Minimalist Furniture
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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 1900s Antique Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Marble
Early 2000s Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Beech
1960s Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Walnut
2010s Mexican Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Upholstery
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
1990s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Glass
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary European Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Poplar, Burl
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Poplar, Burl
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Poplar, Burl
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Limestone, Composition, Cement
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Poplar, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Minimalist Furniture
Travertine, Marble
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Minimalist Furniture
Travertine, Marble
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Ash
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
2010s Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary South African Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
20th Century German Minimalist Furniture
Leather
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Glass
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Chrome
2010s Mexican Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Teak
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary South African Minimalist Furniture
Marble
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Metal, Brass, Bronze, C...
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete, Stainless Steel
2010s American Minimalist Furniture
Oak
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Furniture
Resin, Acrylic
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer
2010s Mexican Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Oak