This should be the case for modern laboratories as well, they can merely be housed in modern looking protective alcoves rather than antique wooden shelves with gargoyle bookends. Antique labs usually will want to have a few such tomes scattered about all the working areas in the lab. Every effort should be made to ensure that laboratory notebooks look old even if they are new. Unfortunately these are really only appropriate for antique labs. However, in those circumstances they should be used as often as possible.
Few things contribute to the proper work environment the way a candle does.
Candelabras are also important as an exotic iron candelabrum can enhance the effectiveness of a plain candle enormously. However, the value of a random half-melted candle atop an old book or skull can't be underestimated. Oil lamps, particularly in Middle Eastern designs are excellent additions to an antique lab as well. Antique labs should probably stick to small games like chess or backgammon preferably with an aged wooden, stone or metal service, or human sized entertainment like garden mazes. While these work for modern labs as well there is no reason not to consider more high tech virtual reality options as well.