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
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
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
$2,884Sale Price|30% Off
Block Chair by Adriane Escarfullery, Oak Wood, Cubist Design, Spain
Located in PALMA, ES
The BLOCK chair is an exercise in design in the purest cubist style. Simplicity, functionality and the absence of aesthetic additions are its distinctive characteristics; although it...
Ash, Beech, Oak, Walnut
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
$1,999 / item
H 32 in W 25 in D 21 in
Teak and Oatmeal Upholstered Dining or Desk Chair, Curved Backrest - Bone Line
Located in Miami, FL
Sleek, sculptural, and built for comfort, the Bone dining or desk chair by Uultis highlights the natural warmth of teak wood paired with soft oatmeal upholstery. Crafted from sustain...
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
Frank Gehry Easy Edges Chairs and Ottoman
By Frank Gehry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Frank Gehry pair of easy Edges chair and ottoman. Easy Edges, Inc. Canada/USA, 1972. Laminated cardboard, masonite. Chair: 29¼ H × 23¼ W × 39 D in, ottoman: 14¾ H × 17¾ W × 30 D in (...
Masonite, Paper
Brutalist Spanish Midcentury Sculptural Tripod Chair 1950
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Introducing the Exquisite Brutalist Spanish Sculptural midcentury Tripod Chair from 1950 Looking to add a touch of unique sophistication to your int...
Wood
$698
H 34.26 in W 20.08 in D 22.45 in
Postmodern Cardboard Sculptural Chair, Frank Gehry Wiggle Chair Style, 1980s
By Vitra, Frank Gehry
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
Calvet Stool by Antoni Gaudí solid varnished oak
By Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, ES
Solid varnished oak. A company that has always attributed such great importance to the author of the designs could never forget the great figures in history. That is why the BD catalogue of contemporary creations has always included those by admired classical masters. Antoni Gaudí...
Oak
$1,862
H 29.53 in W 15.36 in D 35.44 in
African Solid Wood Folding Chair Design Ethnic Carved, circa 1970
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
African chair made of solid wood, known as a "palaver" chair. The two-part structure can be disassembled, handcrafted and decorated with geometric patterns on the seat and along the ...
Wood
$3,096Sale Price|30% Off
H 32.29 in W 68.9 in D 28.35 in
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
$6,900
H 31.5 in W 20.48 in D 22.45 in
Adolf Loos Corner Chair, F.O. Schmidt, Oak Wood Leather, Jugendstil, 1898-1900
By Adolf Loos, Friedrich Otto Schmidt
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A corner armchair designed by Adolf Loos (1870-1933) and manufactured by Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Vienna, Austria, circa 1900. The condition of the wood is very good. The leather seat...
Leather, Wood
$3,800
H 41 in W 26 in D 55 in
Antique French Metal Campaign Chaise Chair with Custom Brazilian Cowhide Cushion
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A beautiful antique metal campaign chaise lounge from France. The chaise can be positioned into three different positions - as a chair, a traditional chaise, and a flat daybed. We custom made three cushions from our gorgeous ivory cowhide. Each cushion is generously stuffed with down feathers and a little synthetic to hold the shape. The cushions are attached with leather straps. We adore this one of a kind piece. Perfect for a sunny bedroom! Dimensions as a chaise with back...
Metal
English Oak Bobbin Corner Chair
Located in Faversham, GB
A superb oversized Victorian bobbin corner chair in oak with a freshly upholstered calico seat cushion. The double railed ladder back rest with si...
Calico, Oak
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...