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.
Ellsworth Kelly Vintage 1965 Mid Century Modernist Lithograph Print " Vivian Bea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ellsworth Kelly Vintage 1965 Mid Century Modernist Lithograph Print " Vivian Beaumont Theater Lincoln Center " acrylic box frame Extra Large Poster Framed in a vintage custom acryli...
Acrylic, Paper
Rare Robert Creeley/David Roth 'Poster Poem' of Black Mountain College Interest
By David Roth
Located in Sharon, CT
Robert Creeley "The Boy" Poster Poem published 1968 by Edward Budowski (Aries Publications Buffalo N.Y.) This from a rare series including: Allen Ginsberg, Louis Zukofsky, Charles Olson...
Paper
Almir Mavignier Poster for Schwitters/Heyboer Show at the Ulm Museum
By Kurt Schwitters, Almir da Silva Mavingier
Located in New York, NY
Silkscreened poster for an exhibition of works by Kurt Schwitters and Anton Heyboer held at the Ulm Museum in Germany from March 19-April 23, 1961. Designed by Brazilian/German visua...
Metal
Almir Mavignier Poster for Anuszkiewicz/Mavignier Show at Studio f
By Richard Anuskiewicz, Almir da Silva Mavingier
Located in New York, NY
Silkscreened poster for a show of work by avant-garde artists Richard Anuszkiewicz and Almir Mavignier, held at Mark Fried’s Studio f in Ulm in May, 1966. Poster design by Brazilian/...
Metal
Almir Mavignier Poster for Morellet/Adrian Show at Studio F
By Studio F, Almir da Silva Mavingier, Francois Morellet
Located in New York, NY
Silkscreened poster for a show of work by avant-garde artists Francois Morellet and Marc Adrian, held at Mark Fried’s Studio f in Ulm in April, 1961. Poster design by Brazilian/Germ...
Metal
Rare Charles Olson/David Roth 'Poster Poem' of Black Mountain College Interest
By David Roth
Located in Sharon, CT
Charles Olson's "The heart is a clock" Poster Poem published 1968 by Edward Budowski (Aries Publications Buffalo N.Y.) in a numbered edition of 25-this i...
Paper
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Original Vintage Art & Exhibition Poster, 'Vasarely Chateau de Culan', 1975
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Victor Vasarely was a French-Hungarian artist credited as the grandfather and leader of the Op Art movement. Utilising geometric shapes and colourful graphics, the artist created com...
Paper
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Bally Gid Femme, Small Format, Original Vintage Poster, 1976
By Raymond Gid
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Bally Gid Femme, small format - original vintage poster, 1976 Artist: Raymond Gid Year: 1976 Dimensions: 40 x 60 cm Condition: Good F...
Paper
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Bally Gid Homme, Original Vintage Poster, 1976
By Raymond Gid
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Bally Gid Homme, original vintage poster, 1976 Artist Raymond Gid Year 1976 Dimensions 125 x 165cm. Condition Good.
Paper
$4,851
H 39.38 in W 27.96 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Australian Airline Travel Poster for Qantas - At Your Command!
By Mandson
Located in London, GB
Original vintage travel advertising poster for Qantas super service at your command! Australia's international airline Qantas Empire Airways Ltd in association with British Overseas Airways Corporation BOAC and Tasman Empire Airways Ltd. Great mid century illustration featuring a smartly dressed smiling lady walking past a line of Qantas cabin crew wearing blue uniform with suitcases bearing luggage labels on the side, a man in a brown suit and hat following her and more passengers disembarking a Qantas Lockheed Constellation plane with an Australian flag...
Paper
Concert Poster of Sun Ra at Larrys Hideaway
Located in Long Island City, NY
Concert poster of Sun Ra on tour at Larry's Hideaway in Ontario, Canada, in September 1983.
Wood, Paper
$1,580
H 24.5 in W 31.25 in D 1.5 in
1964 Ellsworth Kelly Lithograph For Derrière le Miroir Magazine, Galerie Maeght
Located in Doraville, GA
A color lithograph double leaf for the French art magazine, Derrière le Miroir, number 149, designed by Ellsworth Kelly (American, 1923 – 2015). This unsigned three-color lithograph ...
Paper
1973 The Who - Live at Cow Palace Original Vintage Poster
By David Singer
Located in Winchester, GB
Fantastic poster promoting The Who live in concert at the iconic Cow Palace in California, USA. Presented by Bill Graham, the concert was held November 20th and was the first stop on...
Paper
David Hockney Exhibition Poster
Located in Philadelphia, PA
David Hockney exhibition poster from 1981 paintings and drawings for the Metropolitan operas parade a French Triple Bill. Poster was ...
Paper
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" vintage movie poster, 1975
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Original "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" vintage movie poster from 1975. 28" x 22" creasing and folds visible - unframed - will look amazing once fr...
Paper
Poster for a Paris Gallery Show for The Orient Express
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A vibrant vintage poster for a July 1981 Exhibition at Musée des Duncan in Paris for the artist Éléonora having to do with paintings relating to the Orient Express. An active street ...
Oak, Paper
Original Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe 1971 Poster for Tate Museum
By Andy Warhol
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and Original Poster for 1971 Warhol Tate Museum Exhibition. The poster is Marilyn 1964, silk screen by Warhol. In very good condition for the age. No Rips or Tears. A grea...
Paper
$10,396
H 38.98 in W 24.41 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Train Travel Poster Cambridge LNER Punting King's College
Located in London, GB
Original vintage travel poster for Cambridge issued by the London North Eastern Railway LNER featuring an elegant Art Deco design depicting people in fashionable summer dress punting...
Paper
$895
H 37.13 in W 25.13 in D 0.75 in
Rare Charles Eames Herman Miller "Design of the Century" Advertising Poster
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare Charles Eames "Design of the Century" advertising poster By Herman Miller USA, circa 1999 Measures: 25.13"W x 0.75"D x 37.13"H. Excellent condition.
Oak, Paper
1995 Georgia O'Keeffe - The Newark Museum Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Gorgeous poster created in 1995 depicting her 1943 artwork "White Flower on Red Earth", this poster was created to promote works of the great Georgia O'Keeffe at the Newark Museum in...
Paper
$1,250
H 40 in W 25 in D 0.07 in
"Dublin Horse Show" Pan American Vintage Poster by Olive Whitmore, 1954
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is an original vintage travel poster issued by Pan American World Airways in 1954, promoting Dublin, Ireland as one of the airline’s premier international destinations. The p...
Paper
Sol Lewtt, Wall Drawings Poster
By (after) Sol LeWitt
Located in New York, NY
Poster for an exhibition of Sol Lewitt wall drawings held at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem in September 1975. Subtitled “Red, blue and yellow lines from sides, corners and the cente...
Paper
Sold
H 22.45 in W 15.36 in D 0.4 in
Original Vintage Exhibition Poster, "Dessin du cri a L'ecrit", 1982
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Original Vintage Exhibition Poster, "Dessin du cri a L'ecrit", 1982 ARTIST Unknown YEAR 1982 CONDITION Good FORMAT Un-linen backed DIMENSIONS 57 x 39 cm.
Paper
Sold
H 33.86 in W 21.66 in D 0.4 in
Original Vintage Exhibition Poster, Chillida, 'Museo De Arte Abstracto Español'
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Original Vintage Exhibition Poster, Chillida, 'MUSEO DE ARTE ABSTRACTO ESPAÑOL' "Eduardo Chillida is best known for his monumental sculptures that turn rigid, unforgiving materials such as iron, steel, and granite into interconnected, often organically curved forms. The artist—whose practice also included printmaking, drawing, and wood and plaster sculpture—took inspiration from his travels around Italy, Greece, and France as well as the industry, architecture, agriculture, and landscape in his native Basque region. Chillida won the Grand International Prize for Sculpture when he represented Spain at the Venice Biennale in 1958. His work has been exhibited in New York, London, Tokyo, Barcelona, Basel, and Paris, among other cities. His sculptures have sold for seven figures at auction and belong in the collections of the Kunstmuseum Basel, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Tate." ARTIST Chillida DIMENSIONS 86 x 55...
Paper
Jackson Pollock Original Vintage Exhibition Poster, MOMA, New York
By (after) Jackson Pollock
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Jackson Pollock original vintage exhibition poster, MOMA, New York Paul Jackson Pollock was an American painter and a major figure in the abstract expr...
Other
Bally Gid Homme, Small Format, Original Vintage Poster, 1976
By Raymond Gid
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Bally Gid Homme, small format - Original vintage poster, 1976 Artist Raymond Gid Year 1976 Dimensions 40 x 60 cm Condition Good Form...
Paper
Sold
H 30.25 in W 24.25 in D 1 in
Josef Albers, Homage to the Square Whitney Museum of American Art, 1972
By Josef Albers
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Screen printed exhibition poster after German/American artist Josef Albers. "Homage to the Square: Whitney Museum of American Art", 1972. Printed by Pace Editions, NYC. This poster was created for Albers' exhibit at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City in 1972. Photographed with Eero Saarinen Knoll Diamond chair and Legardo Tackett...
Paper
Large Early 20th Century French Morphopsychology Chart
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A large graphic chart on heavy paper, perfect for framing. The chart represents the work of the French scientist Claude Sigaud who distinguished constitutional types as (1) MUSCULAIR...