.

Is there a matching corner table?
Yes — the D20 corner table shares the same nature-oiled oak, dowel shelf, and 21.6-inch height, so the two can run together along a sofa arrangement.