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.
20th Century Italian Minimalist Furniture
Iron, Brass, Bronze, Copper
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Furniture
Brass
1960s Belgian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Wicker, Oak
Mid-20th Century Indian Minimalist Furniture
Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Limestone
1950s French Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Minimalist Furniture
Synthetic, Natural Fiber
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Marble
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Chrome
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Limestone, Composition, Cement, Concrete, Stainless Steel
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Glass
1970s French Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Metallic Thread
2010s Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Limestone, Composition, Cement
1980s Swedish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble
1980s Danish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Acrylic
1970s Czech Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Beech, Bentwood
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Brass, Copper, Steel, M...
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Birdseye Maple
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Chestnut
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete, Stainless Steel
2010s French Minimalist Furniture
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Glass
1970s Danish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Slate, Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Metal, Bronze, C...
20th Century Minimalist Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Brass
2010s French Minimalist Furniture
Bronze
1960s German Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Opaline Glass, Teak
1970s French Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Glass, Lucite
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Furniture
Brass
2010s French Minimalist Furniture
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Minimalist Furniture
Wood
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Brass, Copper, Steel, M...
1980s French Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper, ...
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Other
Mid-20th Century Italian Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Greek Minimalist Furniture
Opaline Glass, Leather
Mid-20th Century Japanese Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Cedar
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century Dutch Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Bronze, Steel, Metal, B...
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Plastic, Acrylic
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Ash, Walnut