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 Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
2010s American Minimalist Furniture
Plywood
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Furniture
Wrought Iron
2010s Chinese Minimalist Furniture
Velvet
2010s Minimalist Furniture
Oak
2010s American Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Minimalist Furniture
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Furniture
Lucite
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Feathers, Beech
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary German Minimalist Furniture
Brass, Iron, Metal
Early 2000s French Minimalist Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Furniture
Ash, Hickory, Oak
1970s Swedish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Pine
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Walnut
2010s American Minimalist Furniture
Wool, Wood, Textile
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Limestone, Composition, Cement
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone
Late 20th Century American Minimalist Furniture
Chrome
2010s American Minimalist Furniture
Oak
1950s Spanish Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Leather, Pine
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Travertine, Marble, Iron
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Minimalist Furniture
Elm
2010s American Minimalist Furniture
Travertine
1970s Japanese Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Canvas
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Lacquer, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Minimalist Furniture
Wood
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Birch, Walnut, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Travertine
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Oak
2010s Asian Minimalist Furniture
Wood
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Brass
2010s British Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Brass, Sheet Metal
2010s Italian Minimalist Furniture
Birch, Oak, Plywood
1960s Swiss Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Moroccan Minimalist Furniture
Wool
1980s Japanese Vintage Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Metal
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Minimalist Furniture
Silk
2010s Turkish Minimalist Furniture
Marble, Stone
Late 20th Century Mexican Minimalist Furniture
Metal, Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century French Minimalist Furniture
Alabaster
2010s Chinese Minimalist Furniture
Ash
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Poplar, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
20th Century Italian Minimalist Furniture
Art Glass
2010s Chinese Minimalist Furniture
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary British Minimalist Furniture
Silk, Acrylic, Plaster
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Walnut, Oak
2010s South African Minimalist Furniture
Wood
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Furniture
Cement, Composition, Limestone, Concrete
2010s European Minimalist Furniture
Clay, Stoneware
2010s Romanian Minimalist Furniture
Aluminum
2010s Chinese Minimalist Furniture
Ash
2010s Mexican Minimalist Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century European Antique Minimalist Furniture
Wood, Paint, Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Minimalist Furniture
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Furniture
Steel
2010s Chinese Minimalist Furniture
Oak