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.
Crackle Celadon Kitchen Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Described in ancient Chinese texts as the “moon dyed with spring water,” celadon ceramics are prized for their well-proportioned forms and luminous blue-green glazes. This vintage ce...
Stoneware
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Lotus Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...
Terracotta
Glazed Chinese Wine Jar, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Originally used for fermenting rice or sorghum into wine or vinegar, this squat, earthenware vessel from the early 20th century is coated inside and out with a thick, dark glaze. The...
Ceramic
Chinese Lobed Pantry Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Charged with the humble task of storing dry goods, this small earthenware jar was hand-shaped in the early 20th century with balanced proportions and a beautifully irregular unglazed...
Ceramic
Full Moon Jar in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Full moon jar Cream lacquer (60 coats) Copper base Hand repousse Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a laborious and time-consuming process. After it...
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Round Jarlet in Black Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round Jarlet Black Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decor...
Copper
Chinese Lobed Pantry Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Charged with the humble task of storing dry goods, this small earthenware jar is hand-shaped with balanced proportions and a beautifully irregular unglazed surface. The round jar has...
Earthenware
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Lotus Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, flowers and g...
Terracotta
Provincial Chinese Clay Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculpted during the early 20th century in China's Shanxi province, this clay vessel has a smoky grey exterior with balanced proportions and a beautifully irregular unglazed surface. ...
Earthenware
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Offering Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...
Terracotta
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Lotus Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...
Terracotta
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Zodiac Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, flowers and g...
Terracotta
Chinese Coiled Pickling Pot, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Originally used for fermenting rice or sorghum into vinegar, this earthenware vessel from the early 20th century is coated inside and out with a thick, dark glaze. The inky black gla...
Ceramic
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
$380 / item
White Glazed Ball Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Drawing on a long Chinese tradition of monochrome ceramics, this striking short-necked vase is cloaked in an all-over milky white glaze. Sculpted by artisans in China's historic Jian...
Porcelain
$380 / item
Chinese White Glazed Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Rendered in a striking 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 drinking...
Porcelain
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Lotus Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...
Terracotta
Qing Dynasty Hand-Painted Glazed Pickling Jar, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Pickling Jar was once used to pickle eggs and features a wonderful array of hand-painted motifs which include birds, foliage and other subtle symbols and patterning. The hand-pa...
Ceramic, Paint
$400Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in Dm 9.06 in
Chinese Shiwan Green Glazed Ceramic Jar / Planter, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful green glaze typical of Chinese "Shiwan" pottery adorns this early 20th Century Chinese storage jar. The jar likely occupied a private home to store grains or other househ...
Ceramic
$460Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in Dm 10.24 in
Chinese Green Glazed Ceramic Soy Sauce Storage Jar / Planter, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful green glaze adorns this Early 20th Century Chinese ceramic Soy Sauce storage jar. The characters on its front side translate to "Thick Soy Sauce". There are an additional...
Ceramic
13th Century Chinese Song Dynasty Shipwreck Vessel, China
Located in New York, NY
13th century China Song Dynasty small four handled shipwreck vessel. Beautiful and natural patina from being submerged under water. Part of a very large collection of shipwrecked pot...
Ceramic
Cup in Chinese Porcelain, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cup in Chinese porcelain with a decor of orange fishes on a green and white concentric arches background with white waves. Edge with wave shape. Red signature with Asian characters....
Porcelain
Chinese Vintage Altar Vase with Crackle Celadon Finish and Flaring Neck
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage altar vase from the mid 20th century, with celadon crackle finish and flaring neck. We currently have 3 vases available, priced and sold $1,300 each. Created in China during the midcentury period, this tall altar vase charms...
Porcelain
Chinese Gilded Bronze "Archaistic" Style Drinking Vessel
Located in Montreal, QC
Gilded bronze "Archaistic" style bronze Chinese vessel.
Korean Celadon Inlay Vase Goryeo Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is an antique Korean ceramic vase from the end of Goryeo to the beginning of Joseon period (circa 14-15th). The vase features celadon crackled glaze with underglaze inlay design in black and white. The vase was a transitional piece made toward the end of Goryeo to the beginning of Joseon Yi dynasty...
Ceramic
$1,800Sale Price|35% Off
H 26 in Dm 10 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty Crackle Glazed Dragon Vase with Kiln Error
Located in Rio Vista, CA
20th century rare Qing dynasty crackled (GE) glazed vase with molded three dimensional dragon forms. This very fine quality vase is particularly interesting by the presence of a kiln...
Earthenware, Porcelain
Chinese Ming Ceramic Provincial Jar Celadon Glaze, Early 17th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese hand-thrown ceramic provincial jar with a light celadon glaze which we date to the Ming period of the early 17th century or possibly earlier. The jar is hand potted...
Ceramic
Chinese Shiwan Green Glazed Ceramic Jar / Planter, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful green glaze typical of Chinese "Shiwan" pottery adorns this early 20th Century Chinese storage jar. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiwanzhen district...
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Porcelain Vase, Art Nouveau Style, 1900s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large antique Chinese porcelain vase decorated with green, white and pink organic motifs with golden accents. Stylized art nouveau decorations of branches, leaves, roots and butterflies. Manufactured between 1890 and 1920 - possibly Famille Verte. Stamped under base. Beautiful vintage condition. China...
Porcelain
Chinese Lobed Pantry Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Charged with the humble task of storing dry goods, this small earthenware jar is hand-shaped with balanced proportions and a beautifully irregular unglazed surface. The round jar has...
Earthenware
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Offering Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...
Terracotta
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Offering Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...
Earthenware
Chinese Yuan Green Glazed Lotus Jar, c. 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its imperfection, this green glazed lidded jar from Yunnan province is an offering vessel, or spirit jar, originally filled with ritual offerings such as coins, shells, ...
Earthenware
Petite Celadon Melon Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Described in ancient Chinese texts as the “moon dyed with spring water,” celadon ceramics are prized for their well-proportioned forms and luminous blue-green glazes. This vintage ce...
Stoneware
Chinese Lobed Pantry Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Charged with the humble task of storing dry goods, this small earthenware jar was hand-shaped in the early 20th century with balanced proportions and a beautifully irregular unglazed...
Ceramic
Chinese Dark Glazed Kitchen Jar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic glazed vessel dates to the early 20th-century and was used for storing food and condiments in a provincial Qing-dynasty kitchen, as evidenced by its interior glaze. The w...
Earthenware
Chinese Lobed Pantry Vessel, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Charged with the humble task of storing dry goods, this small earthenware jar was hand-shaped in the early 20th century with balanced proportions and a beautifully irregular unglazed...
Ceramic
Chinese Bai Baluster Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Defined by its rounded body, high shoulders and domed lid, the time-honored look of the Chinese baluster jar takes on a streamlined look in this c...
Porcelain
Chinese Bai Baluster Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Defined by its rounded body, high shoulders and domed lid, the time-honored look of the Chinese baluster jar takes on a streamlined look in this c...
Porcelain
Cloud White Onion Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
A milky white glaze emphasizes the simple, serene beauty of this contemporary ceramic vase. Refining the traditional onion shape, the round jar has clean lines and an understated scu...
Porcelain
Chinese White Glazed Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Defined by its rounded body, high shoulders and domed lid, the time-honored look of the Chinese baluster jar takes on a streamlined look in this contemporary interpretation made in J...
Porcelain