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.
Crystal Tea Light Hurricane Lantern by Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Deborah Ehrlich's crystal tea light hurricane lantern is made up of four nested pieces of handblown, hand-cut Swedish crystal. Used with a clear tea light candle, the flame moves ...
Crystal
Vintage Block Glass Double Tea Warmer Candle Holder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Block Glass Double Tea Warmer Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 Additional information: Materials: Glass Styles: Minimalist Item Type: Vintage, A...
Glass
Set of 2 German Pewter Model 551 Minimalist Candleholder by Karl Raichle, 1930s
By Karl Raichle
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Pewter Model 551 Minimalist Candleholder by Karl Raichle for Meersburg, 1930s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1920 to 1949 This piece has an attribution mark. Ad...
Pewter
Lucille Wood and Firewallglass Candle Holder Minimal Style by Giordano Vigano
Located in Meda, Lombardia
Inspired by old lanterns, Lucille is a collection of candle holders with a simple and minimal style. Made of turned wood, they are adorned with a small inlaid decoration and equipped with a firewall glass. The inlay is inspired by the geometric decoration of ancient Greek vases...
Glass, Wood
$156 / item
Lava Candleholder, Volcanic Stone and Brass
By Caterina Moretti, Ana Saldaña
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
Volcanic stone is a witness to the power of nature: hand-polished by craftsmen with a millenary tradition, its unruly nature is transformed into a sensi...
Stone, Brass
Postmodern Minimalist Ceramic Candleholder from ASA Selection, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Minimalist Ceramic Candleholder from ASA Selection, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mate...
Ceramic
Lucille Wood and Firewallglass Candle Holder Minimal Style by Giordano Vigano
Located in Meda, Lombardia
Inspired by old lanterns, Lucille is a collection of candle holders with a simple and minimal style. Made of turned wood, they are adorned with a small inlaid decoration and equipped with a firewall glass. The inlay is inspired by the geometric decoration of ancient Greek vases...
Glass, Wood
Lucille Wood, Leather and Glass Candle Holder Minimal Style by Giordano Vigano
Located in Meda, Lombardia
Inspired by old lanterns, Lucille is a collection of candle holders with a simple and minimal style. Made of turned wood, they are adorned with a small inlaid decoration and equipped...
Glass, Wood, Leather
$622 / set
Lava Trays Set, Volcanic Stone
By Caterina Moretti, Ana Saldaña
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
Volcanic stone is a witness to the power of nature: hand-polished by craftsmen with a millenary tradition, its unruly nature is transformed into a sensi...
Stone, Brass
Set of 6 Italian Silver Plated Brass Candelabra, Sculptural Centerpieces
By FEDERICA PAOLI, CASPAL
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 6 Italian Silver Plated Brass Candlestick with Sculptural Contemporary Design This elegant set of 6 Italian silver plated brass candelabra embodies the perfect blend of sculp...
Silver, Silver Plate, Brass
Brass Cast Sun Tea-light Candle-holder
Located in London, London
Each of those original brass tealight holders is handmade individually. Cast and textured using very traditional techniques, they are polished revealing...
Brass
$195 / item
H 16.5 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Handcrafted Moroccan Moorish Metal Candle Lantern, Hammered Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Moorish metal candle lantern with open metal work Moorish design. Hurricane candle lamp handcrafted in Morocco by artisans, metal hand-cut and...
Metal
$295 / item
H 16 in W 6.25 in D 6.25 in
Vintage Moroccan Moorish Metal and Stained Glass Lantern or Pendant
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan Moorish metal and stained colored glass candle lantern Handcrafted small Moroccan glass lantern or Moorish pendant. Multi-color molded glass in green, lavender, blue...
Metal
$702 / item
H 6.3 in W 12.21 in D 3.55 in
“Fit Candle Three” Travertine Marble Minimalist Candle Holder by Aparentment
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Fit Candle Three is a minimalist style candle holder made of treated Travertine marble. This candle holder is composed by three marble pieces and three solid brass pieces, all of...
Marble, Travertine, Brass
Cast Brass Leaf Tea-light Candle-holder
Located in London, London
Each of those original brass tealight holders is handmade individually. Cast and textured using very traditional techniques, they are polished revealing...
Brass
Jelly Jar Light by Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Deborah Ehrlich's elegant crystal Jelly Jar light fixture highlights this renowned glass artist's attention to superior artisanship and craft. The hand...
Brass
Moorish Glass Lantern, Handcrafted Metal & Glass, Morocco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan Mamounia glass lantern with Moorish design. Elegant Impressive intricate pierced metal and glass Moroccan lantern. Large 29 inches tall with clear, blue, green, red an...
Metal
Set of Swedish Grace Pewter Candle Sconces, 1930s, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Pewter Wall Candle Sconces made by Svensk Tenn. A fine duo for a beautiful home. * Pair (2) of Pewter Wall Candlestick Holders * Manufacturer: Svenskt Tenn * Year: est. 1930...
Pewter
$276Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 11.03 in D 3.55 in
Italian Modern Candleholder in Porcelain and Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Delicate looking candelabra for small (0.5 inch) candles. It has a practical black 'ball' made of bakelite, a stem in solid brass and the base and 'candle holders' are made from whit...
Brass
Brass Cast Moon Tea Light Candle-holder
Located in London, London
Each of those original brass tea light holders is handmade individually. Cast and textured using very traditional techniques, they are polished...
Brass
Moroccan Moorish Square Tole and Clear Glass Candle Lantern
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
large Handcrafted Moroccan clear glass lantern adorned with open tole metal work Moorish filigree design. Hurricane candle lamp with open metal work design and clear glass. There is ...
Metal
$155 / item
H 8.67 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in
Constantin I Candleholder in Solid Oak and Brass Minimalist Design with Circles
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Constantin 1 is a simple but charming candleholder with a geometric shape with circles. The body is in solid oak wood. The cylinder in natural brass on the top is the place where to put a 18 mm candle. In the same collection 3 different models of candlesticks in wood...
Oak
Göran Slöjdare, Tea Light Holders, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine tea light holders produced by Göran Slöjdare, Sweden, 1970s. maker's label.
Pine
Six White Plaster Candlesticks
Located in Chireno, TX
Six white plaster candlesticks: two heights: three candlesticks 22 inches high and three candlesticks 18.5 inches high. Sold individually and priced $650 each.
Plaster
Set of Two Large Contemporary Minimalist Black Metal Floor Candleholders
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of two large contemporary Minimalist black metal candleholders. The simple Minimalist modern candle stand is finished in black and hold a 3" diameter candle. Measures: Heights ...
Metal