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.
$17,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Vintage Bernhardt for Bloomingdale’s Sectional Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant sectional sofa, a high-end collaboration between Bernhardt and Bloomingdale’s, exemplifies sophisticated transitional design. Upholstered in a beautifully textured tan f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$16,000 / set
H 29 in W 85.25 in D 32.5 in
Vintage Walnut Sectional Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Discover a masterpiece of 1960s American design with this stunning Adrian Pearsall sectional sofa, crafted for Craft Associates. This is more than seating, it’s a statement piece tha...
Fabric, Formica, Walnut, Lacquer
$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
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sectional Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sectional Sofa Sectional consist of 6 pieces plus two ottomans. Multiple sections of sofa retain Craft Assoc. labels. Each ottoman measures- 3...
Upholstery
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
This pair of expertly restored small-scale armchairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino features tapered oak legs and rich Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca Suri Zibelinado upholstery in Aube...
Fabric, Oak
$14,700 / set
H 26.58 in W 84.26 in D 29.93 in
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate 'Down' Sectional Sofa
By Rossi di Albizzate, Carlo Bartoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, sectional sofa model 'Down', fabric, lacquered wood, Italy, 1973 This design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies – a bright and bold era...
Fabric, 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 Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
Vintage 1970s 9-Piece Curved Modular Sofa Sectional
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Remarkably well preserved nine‑piece modular sofa sectional from the late 1960s–1970s. The set includes seven standard modular chairs and two wedge‑shaped corner modules, offering a ...
Velvet
Vintage Monumental Bernhardt Brown Leather Ushaped Pit Sectional
By Bernhardt
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, six pieces sectional you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sectional is statement p...
Leather, Wood
$14,400
H 29.53 in W 105.52 in D 105.52 in
Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' Sectional Sofa
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' modular sofa, fabric, plastic, Austria, design 1972 Stunning modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte. This s...
Fabric, Plastic
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Sectional Sofa for Craft, 1970s
By Craft, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
A monumental Adrian Pearsall sectional sofa for Craft. This sectional sofa can be arranged in multiple configurations, as shown in the images...
Upholstery
Vintage Postmodern Beige Leather 6 Piece Modular Sectional Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Lane HTB custom ordered 6 piece modular Post Modern Sectional Sofa. Single owner, custom ordered in cream/beige leather in 1987 and rarely used. Great lines and silhouette similar It...
Leather, Fabric
$2,921Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 36 in W 150 in D 60 in
Vintage French Marie Antoinette Sectional Sofa
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Satin, Wood
$15,900 / set
H 30 in W 33 in D 32 in
Pair of Italian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Organic Modern Armchairs / Lounge Chairs Designed by Gio Ponti for "Casa e Giardino" and Presented at the VI Triennale di Milano, 1936....
Upholstery, Walnut
$12,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30 in W 222 in D 102 in
Scrumptious 4 Piece Leather Non Stop Style Serpentine Sectional Sofa Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious 4 piece black leather "Non-Stop" style serpentine sectional sofa. If you have the room for this huge sectional sofa it will be a show stoppe...
Leather, Wood
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
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