Designing for the body
Published: 11.12.2025
Images: Fredrikke Schrøder
People: Arve Ekornes, Mariana Sousa - Head of Design, Sindre Selvig - Stressless project Engineer
What makes a comfortable seat? We certainly know. Ekornes literally shaped the furniture world when the company developed the first Stressless® recliner, an iconic design that still retains every bit of its original desirability today. Now having honed and developed our craft over the past 50 years, we continue to produce Stressless® furniture that utilizes scientific research around the human body, setting a new standard of comfort with our innovative and luxurious designs.
As the furniture world evolves, so too does the commitment that Stressless® dedicates to ergonomic design and unrivalled comfort. Our dedication to research and innovation has been instrumental in shaping the brand and is what continues to motivate us today. This, combined with a quest for a more sustainable product and production is what makes a Stressless® chair so unique.
An elevated experience with the Plus-system
Stressless® started out with conversations. Enthusiastic debates between designers, engineers and product designers about what makes a truly comfortable chair. We have always believed furniture design to be important and have always aspired to the highest standards. The development of the Plus – system in the early 90s, for example, significantly enhanced the sitting experience and was created at a time when the market was shifting towards more affordable chairs. We were determined to continue to focus on function and comfort and despite facing considerable resistance during development, we created the Plus - system, which was entirely unique and ultimately elevated Stressless® comfort to a new level.
This commitment to comfort and research into how people use our furniture, alongside what we now know about the body’s need for movement whilst seated, has enabled us to produce the world's best recliner, delivering instant comfort, freedom of movement, pressure relief and body support.
However, for a product to be desirable and hold longevity in the market it must also deliver on aesthetic design. The customers must like what they see, and the product needs to fit seamlessly into their home. That is why designers have such a crucial role, and Ekornes have always had talented designers who have contributed significantly to the development of Stressless® furniture.
However, for a product to be desirable and hold longevity in the market it must also deliver on aesthetic design. The customers must like what they see, and the product needs to fit seamlessly into their home. That is why designers have such a crucial role, and Ekornes have always had talented designers who have contributed significantly to the development of Stressless® furniture.
- The goal is always to make the next chair better than the last. We know what Stressless® is and what it should represent, and we always strive to improve design, function, and comfort - as well as achieving greater quality and a product that is more environmentally sustainable, Sousa adds.
- Looking at innovation allows Stressless® to evolve in the future.
- Looking at innovation allows Stressless® to evolve in the future.
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