As the furniture world evolves, so too does the commitment that Stressless® dedicates to ergonomic design and unrivalled comfort. Their dedication to research and innovation has been instrumental in shaping the brand and is what continues to motivate them today. This, combined with a quest for a more sustainable product and production is what makes a Stressless® chair so unique.
Designing for the body
Published: 20.10.2025
Images: Fredrikke Schrøder
People: Arve Ekornes, Mariana Sousa - Head of Design, Sindre Selvig - Stressless project Engineer
What makes a comfortable seat? Ekornes certainly know. They literally shaped the furniture world when they developed the first Stressless® recliner, an iconic design that still retains every bit of its original desirability today. Now having honed and developed their craft over the past 50 years, Ekornes continue to produce Stressless® furniture that utilizes scientific research around the human body, setting a new standard of comfort with their innovative and luxurious designs.
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. The people behind Stressless® 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 in a time when the market was shifting towards more affordable chairs. Stressless® were determined to continue to focus on function and comfort and despite facing considerable resistance during development, 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 their furniture, alongside what we now know about the body’s need for movement whilst seated, has enabled Stressless® 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.
The design team is constantly gaining information about comfort, ergonomics, and function. - 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.
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