A revival in the popularity of authentic Minimalist furniture is rooted in history while reflecting the needs and tastes of the 21st century. Designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s aphorism that “less is more” influenced the evolution of 20th-century interiors with an emphasis on function and order. This was a shift from the 19th century, with its lavish Victorian decorating, and was spread around the world through design styles including Bauhaus and brutalism.
Yet Minimalism was present in furniture design long before the clean lines of modernism, such as in the simple and elegant utility of Shaker furniture. Although the Minimalist art movement of the 1960s and ’70s had little crossover with furniture design, artist Donald Judd was inspired by the Shakers in creating his own spare daybeds and tables from sturdy wood. (Judd, whose advocacy of symmetry also informed his architectural projects, furnished his Manhattan loft with unassuming but poetic works by iconic modernist designers such as Gerrit Rietveld and Alvar Aalto.)
Understatement rather than ornamentation and open space instead of clutter are central themes for a Minimalist living room and bedroom. As opposed to Maximalism, the focus for Minimalist furniture and decor is on simplicity and considering the design and purpose of every object.
Furnishings are usually made in neutral or monochrome colors and pared down to their essentials — think nesting coffee tables, sectional sofas and accent pieces such as ottomans. And Minimalist ceramics can help achieve a decor that is both timeless and of the moment. The organic textures and personalization of handmade craftsmanship associated with these works have served as a sort of anti-Internet to screen-weary decorators. That said, while the thoughtful ergonomics of Scandinavian modern furniture, with its handcrafted teak frames, are at home in Minimalist spaces, so are the quietly striking pieces by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa that employ industrial materials like stainless steel, aluminum and plastic.
Minimalist furniture is not for making flashy statements; it boasts subdued appeal and excels at harmonizing with any room. And, as it encompasses many different movements and eras of design, it also never goes out of style, owing to its tasteful refinement.
Find a collection of Minimalist tables, seating, lighting and more furniture on 1stDibs.
$1,275Sale Price|30% Off
Dior Homme Black Fine Leather Jewelry or Trinket Box
By Hedi Slimane, Christian Dior
Located in Valencia, VC
Dior Homme Black Fine Leather Jewelry or Watch Box — Limited Edition by Hedi Slimane (2000) A rare and exquisite black fine-leather Dior Homme jewelry or watch box, created under th...
Metal
Stone Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A neutral hue stone box, jewelry or decorative, in the Modern or Minimalist styles, circa late-20th century. A great piece to hold jewelry (demonstrated) or other small items on a de...
Stone
Six Watch Box Made from Solid 3000-5000 Year-Old Bog-Oak
Located in London, GB
Collection Nr3, six watch box made from hardened glass and a solid bog-oak wood frame. Detailed with brass finger joints and hinges. Each product houses, three, six or ten watches at...
Brass
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Teak Wood Box, Minimalist Design, 1950
Located in New York, NY
Antique wood box originally used for storing valuables. There is no key however the original hardware is intact. Lovely patina and markings throughout...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Box with a Shell Lid in Style of Alexandre Noll
Located in NYC, NY
A beautiful wood box with a small compartment inside and a shell lid in the manner of Alexandre Noll.
Shell, Walnut
Petite Oval Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite 19th-century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Perfecting line and form, the small box has a balanced, oval form shaped of white brass (...
Brass, Copper
Round walnut inlaid ebony box with leather-lined interior
Located in Novedrate, IT
Round jewelry box made of solid turned walnut and decorated with small ebony inserts. The inlay forms an ascending geometric pattern. The lid opens by splitting into two parts by rot...
Ebony, Walnut
Vintage Nautical Wood with Inlaid Brass Jewelry Box
By Jonathan Adler, R & Y Augousti
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and Minimalist Jewelry box. This rare beauty is a unique box or decorative box that brings minimal shape with organic beauty. Constructed of wood panels that have been ligh...
Brass
Lars Hakansson Sterling Box, circa 1991 Lund Sweden
By Lars Hakansson
Located in Litchfield, CT
Sterling, Lars Hakansson, Sweden, circa 1991. Known for his modernist pieces Swedish silversmith Lars Hakansson brings and elegance to postmodern design. This box is a wonderful occa...
Sterling Silver
Christmas Tree with Brass Headboard Large, Brown, Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
-Cedar, Fir, and Juniper were handcrafted and named after the respective trees regardless of form in order to create the perfect atmosphere for your Christmas concept. -Product Detai...
Cedar
Burl Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A small round burl wood trinket or jewelry box with pyramid-like top. Perfect for any desk or vanity area to hold small items. Shown with cocktail ring (available separately.) Dimens...
Burl, Wood
Set of Three Nesting Octagonal Straw Marquetry Boxes - France - 1930s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare and exquisite set of three French octagonal nesting boxes in straw marquetry on wood, handcrafted circa 1970 in the refined spirit of Jean-Michel Frank. Each lid showcases a u...
Straw
Decorative Boxes, ELLA by Reda Amalou Design - Black & Brown Lacquer
Located in Paris, FR
The ELLA boxes translate the spirit of the collection into a more intimate format. Crafted in wood, lacquer, or eggshell marquetry, they combine clean lines with refined finishes. Th...
Wood
Decorative Boxes, ELLA by Reda Amalou Design - Brown Eggshell, Black
Located in Paris, FR
The REDA AMALOU DESIGN boxes echo Asian, and more specifically Vietnamese, culture, by which Reda Amalou has been inspired over time. The boxes that make up this line of accessories ...
Eggshell
Decorative Boxes, ELLA by Reda Amalou Design - White Eggshell, Black
Located in Paris, FR
The ELLA boxes translate the spirit of the collection into a more intimate format. Crafted in wood, lacquer, or eggshell marquetry, they combine clean lines with refined finishes. Th...
Eggshell
Decorative Boxes, ELLA by Reda Amalou Design - Black & Brown Mat Lacquer
Located in Paris, FR
The ELLA boxes translate the spirit of the collection into a more intimate format. Crafted in wood, lacquer, or eggshell marquetry, they combine clean lines with refined finishes. Th...
Bronze
Decorative Boxes, ELLA by Reda Amalou Design, - Brown Eggshell
Located in Paris, FR
The ELLA boxes translate the spirit of the collection into a more intimate format. Crafted in wood, lacquer, or eggshell marquetry, they combine clean lines with refined finishes. Th...
Eggshell
Decorative Boxes, ELLA by Reda Amalou Design, - White Eggshell
Located in Paris, FR
The ELLA boxes translate the spirit of the collection into a more intimate format. Crafted in wood, lacquer, or eggshell marquetry, they combine clean lines with refined finishes. Th...
Eggshell
Hundred Cigar Solid Bog-Oak Humidor, Cedar Lining & Brass Jointing
Located in London, GB
Dovedale — has designed two different humidors, a smaller humidor carrying fifty cigars and a more substantial to take a hundred cigars. Both are lined with Spanish cedar to keep the...
Brass
Chinese Tea Tray with Ridged Sides, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the late 19th century, this elegant tea tray charms with clean lines, fine materials, and balanced proportions. Used as a surface for preparing and serving tea, the tray has...
Hardwood
Fifty Cigar Solid Bog-Oak Humidor, Cedar Lining & Brass Jointing
Located in London, GB
Dovedale — has designed two different humidors, a smaller humidor carrying fifty cigars and a more substantial to take a hundred cigars. Both are lined with Spanish cedar to keep the...
Brass
Quitandeira, Traditional Fruit Box in Glass, by Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
To perpetuate the memorable wooden boxes at fairs in Brazil, the architect and designer Tiago Curioni, a Brazilian based in Portugal, recreated the glass boxes, in a limited series of 30 units. Named as Quitandeira, it has a system of glass rulers...
Glass
Chinese White Glazed Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Rendered in a striking cool white glaze, this contemporary porcelain jar offers a modern take on a Classic form. Lidded jars like these were used in tea shops in China, where tea dri...
Ceramic
Sabattini Italy production in years 50 jewelry box
Located in Biella, IT
Sabattini Italy production in years 50 jewelry box in stainless steel with top in plexiglass, very elegant. Lino Sabattini is an old-time craftsman. His objects, characterised by a...
Stainless Steel
$1,150 / set
Vintage Boho Tessellated Bone Boxes - Set of 3
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of timeless sophistication to your decor with this exquisite set of three vintage tessellated bone boxes. Crafted with meticulous artistry, these handcrafted storage boxe...
Bone, Wood
Ten Watch Box Made from 3000-5000 Year-Old Bog-Oak, Brass Jointing
Located in London, GB
Collection N3, the ten watch box made from hardened glass and a solid bog-oak wood frame. Detailed with brass finger joints and hinges. Each product houses, six or ten watches at a t...
Brass
Set of 4 Black Dots Porcelain Cubes by Lana Kova
By Lana Kova
Located in New York City, NY
Set of 4 elegant open cubes, which function together as a sculpture or could be filled with cookies, nuts, tea bags or else. Hand-cast in porcelain and once bisque fired, each dot is...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Three Watch Box made from 3000-5000 year-old solid Bog-Oak, Brass jointing
Located in London, GB
Dovedale — has created three different sized watch boxes. Collection Nr3, three watch box made from hardened glass and a solid bog-oak wood frame. Detailed with brass finger joints ...
Brass
Set of 4 Black Dots Porcelain Small Cubes by Lana Kova
By Lana Kova
Located in New York City, NY
Set of 4 elegant open small cubes, which function together as a sculpture or could be filled with candles or trinkets. Hand-cast in porcelain and once bisqu...
Porcelain
"Maestro" Chilean Mesquite Lidded Decorative Box or Cigar Box
Located in Frankfurt, KY
South American Chilean Mesquite decorative box or cigar box with hinged Mexican Primavera lid. Box bottom and sides are handmade from a single slab of Chilean Mesquite and expertly matched to highlight the distinctive figure and grain lines. Mexican Primavera's natural texture is preserved and locked with hand-cut Chilean Mesquite butterfly inlays. The lid is also exquisitely finished with a solid brass butterfly inlay, which also serves as a handle to lift and lower the lid. Finished with custom-blended Michael Madley Naked oil...
Brass