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.
$1,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fly chair in leather by Tiago Curioni, Brazilian contemporary design
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Inspired by human anatomy, the Fly chair by Tiago Curioni has a metallic skeleton, and cushions that refer to the musculature of the human body. Fully covered in leather, the chair...
Steel
$1,363 / item
Contemporary Solid Wood Bar Stool
By Luis Vega
Located in Guadalajara, Jal.
A chair for all occasions, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. This piece of furniture serves as a synthesis of structure and form, both remarked by its constructive clarity and ...
Wood
Stool in leather by Tiago Curioni, handmade in Brazilian in contemporary style.
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Inspired by human anatomy, the Fly Stool by Tiago Curioni has a metallic skeleton, and cushions that refer to the musculature of the human body. Also, check the Fly chair, for a com...
Steel
Natural Brazilian Wood Pipa Chair in Naked Style from Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Developed under the premise of Brazilian traditional joinery concepts, Pipa chair is made with Tauari rods, all of the same thickness and with simple insert...
Beech
Easy Chair, with Belted Vegetable Tanned Cowhide Sling on Stainless Steel
Located in beirut, LB
The easy chair features a handcrafted leather sling backrest and seat with adjustable belts on a solid stainless-steel frame. And a height-adjustable pillow that rests on a removable bikini trunk. The easy chair takes from the relaxed dropped curved silhouette of a chopper bike. Offered here in cognac vegetable-tanned cowhide...
Stainless Steel, Steel
$1,408 / item
H 30 in W 24 in D 24 in
Teak Wood Dining Chair with Oatmeal Fabric Upholstery, Stuzi Collection
Located in Miami, FL
The Stuzi chair by Uultis Design pairs subtle sophistication with ergonomic comfort, making it a versatile addition to contemporary interiors. *Please check availability prior to pur...
Teak, Fabric, Upholstery
$1,346 / item
H 30 in W 24 in D 24 in
Black Faux Leather Armchair with Black Matte Wood Frame, Stuzi Collection
Located in Miami, FL
The Stuzi dining chair by Uultis offers a refined blend of form and function, combining a sleek black faux leather seat with a sculptural matte black wood frame. Its clean-lined silh...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Faux Leather
Italian Chaise Longue Cowhide with Zebra Pattern, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A stunning 1980s Italian chaise longue, featuring a sinuous, sculptural silhouette and upholstered in genuine zebra-print cowhide. The elegant, undulating shape is designed to follo...
Leather
Rattan and Iron Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French sculptural rattan and iron chair. Handwoven cone shaped rattan seat sits freely inside the iron frame. One of a kind, prototype chair. Very good vintage condition.
Iron
Contemporary Pair of Christian Astuguevieille Moisart Chairs
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing a striking pair of Contemporary Moisart chairs by the renowned designer Christian Astuguevieille, each a testament to his artistry and cultural resonance. These distincti...
Hemp, Cord, Raffia, Rope
$708
H 34.26 in W 20.08 in D 22.45 in
Postmodern Cardboard Sculptural Chair, Frank Gehry Wiggle Chair Style, 1980s
By Frank Gehry, Vitra
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Postmodern 1980s whimsical sculptural chair in brown cardboard and reminiscent of Frank Gehry's Wiggle Chair. The chair is surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable. It certainly adds playful flair and amusement to your space. Condition is good vintage condition with some minimal and acceptable signs of wear. Dimensions as follows: Depth: 22.5 in (57 cm), width: 20 in (51 cm), height: 34.25 in (87 cm), seat height: 17.3 in (44 cm). Having established his own firm in Los Angeles in 1961, Gehry saw a pile of corrugated cardboard outside his office and started to experiment. Inspired by a childhood spent exploring his grandfather’s hardware shop, Gehry set about creating the Easy Edges furniture series, highlighting the strength and versatility of cardboard. “I discovered that by alternating the direction of layers of corrugations, the finished board had enough strength to support a small car...
Paper
$6,136Sale Price|20% Off
H 48.04 in W 24.02 in D 16.93 in
16th Century Italian Rococo Chair in Walnut and Velvet, Fair Condition
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful and very rare Italian antique chair from the 1500s. In finely crafted walnut wood, red velvet and bangs, the antique chair is in its o...
Velvet, Walnut
$3,159 / set
H 43.31 in W 16.54 in D 18.12 in
Pair of Campanino High Back Chairs Produced by Sabbadini, Chiavari, Italy, 1960s
By Chiavari
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
An elegant set of two "Chiavarine" high back chairs produced in the 1960s by one of the most versatile and brilliant cabinetmakers in Chiavari, Felice Sabbadini. Crafted with beech w...
Cane, Beech
Object 044 Chair by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 044 chair by NG Design Dimensions: D45 x W42 x H73 cm Materials: Powder coated steel, Plywood. Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors ...
Steel
From $1,027 / set
+ 18 moreH 30.71 in W 22.64 in D 20.87 in
Mula Chair in Stained Black Ash Base, Upholstery Seat, by E-GGs
Mula chair is offered with black stained wooden ash base with seat and back in injected flame-retardant polyurethane foam upholstered in the listed fabrics. The body is packed separately from the base. The leg base finish is also available in a natural ash finish, anthracite metal or ash, black metal, and copper metal. If you are interested in one of the previously listed bases. Formed by Gaia Giotti, Giona Scarselli and Cristina Razzanelli, E-GGS deals with design with a transversal approach, ranging between product design, interior and architecture. Attention and curiosity are captured by the discovery of the unusual in everyday life, in the search for new expressive and material languages. Additional information: Dimensions: Seat height 46.7 cm, overall chair height 78 cm, width of chair 57...
Upholstery, Wood
Max Gottschalk Leather and Iron Sling Chair, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural iron and leather chair by Arizona native and industrial designer Max Gottschalk. Known for well proportioned work in natural materials with purposeful imperfections. Desig...
Iron
$2,400 / item
H 35.44 in W 23.23 in D 19.69 in
First Wood and Metal Chair, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The First chair in enameled wood and metal, was originally designed in 1983 by Michele De Lucchi. Michele De Lucchi was born in 1951 in Ferrara and graduated in architecture in Florence. During the period of radical and experimental architecture he was a prominent figure in movements like Cavart, Alchymia and Memphis. His architectural designs have been mainly for office buildings in Japan, in Germany, in Switzerland and in Italy. He has taken care of numerous art and design exhibitions and has planned buildings for museums as Triennale di Milano, Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Roma and Neues Museum...
Metal
Alchemy Chair Prototype
By Rick Owens
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Rick Owens is a California-born 'luxe minimalism' designer. Inspired by his partner, Michele Lamy, Owens continues to explore and push the boundaries of fashion and design in deep ea...
Bronze
Corner Chair by Donald Judd
By Donald Judd
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Corner chair (bvb 46) Designed 1984/fabricated now 21 stunning colors and solid copper Shown in painted aluminum in Traffic Yellow (RAL 1023) 21 painted aluminum colors or solid...
Aluminum
Corner Chair (copper) by Donald Judd
By Donald Judd
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Donald Judd’s furniture is some of the most recognizable and significant artist-designed furniture in existence. This table/shelf in blue/bl...