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.
1980s French Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Minimalist Lighting
Wood, Birdseye Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Brass
1970s Japanese Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Sheet Metal
1960s Danish Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Steel
2010s British Minimalist Lighting
Terracotta, Wool
2010s Romanian Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum
1980s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Dutch Minimalist Lighting
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Minimalist Lighting
Mirror
2010s Portuguese Minimalist Lighting
Nickel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Metal, Steel
2010s American Minimalist Lighting
Other
2010s American Minimalist Lighting
Stainless Steel, Brass
1970s Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Steel
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Metal
1970s Danish Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum, Steel
1980s Danish Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Lighting
Steel, Zinc
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Blown Glass
2010s European Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Minimalist Lighting
Glass
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Metal, Steel
1970s French Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Steel
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Lighting
Steel
2010s American Minimalist Lighting
Maple
2010s North Korean Minimalist Lighting
Metal, Brass
2010s European Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century Norwegian Minimalist Lighting
Enamel, Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Glass, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Lighting
Ceramic
2010s European Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Late 20th Century Austrian Minimalist Lighting
Metal
1960s German Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
1970s French Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s Oceanic Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Steel
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Ceramic, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Lighting
Wrought Iron
2010s French Minimalist Lighting
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Lighting
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Lighting
Crystal, Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Brass
1980s Swedish Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Steel
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s Romanian Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Glass
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Chrome
2010s Romanian Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Lighting
Steel, Zinc
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Lighting
Smoked Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Minimalist Lighting
Wood, Walnut
1970s French Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Lighting
Ceramic, Glass
1980s French Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Opaline Glass
1980s Danish Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Aluminum, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Lighting
Brass
2010s Portuguese Minimalist Lighting
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Lighting
Plastic, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Minimalist Lighting
Metal
2010s French Minimalist Lighting
Alabaster, Brass
Minimalist lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
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