Gift Edit 2022

40 of the Best Minimalist Gifts for Friends and Fam Who Like to Keep Things Simple

updated Dec 14, 2022
Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
Stylish scandinavian living room with design mint sofa, furnitures, mock up poster map, plants and elegant personal accessories. Modern home decor. Open space with dining room.
Credit: FollowTheFlow | Getty Images

This feature is part of Apartment Therapy's Gift Edit, our editor-curated collection of gift ideas for every occasion. Need more inspiration? Check out all our guides here.

With so many different design tastes out there, there’s room for all kinds of interior styles — maximalism, monochrome, mid-century, you name it. But there’s really something to be said about the minimalism decor movement, which perfectly complements a simple, clutter-free lifestyle. To some, the concept of minimalism may come off as inaccessible and unattainable. But at its core, it’s all about shopping with intention and curating the pieces you really need or love. As Marie Kondo says: Only buy what “sparks joy.”

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On that note, when festive occasions like housewarmings, anniversaries, and more roll around, what do you buy the less-is-more, don’t-get-me-anything types on your shopping list? We rounded up some of the best minimalist home gifts for friends, family, coworkers, and more. From space-saving double-duty finds to modern kitchen staples that still allow for fuss-free living, there are plenty of useful, joy-sparking presents to be found across the internet. Keep reading for our top picks for the minimalist on your shopping list.

1 / 40
Etsy
$48.00

Not only will this dock station prevent your giftee's nightstand from becoming a wire-filled mess, it will also add a dose of calmness and serenity in the form of a simple living plant. The base is crafted from maple wood, and the ceramic planter is available in four chic, neutral hues.

2 / 40
Jenni Kayne Home
$125.00

The spacious Woven Storage Basket from Jenni Kayne comes in two sizes that are large enough to hold laundry, towels, throws, and even a potted plant. Woven with banana leaves, it's a simple, classic storage solution that never falls out of fashion. "This basket is so good!" says one reviewer. "It looks beautiful in my living room, and I can literally throw all six of my throw blankets into the basket and it hides them away, no folding or stuffing required."

3 / 40
Amazon
$199.00

This Stella Falone cutting board is understated yet elegant. Made from durable ebony wood, it not only offers your giftee a solid spot for slicing, dicing, and chopping, it's pretty enough to use for serving, too. It's even reversible, with a marbled motif on one side and solid black on the other. Translation: You'll be gifting two cutting boards and two serving trays all in one, high-quality piece.

4 / 40
From our partner
QVC.com
$122.78

Even though most people check the time on their phones nowadays, analog clocks will never go obsolete, in part because they make such great wall decor. Case in point: this farmhouse-style clock, which features a rustic iron base and jute rope details. The receiver can hang this piece anywhere they like, whether that's in the bedroom, above the fireplace mantel, or in the front entryway.

5 / 40
Cadence
$76.00
was $84.00

With these streamlined, editor-favorite modular travel capsules, your giftee can showcase their signature style even when they're on the road. The containers are magnetic, compact, and leakproof, and they adhere to TSA size regulations for carry-on liquids — aka they're the perfect minimalist solution for neatly toting toiletries, medications, and other essentials.

6 / 40
Bloomscape
$79.20
was $99.00

Rubber trees are easy to care for and grow quickly, and this deep burgundy variety is especially stunning. It complements the minimalist style but still offers a punch of personality and a dash of greenery. The result? A space that looks and feels clean and sophisticated.

7 / 40
West Elm
$40.00

West Elm is a treasure trove of minimalist-friendly gifts. Case in point: these stoneware oil and vinegar dispensers. Whether on the counter for cooking or the table for serving, this two-bottle set will up the style factor in any home. The bottles feature a matte, slightly textured finish and are topped with acacia wood lids, offering a subtle mix of natural materials.

8 / 40
Amazon
$50.00
was $63.00

Durable, affordable, and modern, the Umbra Triflora Hanging Planter is a great present for a minimalist who's short on square footage but still wants to add a pop of greenery to their space. Your giftee can mount it to the wall or ceiling to display three hanging planters with anything from succulents in the bedroom to fresh herbs near a sunny window.

9 / 40
Parachute
$123.00

With the ability to float a fragrance across 500 square feet and look elegant while doing it, the Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser made the cut for our list of Best Essential Oil Diffusers. The porcelain exterior is a discreet — yet visually pleasing when noticed — addition to a minimalist home design.

10 / 40
Etsy
$50.00

Everyone has that one friend with all-around impeccable taste — and who’s admittedly the hardest to cross off your shopping list. That’s where this stunning and simple piece from Etsy comes in. Handmade and highly unique, it's equal parts functional flower vase and elegantly artistic sculpture.

11 / 40
Our Place
$124.00
was $155.00

This new(ish) version of the editor-favorite Always Pan from Our Place is a game changer in the kitchen. It's smaller than the original and crafted from heirloom-quality cast iron, yet it's still just as much of a workhorse. It replaces a fry pan, skillet, saute pan, braiser, griddle, roaster, baking dish, spatula, and spoon rest, and it even comes with handy silicone grabbers that fit neatly inside when the pan's not in use.

12 / 40
Bala
$539.00

No one wants to compromise their environment for the sake of a good workout or sacrifice their own wellness in the name of interior design. That's why we love Bala, makers of exercise equipment and accessories that actually look chic (no, really!). There's probably a great-looking Bala product for whatever type of exercise your giftee is into, but we're partial to the Complete Home Gym Kit, a bundle of seven bestselling products.

13 / 40
Amazon
$32.96

A favorite of AT founder Maxwell Ryan, this compost bin somehow makes trash looks sleek. It's from one of our go-to brands, Joseph Joseph, and it's the perfect way for a minimalist to get into the composting game. (Bonus for you: It won't break the bank.)

14 / 40
Open Spaces
$148.00

For the minimalist organizer in your life, look no further than this chic under-bed storage set from Open Spaces. The cream canvas exterior is durable and stylish, with leather handles at the front for easy retrieval from under your bed. Fill 'em with out-of-season clothes, workout attire, or anything else you want to stash out of sight (but still keep accessible).

15 / 40
Papier
$35.00

This wellness journal is packed full of all the stuff you need to stay on track — and none of the nonsense you don't. List out daily intentions, monitor sleep, meal plan, and set aside time for self-care, all within the pages of this simple-yet-stunning hardcover shell.

16 / 40
Etsy
$22.50

Candles are a tried-and-true gifting staple, but it’s a safe bet your giftee doesn’t have one quite like this in their collection. AT-favorite Etsy seller Cai Cai Handmade specializes in ultra-cool, sculptural wax wonders, including this minimalist masterpiece that’s inspired by ocean waves. It comes in two colors — ivory or fog gray — and burns up to 45 hours, but it looks equally alluring as an unlit accent.

17 / 40
Afloral
$19.95
was $26.00

You know you’ve found a good vase when it looks just as pretty empty, as is the case with this highly giftable glass piece from AFloral. It's on the petite side, but the wavy geometric shape plays nicely with any flowers with droopy stems, like tulips or poppies.

18 / 40
Williams Sonoma
$195.00

This sophisticated electric kettle makes the perfect parent present (even if “minimalism” isn’t part of their vocab). It’s an absolute game changer for coffee or tea, allowing you to choose and monitor temperature via an LED screen on the base. Not to mention, it’s especially easy on the eyes and available in a handful of hues.

19 / 40
West Elm
$28.00

Happy hour happens anytime with these chic fluted glasses from West Elm. Whether your recipient likes to mix a post-work cocktail or just wants to feel like a class act while sipping seltzer, this stylish set will get the job done.

20 / 40
Garnet Hill
$199.00

Even minimalists get chilly — and this is the only throw they’ll ever need. Featuring an oversized knit like their favorite sweater, it comes in three neutral hues to blend into any bedroom or sofa situation.

21 / 40
Minted
$98.00

Art is fairly subjective, but we can pretty much guarantee this graphic piece will charm any minimalist on your gift list. Available in a slew of stylish shades — including mustard, blush, black, and blue — it's a dramatic pop that will enliven any room in their home.

22 / 40
West Elm
$60.00

This sleek, stylish rack is available in a brass or matte black finish that will wow any wine drinker, especially if they’re tight on storage space. Inspired by honeycomb shapes, this rack can fit up to six bottles at once — bonus points if you include one or two with the gift!

23 / 40
Coming Soon
$85.00

Coming Soon, a New York-based purveyor of unique high-end home finds, has just the thing for modern plant parents. Taking stoneware and terracotta planters up a notch, this modular rendition boasts a short or tall height. Both give off a stacked illusion, and the bottom ring actually doubles as a drainage saucer (read: It's cool and functional).

24 / 40
Artifact Uprising
$72.25
was $85.00

These barely there floating frames are gifts that everyone (especially the minimalists) on your list will love. Starting at $85 for 12" x 14” (and sizing all the way up to 42" x 30”), these acrylic accents beautifully border any image. There’s also a customizable option to upload photos of your own to be printed on matte paper.

25 / 40
Food52
$90.00

These luxe grinders have newlyweds, cooking connoisseurs, or design enthusiasts written all over them. Not only do they up the style ante on any tablescape, but they can also go way beyond salt and pepper, with the capability to crush anything from spices to nuts. Each one’s pretty sizable, too, meaning fewer refills and more seasoning to go around at dinner time.

26 / 40
Amazon
$25.00

Never underestimate the power of a sophisticated soap — and yes, that combo is actually a thing. Meet Petal, an eco-friendly hand soap kit featuring a minimalist, reusable aluminum bottle and zero-waste dissolvable soap pods (which smell amazing, btw). Gift the long-lasting dispenser in black, white, or silver, and pair it with plant-derived Citrus Ginger or Lemongrass soap refills. Because nothing's better than an elevated bathroom (or kitchen) counter.

27 / 40
West Elm
$150.00

In the midst of another chaotic year, your loved ones will be especially grateful for one thing: organization. That’s where Girl Friday comes in. These hanging, dry-erase, acrylic calendars make it simple to keep track of upcoming dates and deadlines (but easily wipe them off to start a new month). Opt for black or white text and choose one of two sizes: small and large.

28 / 40
Pottery Barn
$41.00
was $59.00

The real gift that keeps on giving? A fresh, well-scented space. This diffuser checks all the boxes, with earthy notes of oakwood, amber, peppercorn, and more. Small but mighty, it’s also about as design-forward as they come — the gray ceramic base screams totally chic.

29 / 40
Uncommon Goods
$68.00

Weirdly useful but completely cool, this multi-use bamboo fruit bowl is the future of fresh snack storage. Here’s how it works: Underripe fruit hangs out in the glass bowl, ready-to-go food sits on the lid, and bananas get their own hanging spot. It’s also designed to fit beneath kitchen cabinets, so even small kitchens can take advantage.

30 / 40
Williams Sonoma
$88.95

Behold, the MVP of reusable water bottles! Not only does this baby look as cool as can be, but it’s actually the very first self-cleaning bottle. That’s right, LARQ uses UV light technology (built into the cap) to fight off bacteria and help purify the water inside. Bonus points, it’s double insulated, so it can stay cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12. How’s that for a genius gift?

31 / 40
Parachute
$99.00

For supremely cozy gifts, tap into editor-favorite brand Parachute, revered for its top-notch bedding and towels. The brand’s oversized throw blanket has total crowd-pleasing potential. Crafted from Turkish cotton, it basically looks and feels like a massive sweater. Need I say more?

32 / 40
West Elm
$130.00

Filled with fruit or left empty, this sculptural bowl makes the perfect minimalist centerpiece. Gift it to someone who loves the look of Dutch still-life paintings, and they can use it to create their own real-life motif on a dining table or kitchen counter.

33 / 40
Ballard Designs
$25.50
was $30.00

This gorgeous glass cloche fits 120 matches and can instantly upgrade any coffee table tableau or mantel vignette. Take it one step further and throw in their favorite candle, too.

34 / 40
Food52
$60.00

Give your favorite bibliophile these sleek steel bookends — which come in three sizes and four different hues — along with the newest must-read bestseller. The set brings vibrant organization to any home, whether it's holding up cookbooks on the counter or page-turners on a shelf.

35 / 40
Amazon
$97.36
was $125.00

A coffee table book may feel impersonal, but every design-forward friend can appreciate "Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style." A clean, neutral cover makes this book easy to style in any space, plus it’s totally worth flipping through. The 464-page tome dives into the famed magazine’s archives for 100 years of design inspo.

36 / 40
West Elm
$29.00

Consider your holiday host gift (and their coffee table) covered. You can’t go wrong with contemporary coasters, but the color options and gold-leaf details make this set of four a total standout. They’re each painted by hand — and no one will ever guess they cost less than $30.

37 / 40
Etsy
$90.00

Another AT-favorite Etsy seller, KOMOLAB puts a modern spin on everyday essentials. The shop’s maple wall rack — one of Etsy’s Picks, btw — does triple duty as a mail slot, coat rack, and key holder.

38 / 40
Nordstrom
$40.00

One of my all-time favorite little luxuries, Diptyque candles may not fall under the need-to-have minimalism mantra, but they’re definitely practical, especially in the forever-popular Baies scent. Once your loved one has burned through the 60-hour candle, they can keep the glass vessel forever as decor.

39 / 40
Uncommon Goods
$99.98
was $125.00

Give the gift of a soothing at-home ambiance, courtesy of this color-changing LED lamp. Powered by remote control, the sleek piece (which fits perfectly in any corner) touts more than 300 effects and 16 million colors (yes, really!). Your giftee can create a sunset illusion with just the touch of a button or play around with solid hues — the possibilities are endless!

40 / 40
Terrain
$98.00

Terrain, Anthropologie’s sister site, has just what your minimalist friends and family need to lean into the “clean space, clean mind” lifestyle: durable, stylish leather baskets. Treat someone in your life to one of these rectangular or square beauties, and you'll be giving the gift of beautiful, put-anywhere modern storage.