Home decorating is hard, especially the ominous task of filling up all of those big empty walls. Do you get one large piece of art? Build a gallery wall? Go for the college vibe and hang a boho tapestry?
As an adult, minimalist art is probably your best and safest bet to achieve stylish and sophisticated home decor. It’s easy to pair with other pieces since it’s on the simpler side, yet classic enough to stand alone and still elevate a room. Minimalist paintings never go out of style and they generally fit in well with any sort of decor vibe. They can be very cool yet somehow subtle at the same time. You’ll be able to move them from the bedroom to the living room or take them with you from one home to the next, which is exactly what you want when seeking out staples in art for your home. In terms of making a smart investment with the potential for long-term use, minimalist art is really the way to go.
Whether you want a minimalist painting with pops of color, a single line drawing in strictly neutrals or a relaxing photograph to bring some zen to your space, this list has some great options to dip your toe in the pool of minimalist art.
What Is Minimalist Art?
Minimalism means many things to different people. A lot of people use the term “minimalism” to describe their overall lifestyle, aesthetic preferences or approach to home decor. However, in the art world, minimalism has a more precise meaning. Specifically, it refers to a movement that began to become popular after World War II both in the United States and abroad.
In the 1960s, the minimalist art movement was a natural evolution of the abstract art world, and famous works by abstract expressionist artists like Mark Rothko were early inspirations. Rothko’s famous paintings certainly evoke minimalism, but they’re more properly placed within the abstract expressionism movement.
The minimalist movement included paintings, sculptures and even stage plays. Visually, it’s a movement based on geometric lines, shapes and angles. Minimalist art is particularly popular today among millennials, who prefer the straightforward appeal and modern sensibilities of minimalist artists.
Where To Buy Minimalist Art Prints for Your Home
If you’re reading this, we’re going to go ahead and assume that you are not in the market for a $40 million Mark Rothko painting, and are instead looking for stylish minimalist art to decorate your home. You can find plenty of minimalist paintings and photographs by contemporary artists on our favorite art websites such as Society6 and Art.com. You can also find reproductions of classic works such as “Blue Nude” by Henri Matisse. We’re also huge fans of up-and-coming artist Andy Blank, whose line drawings have earned him a huge following on Instagram. Blank also sells extremely reasonably priced artwork from his personal website.
We’ve collected some of our favorite minimalist art for sale online below. And if you still can’t find minimalist art prints that you like, check out this gallery of our favorite living room wall artwork for your home.
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Tree Ring Abstract IV Art Print
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Art.com You can find some of the best minimalist art prints on Art.com, which is full of elegant line drawings, paintings and photographs that will add a sophisticated touch to any room. Best of all, prints like this can be purchased for as little as $15.
This abstract interpretation of tree rings has a beautiful and earthy feel. While the color is muted, the intricate detail keeps it interesting enough to elevate any room. It also comes in multiple sizes and you can choose to purchase it pre-framed.
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Waves crashing on a black sand beach
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Society6 This beachy photography print is the perfect piece if you’re going for a minimalist, zen vibe. Beach photos always create a little calm, like you can hear the waves crashing through the image. The deep colors also make it a bit more unique and edgy than your average ocean art.
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‘Painted Apple’ Acrylic Painting Print on Wrapped Canvas
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair Minimalist art can still incorporate some color. This simple yet vibrant painted apple will add a classy pop of color to your favorite neutral room. You can even use the color variety to tie in other decor, like throw pillows or tabletop knick knacks.
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Andy Blank Belladonna
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Andy Blank You might already know Andy Blank from his popular Instagram, where his line drawings, paintings and photographs have earned the artist a fast-growing following. On his personal website, Blank also sells original and one-of-a-kind paintings and photographs for as little as $150. It’s part of his belief that art should be affordable and accessible.
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Abstract That Lava Paint by Oliver Gal
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair Modern and contemporary, this abstract black and white minimalist painting also adds some texture to any room. It’s simple yet intriguing and will easily compliment other pieces if you’re using it as part of a gallery wall.
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Blue Nude by Henri Matisse Art Print
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Society6 You can’t go wrong with Blue Nude. It’s a Matisse classic that all can appreciate, from art lovers to amateurs. It’s nude without being vulgar, and the blue has a sort of soothing effect. You can also choose from five different size options depending how much wall space you’re working with.
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Retro Record Player Icons
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Art.com If you’re going for more of a retro vibe, this cool print of a simplistic record player will fit right in. It doesn’t have too much going on, but just enough to attract some attention.
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Minimalist Black and White Sketch Art Set
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon If you’re looking for the simplest of sets to occupy more wall space and take the effort out of pairing pieces together yourself, this is a great option. Sketch art is minimalist without being boring, and the similar yet unique drawings with dainty lines in these three pieces compliment each other perfectly.
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Melancolia
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Minted This moody watercolor painting of a scene in the rain is sad in a beautiful kind of way. It’s sparse yet somehow brings meaning to the most basic of moments. There are also tons of framing options to compliment the piece and receive it ready to hang.
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Dalmation Minimalist Art Print
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Art.com For any dog lovers out there, this abstract interpretation of a Dalmatian will be a super cool addition to your home decor. The black and white nature of Dalmatians means that it will fit in well with any color scheme. It’s a minimalist print that’s still recognizable for what it is, in a very individualistic way. Nobody else will have anything like it.
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Sun in the dust. Variations 3
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Minted Another option if you want a simple pop of color. This piece started as a photograph of the sun in a sky with a thick haze of dust. The artist edited it, manipulating the values to create a very cool image based in reality.