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.
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Wood, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary British Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Marble
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Velvet, Faux Fur, Acrylic
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
1960s Japanese Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Elm, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Minimalist Furniture
Glass
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Steel
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Faux Fur, Wood, Ash
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Chrome
Early 2000s French Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
1980s German Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Walnut
2010s Romanian Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum, Steel
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Ash, Walnut
1960s German Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Greek Minimalist Furniture
Marble
2010s French Minimalist Furniture
Mirror, Walnut, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Dutch Minimalist Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century British Minimalist Furniture
Hardwood
2010s Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Brass, Steel
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Faux Fur, Ash
1970s Danish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
1940s French Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Stone
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Ceramic
1980s Danish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
1980s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Mirror
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Mirror
1980s Danish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Acrylic
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
1970s Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Minimalist Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Furniture
Smoked Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Steel
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Bronze, Steel, Metal, B...
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Mirror
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Mirror
2010s Portuguese Minimalist Furniture
Ash
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Mirror
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Ash, Wood, Acrylic, Faux Fur, Linen, Cotton, Fabric, Bouclé, Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Furniture
Ash, Wood, Faux Fur, Velvet, Cotton, Fabric, Bouclé, Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble
1990s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Murano Glass
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Marble