CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

                 EXHIBIT 23.1 -- CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements for
the Company's Steelcase Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (Registration No.
333-84689), Steelcase Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan (Registration No. 333-84251),
Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan (Registration No. 333-46711),
Steelcase Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Registration No. 333-46713) and
Steelcase Inc. Public Debt Offering (Registration No. 333-83264) of our report
dated March 26, 2003, except for Note 10, which is as of May 2, 2003 relating to
the consolidated financial statements and schedule, which appears in this
Form 10-K.

BDO SEIDMAN, LLP

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
MAY 16, 2003