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 French Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Metal, Brass, Bronze, C...
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Stone, Sheet Metal, Stainless ...
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Brass, Copper, Steel, M...
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
1960s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
2010s Swiss Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Glass
2010s Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Brass, Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century Austrian Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Limestone, Composition, Cement, Concrete, Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Steel
Late 20th Century Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Oak
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Steel
1970s Dutch Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Bouclé, Elm
Mid-20th Century German Minimalist Furniture
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Limestone, Composition, Cement
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
2010s Romanian Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
2010s Portuguese Minimalist Furniture
Ash
Mid-20th Century Indian Minimalist Furniture
Wood
2010s Romanian Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Chrome
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
1980s Dutch Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Leather, Wood
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s Romanian Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s Dutch Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Elm
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Italian Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary British Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
1980s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Glass, Plywood, Lacquer
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Steel
1960s French Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Minimalist Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Minimalist Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
20th Century Minimalist Furniture
Wood
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary British Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum