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.
Large Maple Cutting Board from the Deborah Ehrlich Collection
Located in Accord, NY
Designed by Deborah Ehrlich and made in Rhode Island by the same master craftsman who makes her chairs - the simplicity and elegance of this maple cutting board speaks to the collect...
Maple
Medium Maple Cutting Board from the Deborah Ehrlich Collection
Located in Accord, NY
Designed by Deborah Ehrlich and made in Rhode Island by the same master craftsman who makes her chairs - the simplicity and elegance of this maple cutting board speaks to the collect...
Maple
$266Sale Price / set|59% Off
Vintage Knife Rests, Set of Six Silver Plated Dachshund Dogs, Italy, 20th-C
Located in Valencia, VC
Set of Six Metal Dachshund Cutlery Rests with Original Box A set of six sculptural metal cutlery rests, each cast in the form of a dachshund. Nicely detailed and well-proportioned, ...
Metal
Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Water Decanter for Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Located in Accord, NY
The Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Water Decanter was designed in collaboration with Laureen Barber and Philippe Gouze for Dan Barber's James Beard Award winning restaurant, Blue Hill at St...
Crystal
Italian Murano Champagne Coupe Glasses, Vincenzo Nason & Cie, Italy 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Italian Murano blue cocktail or Champagne coupe glasses by Vincenzo Nason & Cie, Minimalist period, circa late-20th century...
Glass, Murano Glass
Set of 2 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Champagne Glasses, Hand Blown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these hand blown crystal champagne glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is des...
Crystal
Minimalist Vase Delaunay CS9 by Noom, Sculptural Design, Brass and Steel
Located in Paris, FR
Delaunay vase, one of the vases from the "Suprematic" collection. The collection inspired by the geometric works of the great Suprematist Kazimir Malevich. Suprematism is a modernis...
Brass, Steel
Gabo Vase CS7, Sculptural Design in Copper and Steel by Noom, Minimalist
Located in Paris, FR
Gabo vase, one of the vases from the "Suprematic" collection. Collection inspired by the geometric works of the great Suprematist Kazimir Malevich. Suprematism is a modernist moveme...
Copper, Steel
Deborah Ehrlich Small Crystal Bowl, Hand Blown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and clarity of Swedish crystal. The simplicity of the design, the thinness of the lip, the quality of the crystal and the perfect weight of this small crystal bowl...
Crystal
1990s Set of Two Minimalist Silverware Designed by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This elegant pair of minimalist serving utensils is a quintessential example of late 20th-century Italian design, crafted by the renowned silversmith Lino Sabattini during the 1990s....
Silver Plate
$552Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 12 Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Set of 6 Green Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Set of 6 Amethyst Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Set of 4 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Pilsner Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal pilsner glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and cla...
Crystal
Set of 6 Green Turquoise Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
$285Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
ZARUCOLANDER basket, walnut wood, design Rio Kobayashi
Located in San-Martino-di-Lota, Corse
Zarucolander is a collapsible colander and basket, designed by designer Rio Kobayashi. The strainer slats, crafted from walnut, were steam bent and then secured with red and black colored ball...
Wood, Walnut, Bentwood
Chinese Hardwood Opium Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
By the 18th century, opium use had become as central to Chinese social life as taking tea or smoking tobacco, fostering a subculture rich with its own customs, traditions, and exquis...
Hardwood
Handbuilt Organic Modern Large Ceramic Moon Vase with Lava Glaze
By MONDAYS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handbuilt organic modern vase made from a groggy clay body covered layers of glossy and matte white glaze, with a heavily textured glaze on top. Each vase is made by hand in our Broo...
Ceramic
Small Maple Cutting Board from the Deborah Ehrlich Collection
Located in Accord, NY
Designed by Deborah Ehrlich and made in Rhode Island by the same master craftsman who makes her chairs - the simplicity and elegance of this maple cutting board speaks to the collect...
Maple
Black Danish Minimalist Teapot & Warmer by Per Rehfeldt for Søholm
By Per Rehfeldt
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Black teapot and stand/warmer in glazed ceramics. Stylish organically shaped teapot in an ovoid form and with a practical handle in bentwood beech and brass. It is called Åbo/Abo and...
Ceramic
Danish Minimalist Circular Stainless Steel Tray by JENO Danish Design, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A circular 35 cm serving tray in stainless steel. Designed and made by JENO - Danish Design in Denmark circa 1970-75. A great minimalist Danish modern piece that can be utilized in s...
Stainless Steel
19th Century Hand-Carved Stone Platter
Located in Nijlen, BE
Hand-carved stone bowl from the Ardennes region in Belgium. Beautiful piece with an aura of pure simplicity. The shallow nature of the bowl makes it so unique. A piece like no oth...
Stone
Set of 6 White Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
$5,675 / item
Liana Natural Clay
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
LIANA, a sculpture symbolizing the connection between the sky and the underworld. Crafted using an ancestral technique from San Bartolo Coyotepec, these pieces were formed from Oaxac...
Stainless Steel
Páramo Tiles MIX 1 m2. - 50% with curve and 50% plain (natural clay)
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
Páramo expresses the malleability of the earth. This scalable set of mosaics modeled using parametric design allows for infinite variations. Sold per m2. The geographies that resu...
Clay, Paint
Norm Beige, Travertine, Vase, Plate, Decoration, Centerpiece
By Erman Bazman
Located in Istanbul, TR
Norm vase set. Measures: 1 pcs large vase 13 x 13 x H 42 cm 1 pcs medium vase 16 x 16 x H 32 cm 1 pcs plate 26 x 26 x H 4 cm Designed by Erman Bazman.
Travertine
"Oak Ring Tray” Oak Minimalist Tray by Aparentment
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The oak ring tray is a minimalist style round shaped centerpiece made of treated Oak, manufactured according to traditional methods.
Oak
1970s Minimalist Silver Plated Ice Bucket by Lino Sabattini for Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This vintage 1970s minimalist ice bucket is a striking example of Mid-Century Modern design, crafted by the renowned Italian designer Lino Sabattini for the prestigious French silver...
Silver Plate
Anna Ehrner Kosta Boda Cobalt Blue Crystal Paperweight, 1990s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda white crystal paperweight or votive candle holder. Kosta Boda white crystal candle holder by Anna Ehrner, 1990s A Kosta Boda votive...
Crystal
Set of 6 Light Blue, Periwinkle Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Set of 6 Blue Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
1980s Minimalist Lino Sabattini Silver Plated and Ceramic Small Appetizer Tray
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1980s minimalist appetizer tray is designed by Lino Sabattini and manufactured by Sabattini Argenteria. Lino Sabattini is an influential Italian designer known for his modernist...
Silver Plate
Han Bai Yu Stone Elevated Tray by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone Elevated Tray Han Bai Yu stone (White Marble) Hand carved Limited edition **Please note this marble piece has natural inclusions and imperfecti...
Stone
$300 / item
Handbuilt Organic Modern Ceramic Moon Vase
By MONDAYS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handbuilt organic modern vase made from a groggy clay body covered layers of glossy and matte white glaze. Each vase is made by hand in our Brooklyn studio, and no two are ever exactly alike. The moon...
Ceramic
Páramo Tiles MIX 1 m2. - 50% with curve and 50% plain
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
Páramo expresses the malleability of the earth. This scalable set of mosaics modeled using parametric design allows for infinite variations. The geographies that result from these ...
Clay, Paint
Lino Sabattini Style Folded Brushed Steel Modernist Serving Set, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Minimalist and sculptural six-piece serving set in the style of Italian designer Lino Sabattini, known for his refined metalwork and innovative tableware. Crafted from brushed steel ...
Steel
Danish Minimalist Stainless Steel Ashtray by Roelandt for Stelton, 1980s
By Stelton
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish stainless steel ashtray designed by Roelandt and manufactured by Stelton in Denmark during the 1980s. Similar to Arne Jacobsen's cylinda-line but with a tilting mechanism/l...
Stainless Steel
Brutalist Carved Wood vide poche– In the Style of Alexandre Noll France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Brutalist Carved Wood Catchall Tray – In the Style of Alexandre Noll – France, 1950s Description: This is a wooden catchall tray, handcrafted in France ...
Wood
$4,170 / item
Aura Tiles Blue
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
Aura, a mural of a gentle, profound and peaceful nature painted by Mexican artist José Miguel Gómez in different sized ceramic mosaics. Each piece represents a different state of min...
Ceramic, Paint
Set of 6 Glass Longdrink Tumblers Iride, Hand-Crafted, Kanz
By kanz
Located in Venezia, Veneto
Set of 6 shot glass. Dimensions of each glass : Ø7 x H12,5 cm The “Iride” glass exploit the phenomenon of light refraction and play with the bottom color, transporting it to the su...
Glass
Han Bai Yu Stone Elevated Tray by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone elevated tray Han Bai Yu stone (White Marble) Hand carved Limited edition Each individual stone vary in inclusions and color. Each piece is ind...
Stone
Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl Minimalist, Signed
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian Murano art glass bowl from Italy. Bowl's design is in the Minimalist style. Murano glass colors include clear, gold-yellow, black, 'smoked' taupe, and ribbons of ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
21st Century Set of 6 Colored Glass Iride, Hand-Crafted, Kanz Architetti
By kanz
Located in Venezia, Veneto
Set of 6 glass. Dimensions of each glass : Ø7 x H8,5 cm The “Iride” glass exploit the phenomenon of light refraction and play with the bottom color, transporting it to the surface....
Glass
Silver Plate Serving Bowls Reed & Barton, Set of 3
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) graduated silver plate over brass serving bowls in the Minimalist style, by Reed & Barton, circa late-20th century, USA. The silver plate really makes these bo...
Brass, Silver
Gutta Vase CS1, Contemporary Minimalistic in Transparent Blown Glass by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
Gutta Sculptural Glass Vases by NOOM — designed by co-founder and chief designer Kateryna Sokolova — are a contemporary, bold, and minimalist tribute to the ancient glassblowing tech...
Glass, Smoked Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Vintage Coffee Set of 10 by IMCO Minimalist Design Italy, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage coffee set by IMCO minimalist design Italy, 1970s This vintage coffee set by IMCO Design from the 1970s impresses with its timeless elegance and minimalist design. It consi...
Stainless Steel
Three Piece Stainless Steel & Glass Ice Bucket by Georg Jensen
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unique Three Piece Stainless Steel & Glass Ice Bucket by Georg Jensen, circa 1990 "Triangular Torqued Design" Georg Jensen label on the edge of the lid Glass Bucket Stainless ...
Stainless Steel
Wabi Sabi Large Lava Stone Incense Holder
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A unique wabi sabi incense holder made of lava stone, designed by Maximilian Jencquel, a Venezuelan-born, German-French architect. Jencquel brings a rich tapestry of cultural and pr...
Lava
$540Sale Price / set|20% Off
Cocktail Pitcher Mixologist Barware Set, English, circa 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful hand-made set of three (3) English art glass beaker pitcher cocktail vessels, minimalist design, made in England by artist designer Simon Moore, circa late-20th century, ...
Crystal
$5,675 / item
Liana Black Clay
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
LIANA, a sculpture symbolizing the connection between the sky and the underworld. Crafted using an ancestral technique from San Bartolo Coyotepec, these pieces were formed from Oaxac...
Clay
Set of 4 Ralph Lauren “Edward” Crystal Birdbath Wine Goblets, Faceted Stem
By Ralph Lauren
Located in San Diego, CA
A refined set of four Ralph Lauren “Edward” crystal wine goblets, distinguished by their sculptural “birdbath” bowl and sharply faceted stems. These glasses embody Ralph Lauren’s sig...
Crystal
Henckels Mid Century Modern Azur Flatware Satin-Finish Germany 1960s - 111 pcs.
Located in Miami, FL
Modern J. A. Henckels's AZUR tableware (111 pieces) which was discontinued in 1969. It was made from high-quality durable stainless steel with satin-finish. Henckels Azur series wa...
Stainless Steel
Set of 6 Black Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Set of 6 Green Pea Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
$287Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Yellow Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Set of 6 Red Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
$2,275Sale Price|35% Off
Mid Century Modern Signed Schneider Large Bubble Glass Centerpiece Bowl 1950s
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful clear Schneider Art Glass with captured bubbles large and heavy centerpiece bowl. Thousands of bubbles suspended in clear crystal! Etched SCHNEIDER FRANCE on the bottom; ci...
Blown Glass
"UNIVERSO" Wineholder by Luca Semprebon (Honey Onyx, Italy)
Located in Pastrengo, IT
The “Universo” Collection of luxury wine holders celebrates the celestial beauty of the cosmos, combining fine craftsmanship with natural stone artistry. Each sculptural wine holder ...
Onyx, Marble
Sydney Cash Design in Year 2000 for Moma New York Glass Vase Optical Art
Located in Biella, IT
Sydney cash design in year 2000 for Moma New York glass vase optical art. Measure height 10 inches x diameter 3", is in black and transparent colours. Perfect condition.
Art Glass