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.
Zabihi Collection Blue Over-Dyed Turkish Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th-century Turkish rug with overdyed in blue cotton back and zipper closure. Measures: 20" x 20".
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Zabihi Collection Green Vintage Anatolian Carpet
Located in New York, NY
One of our most interesting finds recently this eclectic one of a kind vintage Anatolian with a plain solid green field with two red horizontal red stripes on one end. The texture an...
Wool
Custom Genuine Shearling Pillow in Taupe Color
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom 18" square genuine shearling pillow in taupe color. Currently out of stock but available for custom order in different ...
Fur
Hand-Knotted Pearl Gray Wool Accent Pillow, Geometric Design, India
Located in Norwalk, CT
This new accent pillow of East-meets-West design aesthetic showcases a geometrical design with predominant pearl gray color. Hand made, using either 100% premium wool. This pi...
Wool
Custom Genuine Shearling Pillow in Cream Color
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom genuine 18" square shearling pillow in cream color. Currently out of stock but available for custom order in different sizes, colors, and fabrics. ...
Fur
Custom Genuine Shearling Pillow in Platinum Color
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom genuine shearling pillow in platinum color. Currently out of stock but available for custom order in different sizes, colors, and fabrics. Inquire with Venfield about custom...
Fur
Zabihi Collection Vintage Sofreh Kilim
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Kilim scatter sofreh flat-weave from the middle of the 20th century. 2'11'' x 5'5''
Wool
Zabihi Collection Brown Narrow Vintage Turkish Bolster Size Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Bolster size pillow made from a vintage Turkish Anatolian rug. Brown, orange, soft green, lavender accents Measures: 11'' x 24''.
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Vintage Turkish Anatolian Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Lumbar size pillow made from a vintage Turkish Anatolian rug. Measures: 16'' x 24''.
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Zabihi Collection Minimalist Turkish Kilim Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a vintage Turkish Kilim.
Wool, Cotton, Foam
$175Sale Price|23% Off
Sky Blue Turkish Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Double-sided pillow made from a vintage Turkish Kilim. 14'' x 21''
Hemp, Foam
Japanese Puckered Black Silk Pillow
Located in Chicago, IL
This hand-crafted pillow was designed by a local Chicago artist and textile historian who lovingly repurposes the vintage fabrics, garments and embroidery fragments she collects duri...
Linen, Silk
Bakone, Hand Embroidered Cushion by Jupe by Jackie
Located in Middelburg, NL
Black tone on tone cushion cover entirely embroidered by hand on high quality cotton. Cover only, duck feather fillers can be ordered seperately Standard size 65 x 65 cm. Customisable in other sizes, color combinations or fabrics on request. Based in the Netherlands and India's Uttar Pradesh...
Linen
Brick Red Turkish Modernist Carpet
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind mid-20th century Turkish modernist style rug in brick red. Border is in soft green Measures: 2'6" x 4'2".
Wool
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Zabihi Collection Blue Over-Dyed Turkish Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th century Turkish rug with blue cotton back and zipper closure. Its been over-dyed Measures: 13" x 23".
Wool, Cotton, Foam
$159Sale Price|20% Off
Minimal Mohair Lumbar Size Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
A pillow made with a Turkish Mohair rug. 15'' x 23''
Mohair, Foam
$276Sale Price / item|20% Off
Graph Nude, Hand Embroidered Cushion by Jupe by Jackie
Located in Middelburg, NL
Tone on tone cushion cover entirely embroidered by hand on high quality natural linen. Standard size 50 x 50 cm. Customisable in other sizes, colour combinations or fabrics on request. To visualise the customisation options, the images show you a variety without fringe embroidery...
Linen
Hand-Knotted Pearl Gray Geometric Wool Pillow, Minimalist Style
Located in Norwalk, CT
This new accent pillow of East-meets-West design aesthetic showcases a geometrical design with predominant pearl gray color. Hand made, using either 100% premium wool. This pi...
Wool
Sophisticated Square Velvet Pillow in Rich Smoked Taupe
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous pillow, realized in a rich smoked taupe hue, features the gentle luster characteristic of the finest velvet. Its color tone reads as both neutral, suggesting antiqued p...
Velvet
Striped Geometric Accent Pillow
Located in Utrecht, NL
Accent pillows add character to any piece of furniture and can be used to increase the aesthetic value of a room. They serve both an aesthetic and a fu...
Fabric
$680Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 20 in W 20 in D 5 in
Custom Mariano Fortuny Pillows, Cream & Gold Cotton, 20x20
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of custom pillows made with original cream & gold printed cotton Fortuny fronts and cream linen backs. Sparce and lyrical, the vines and flowers of Venezianina cascade down...
Cotton, Linen
Geometric Accent Pillow in Premium White Fabric
Located in Utrecht, NL
Accent pillows add character to any piece of furniture and can be used to increase the aesthetic value of a room. They serve both an aesthetic and a functional purpose, and in this c...
Fabric
Vintage Anatolian Velvet Pillow Cases, Mid-20th Century
Located in Istanbul, TR
They do not come with inserts but bags made to the size to accommodate insert materials. linen in the back zipper closure dry cleaning is recommended.
Metallic Thread
Suzani Lumbar Pillow Cases Fashioned from a Vintage Over Dyed Suzani
Located in Istanbul, TR
They do not come with inserts but bags made to the size to accommodate insert materials, mid-20th century. Linen in the back. Dry cleaning is recommended.
Cotton
Bouclette French Wool Accent Pillow Ecorce
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Bouclette French wool accent pillow Custom wool blend accent pillow with down insert Color: ecorce which is a dark elephant gray colored nubby boucle style pillow with a stitched edge, metal zipper closure. Size: 14” x 24...
Wool, Linen, Synthetic, Down
Custom Natural Shearling Sheep Lumbar Pillow
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Beautiful custom made real shearling sheep lumbar pillow in oatmeal natural color Size: 14" x 20" Backside is 100% pure belgian linen with hidden zipper closure Overlocked edge seams...
Sheepskin, Linen
Custom-Made Silk & Cashmere Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Cozy, custom-made pillow with a soft silk-and-cashmere fabric in an oyster gray colorway from S. Harris. The pillow is small in size and square in shape. T...
Silk, Foam, Down
$62Sale Price|40% Off
H 23.63 in W 13.78 in D 0.04 in
14"x24" Hand-Woven Kilim Cushion Cover. Striped Traditional Wool Accent Pillow
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Add a touch of history and warmth to your space with this vintage handmade Turkish wool kilim cushion cover. Crafted from authentic hand-knotted Turkish kilims, each piece is one-of-...
Wool, Cotton
$62Sale Price|40% Off
H 27.56 in W 15.75 in D 0.04 in
16"x28" Hand-knotted Wool Rug Lumbar Pillow Cover. Turkish Accent Pillow Cover
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Add a touch of history and warmth to your space with this vintage handmade Turkish wool rug cushion cover. Crafted from authentic hand-knotted Turkish rugs, each piece is one-of-a-ki...
Wool, Cotton
$250Sale Price / item|58% Off
H 16 in W 16 in D 5 in
Luxurious Down Filled Genuine Raccoon Throw Pillows
Located in Bronx, NY
Luxurious down filled genuine Raccoon throw pillows. The furs have been fully refreshed are in great condition and filled with 50/50 down/down feathers. Six of the backs are finished...
Kilim Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a solid color Turkish Kilim. 16'' x 16''
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Zabihi Collection Large Distressed Turkish Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow from a distressed Turkish rug. 19'' x 20''
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Zabihi Collection Vintage Persian Sofreh Kilim
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Kilim scatter sofreh flat-weave from the middle of the 20th century. 4'2'' x 4'4'' Sofrehs are woven by Persian tribes as part of the dowry, used as floor spreads...
Wool
Vintage African Mali Mud Cloth Pillows with Original Fringe
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage African Mudcloth pillows with original fringe details a deep burnt orange rust color, with off white arrow pattern, and features original fringe details from the original mat...
Cotton, Linen
Vintage Turkish Rug Pillow in Off White with Brown Stripe
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Unique pillow has been made with a Turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white woven through. The face is fully lined, with a coordinating backing in a solid f...
Wool, Cotton, Hemp
Vintage Turkish Hemp Rug Pillow Cover in Off White
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Unique pillow has been made with a Turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white woven through. The face is fully lined, with a coordinating backing in a solid f...
Wool, Cotton, Hemp
Vintage Turkish Hemp Rug Pillow Cover in Off-White with Stitching
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage Turkish hemp rug pillow cover in off-white with stitching Unique pillow has been made with a Turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white woven through...
Wool, Cotton, Hemp
Vintage Turkish Rug Pillow in Off White
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Unique pillow has been made with a Turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white woven through. The face is fully lined, with a coordinating backing in a solid f...
Wool, Cotton, Hemp
Vintage Turkish Rug Hemp Pillow Cover in Off-White
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Unique pillow has been made with a Turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white woven through. The face is fully lined, with a coordinating backing in a solid f...
Wool, Cotton, Hemp
Vintage Off-White Turkish Rug Pillow Cover
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage off-white Turkish rug pillow cover Unique pillow has been made with a Turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white wov...
Wool, Cotton, Hemp
Vintage Turkish Rug Pillow Cover Off-White
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage Turkish rug pillow cover off-white Unique pillow has been made with a Turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white wov...
Wool, Cotton, Hemp
Vintage Turkish Hemp Rug Lumbar Pillow
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Unique pillow has been made with a turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white and brown stripes woven through. The face is fully lined, with a coordinating ba...
Cotton, Hemp