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.
$17,280 / item
Square Arm Loose Cushion Sectional Sofa, Customizable
Located in Greenwich, CT
About This Piece This customizable sectional sofa features square arms that are proportioned with the same thickness as the seat cushions, makin...
Wood
Patricia Urquiola for Moroso "Malmo" White Leather Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Patricia Urquiola for Moroso "Malmo" White Leather Sofa, Inner steel frame covered with injected polyurethane foam upholstered with origin...
Leather
Extremely Rare Lounge Chairs Designed by Mangiarotti for the 'Casa Vitale' 1969
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful and extremely rare pair of sculptural form modular lounge chairs designed by architect, designer and sculptor Angelo Mangiarotti in 1969 for the 'Casa Vitale' in Milan, Ita...
Steel
Italian Sectional Sofa in Red Orange Patterned Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sectional sofa, fabric, beech, Italy, 1970s. This Italian modular sofa is designed in the seventies and contains six elements. Therefore, the sofa becomes very versatile as it allow...
Fabric, Beech
Elegant Harvey Probber Two-Part Sectional Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
A well-tailored, nicely proportioned and architecturally clean-looking design this two-piece sectional sofa by Harvey Probber. With even arms, tufted seat cushions and six loose cush...
Upholstery, Wood
Large Curved Sectional Sofa by Weiman
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic and impressive sectional sofa by Weiman in luxurious purple fabric, with brown tone two tier base, and armrest. . The sectional consists of four pieces , two straight, the c...
Upholstery
$10,977 / set
H 28.75 in W 31.5 in D 34.65 in
Mario Bellini Bambole Chairs, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A Mario Bellini Le Bambole pair of chairs, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s, newly upholstered in luxurious 100% alpaca. Dims: H 73cm D 88cm W 80cm SH 40/41cm
Alpaca
1960s "Skyscraper" Design Velvet Sectional Sofa
Located in New York, NY
1960s "Skyscraper" design velvet sectional sofa. There are eight sections to the sofa (including the two ottomans). Original upholstery. 2 Ottomans:...
Velvet
1969, Bruno Mathsson for Dux, Pernilla Lounge Chair
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$7,770Sale Price / set|26% Off
H 26 in W 38 in D 40 in
Soriana Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969 for Cassina, the Soriana lounge chair is a piece of design history. Here we have a completely original vintage example in original velvet co...
Steel
$3,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 40.16 in W 37.41 in D 31.5 in
Moroso FJORD Armchair by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
From a piece of seashell, which has been broken and smoothed by the waves, Patricia Urquiola has designed a collection of seats for both the home and public spaces. As the name sugge...
Steel
$15,995 / set
H 26 in W 165 in D 84.5 in
Milo Baughman Circular Sectional Sofa, Cream Upholstery, 1970
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Stamford, CT
Fabulous two piece circular sectional sofa by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. The original cream colored fabric seems to be an ultra suede. There are no flaws to the fabric. It is u...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Curved Sectional L Shaped Sofa
By Carsons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A curvy three piece sectional designed by Carson's Furniture and produced in the early 1980s. It features a unique over lapping cushion design. Fabric is original, and dated, but usa...
Fabric
Danish Modern Teak Sectional Sofa by Peter Hvidt
By France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This stunning two-piece sectional sofa represents the pinnacle of Danish modern design, created by the renowned design duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkos...
Chrome
Gorgeous Harvey Probber Two-Part Sectional Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
A well-tailored, nicely proportioned and architecturally clean-looking design this two-piece sectional sofa by Harvey Probber. With even arms, tufted seat cushions and six loose cush...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 27.96 in W 118.12 in D 98.43 in
Modular Element DOMINO.18 Landscape Sofa by Dick Spierenburg for Montis
Located in Izegem, VWV
The DOMINO.18 element sofa was designed by Dick Spierenburg for the renowned Dutch company Montis. This set contains (LxWxH): 2 elements: 150 x 75 x...
Wool
Roche Bobois "Mah Jong" Modular Sofa by Hans Hopfer, 2000s
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Coronado, CA
A spectacular, mint condition, sprawling example of Hans Hopfer's "Mah Jong" sofa for Roche Bobois. This set consists of 12 elements-- 8 seat cushions and 4 back cushions. The possib...
Upholstery, Foam
Vintage German Black Leather Corner Sofa by Brühl & Sippold
Located in High Point, NC
A black leather corner sofa from Germany, by furniture designers Brühl & Sippold. The bed of the sofa is ample, raised upon silver feet. The ...
Chrome
Cassina 'Miloe' Modular Sofa by Piero Lissoni
Located in Antwerp, BE
Contemporary and Extremely comfortable landscape sofa by Piero Lissoni for Cassina Italy, 2016 This showroom model consists of a four-seat sofa...
Sold
H 20.87 in W 32.68 in D 33.86 in
Unique modular Sofa by Mangiarotti from the 'Casa Vitale', 1969 with certificate
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful and unique sculptural form five-piece modular sofa designed by architect, designer and sculptor Angelo Mangiarotti in 1969 for the 'Casa Vitale' in Milan, Italy. This sofa...
Steel