Minimalist Lighting
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.
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Concrete
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Late 20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Steel, Chrome
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
1970s German Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Chrome
Early 2000s American Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Glass
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Steel
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Marble
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Brass
1970s Dutch Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s Danish Minimalist Lighting
Granite
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Lighting
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Travertine
1950s French Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Crystal, Steel, Chrome
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
1980s French Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Minimalist Lighting
Wood
2010s Danish Minimalist Lighting
Granite
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Wood
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Lighting
Steel
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s North American Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Lighting
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Lighting
Brass, Steel
2010s Slovenian Minimalist Lighting
Composition
2010s North American Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum, Steel
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
1970s American Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Chrome
20th Century French Minimalist Lighting
Brass, Nickel
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Glass
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
2010s North American Minimalist Lighting
Brass, Steel
2010s German Minimalist Lighting
Stoneware
20th Century French Minimalist Lighting
Ceramic
2010s American Minimalist Lighting
Brass
2010s North American Minimalist Lighting
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
2010s Italian Minimalist Lighting
Marble
Minimalist lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
New Orleans’ Lee Ledbetter Makes Design Magic by Mixing Past and Present
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
How a Modernist Hamptons Home on the Water Became the Ideal Weekend Refuge
Damon Liss and Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects collaborated on this serene getaway for a minimalism-minded Manhattan family of four.