Varier Furniture

What Varier Furniture does

Varier Furniture is an Oslo-based Norwegian furniture company that designs and produces premium ergonomic chairs built around the philosophy that movement while seated is essential for health and comfort. Founded in 1979 (with the formal corporate entity assuming stewardship of the design portfolio in 2006), the company sells a portfolio of 17+ active-sitting products spanning kneeling chairs (Variable, Variable Plus, Thatsit, Multi, Wing, Actulum), sit-stand chairs (Move, Move Compact), lounge chairs (Peel, Peel Club, Kokon, Kokon Club, Gravity, Ekstrem), and the Social dining chair. Core manufacturing technology centers on molded beech plywood—veneer layers combined, glued, and shaped under heat and pressure with an ash top veneer and water-based lacquers—combined with sustainable materials such as post-consumer polypropylene (55-75% in Social) and 100% recycled polyester textiles (ONE from Fidivi).

The product line is built on the proprietary "balans" concept (developed by Hans Christian Mengshoel in 1976 and refined by designer Peter Opsvik), which uses a forward-tilted seat with shin support to open the hip angle and promote natural spinal alignment. Collaboration with renowned designers—Peter Opsvik, Terje Ekstrøm, Snøhetta, Thomas Pedersen, Olav Eldøy—anchors a design heritage that has earned recognition including a 2002 DOGA Honorary Award and the 2023 Archiproducts Design Award and Sustainability Award for Social.

Varier operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model via varierfurniture.com (with worldwide shipping, free included freight, and configurable upholstery) augmented by a global network of authorized retailers accessible through a "Find a retailer" feature, plus a Milan showroom. Products are made to order in Europe (manufacturing in Poland, Romania, Estonia, Slovenia) with 2-6 week lead times, with select in-stock variants shipped in 5-14 days. Unit prices range from $479 (Variable Monochrome) to $8,799 (Kokon in premium upholstery), with most products carrying a 10-year guarantee and aftermarket revenue from spare parts and a re-upholstery service. The primary customer segments are residential consumers and remote/home office workers seeking movement-based seating, with a secondary design-conscious consumer persona drawn to Scandinavian design heritage.

Name

Varier Furniture

Legal name

Varier Furniture

Website

https://varierfurniture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oslo-based furniture company that designs and produces premium ergonomic chairs promoting active sitting, serving residential consumers and remote workers globally through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and a network of authorized retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ergonomic Furniture

NAICS

Household and Institutional Furniture Manufacturing (33712), Furniture Retailers (449110), Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing (3372)

SIC

Household Furniture (2510), Retail-Furniture Stores (5712), Office Furniture (2520)

akta.pro primary industry

Dining Room Furniture Retail (Dining Tables, Chairs, Bar Stools, Buffets/Sideboards) (CRAIAAAB)

Keywords

• Ergonomic chairs
• Kneeling chairs
• Active seating
• Scandinavian furniture
• Lounge chairs

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct Furniture Sales: Varier generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of ergonomic chairs via their e-commerce website. Products are made to order with prices ranging from $479 USD (Variable Monochrome) to $8,799 USD (Kokon). The company also sells spare parts and offers a re-upholstery service.
2. Retail Partner Sales: Products are available through authorized retailers globally, allowing customers to try chairs before purchasing through the 'Find a retailer' feature on the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Varier Furniture designs, manufactures, and sells a collection of ergonomic chairs built around the proprietary balans concept to invite movement while seated. The portfolio spans kneeling chairs (Variable, Variable Plus, Thatsit, Multi, Wing), pendulum and all-rounder chairs (Actulum, Move, Move Compact), multifunctional and lounge seating (Gravity, Ekstrem, Peel, Peel Club, Kokon, Kokon Club), and the Social dining chair designed by Snøhetta. Products are made to order in Europe from molded beech plywood, premium upholstery fabrics, and recycled materials, and are sold direct-to-consumer and through authorized retailers.

Product overview

Varier Furniture is an Oslo-based furniture company offering a collection of ergonomic chairs designed to invite movement while seated. The product portfolio centers on the Variable™ kneeling chair (original balans® concept from 1979) and includes several kneeling chair variants: Variable™ Plus (with backrest, 2021), Variable™ Plus Monochrome and Variable™ Monochrome (colorful 2024 releases using recycled polyester), Thatsit™ (adjustable for taller users), Multi™ (four adjustable seat angles), Wing™ (workspace chair with swivel base and wheels), and Actulum™ (pendulum movement chair). The lounge seating collection features Gravity™ (multifunctional reclining), Ekstrem™ (sculptural by Terje Ekstrøm), Peel™ and Peel™ Club (organic shaped loungers), Kokon™ and Kokon™ Club (Thomas Pedersen designs), plus Social® dining chair by Snøhetta (2023, made from recycled materials). Active sitting solutions include Move™ and Move™ Compact sit-stand chairs. Most products carry a 10-year or 5-year guarantee with free shipping and are made to order in Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Variable™ The original kneeling chair designed by Peter Opsvik in 1979. Built on the balans® concept with a tilted seat and curved runners, it supports movement and variation between kneeling and traditional postures. Made from beech plywood with an ash top veneer. Priced from $479 to $605 USD depending on upholstery and base finish.
• Variable™ Plus Advancement of the original kneeling chair featuring a backrest with upholstered cushion. Built on the balans® concept, the tilted seat opens hips and eases tension, encouraging gentle movement and shifts between kneeling and traditional postures. Priced from $679 to $899 USD.
• Variable™ Monochrome Colorful homage to the original kneeling chair with seamless wood-to-upholstery transitions. Upholstered in ONE textile from Fidivi (100% recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic waste), OEKO-tex certified. Same dynamic sitting experience as the original Variable™. Priced at $479 USD.
• Variable™ Plus Monochrome Colorful homage to the iconic Variable™ design with a backrest and upholstered cushion. Upholstered in ONE textile (100% recycled post-consumer plastic polyester), OEKO-tex certified. Same dynamic sitting experience as Variable™ Plus with a refreshed look. Priced at $679 USD.
• Thatsit™ Adjustable kneeling chair with back support, wider seat and larger frame. Adjustable in height and depth, with adjustable shin rests. Designed for taller individuals and ideal for long work and study sessions. Priced from $1,499 to $3,799 USD.
• Multi™ Kneeling chair with four adjustable seat angles supporting upright neutral posture. The highest position provides steep sitting almost as easy on the back as standing. Designed as a work chair by Peter Opsvik. Priced from $699 to $999 USD.
• Wing™ Kneeling chair designed for the workspace with an angled seat promoting upright posture. Features a swivel base with wheels for mobility, height adjustable (52-72cm seat height, for tabletops 74-90cm). Angled seat encourages spine and core engagement. Priced from $929 to $1,249 USD.
• Actulum™ All-rounder chair enabling effortless movement. Comfortable and versatile for workstations and dining rooms. Curved wooden runners create pendulum movement responding to the body's natural inclinations. Slim backrest with flexible joint. Priced from $999 to $1,199 USD.
• Gravity™ Multifunctional chair accommodating postures from kneeling to fully reclined. When reclined with legs elevated above the heart, the chair rocks with the breathing rhythm for a levitation-like relaxation experience. Made from beech plywood with an ash top veneer. Priced at $6,799 USD.
• Move™ Sit-stand chair offering the widest range of movement in the Varier collection. Enables seamless transitions from sitting to near-standing positions. Convex base follows natural movements and prompts active sitting with core engagement. Seat height 56-82cm for height-adjustable desks. Priced from $579 to $799 USD.
• Move™ Compact
• Ekstrem™ Iconic chair and functional sculpture by Terje Ekstrøm with soft inviting surface, varying depths, openings, and rounded edges. Allows free shifting of positions, stretching, and supported movement. Constructed of fabric-covered foam over a steel frame. Available in Knit by Devold and Gentle by Kvadrat upholstery. Priced at $4,999 USD.
• Social® Dining chair designed by Snøhetta supporting all moments around the table. Available in two variants: Social® Tilt (gentle rocking motion) and Social® Turn (swivel base for 360-degree movement). Made from 55-75% post-consumer polypropylene sourced from European household waste. Awarded the 2023 Archiproducts Design Award and Sustainability Award.
• Peel™ Elegant lounge chair inspired by the soft shapes of an orange peel. Gently embraces the body and invites relaxation. Features a 360-degree swivel base and responsive tilting mechanism. Includes a footrest and adjustable neck rest. Priced from $7,599 to $8,999 USD depending on upholstery (DUNES leather adds premium).
• Peel™ Club Sculptural lounge chair with an organic shape. 360° swivel base in aluminum with integrated tilting function that follows the body's natural movements. More compact than Peel™. Priced from $4,999 to $5,999 USD.
• Kokon™ Classic lounge chair by Thomas Pedersen with an organic shape and rounded edges that gently wraps around the body. 360-degree swivel base with tilting mechanism. Includes an adjustable headrest with weight at the back and a paired footrest. Priced from $6,999 to $8,799 USD.
• Kokon™ Club Compact lounge chair by Thomas Pedersen with soft rounded edges and an organic shape. 360° swivel base in aluminum with integrated tilting function. Elegant and comfortable, smaller version of Kokon™. Priced from $5,299 to $6,299 USD.
• Spare parts and re-upholstery service Service offering for Varier customers to order spare parts for their chairs and request a re-upholstery service, supporting product longevity and the brand's sustainability commitment to chairs lasting for decades.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products tested for use by individuals up to 110 kg
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Porsche (Porsche Studio Oslo)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Varier partnered with Porsche for a takeover at the Porsche Studio in Oslo. For a month, visitors could drop by, enjoy a coffee, and experience some of Varier's most loved chairs alongside Porsche's legendary 911. This partnership targets design-conscious consumers in a luxury context.
• SnøhettacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSnøhetta designed the Social chair (2023) - a dining chair supporting all moments around the table with two variants: Social Tilt (gentle rocking motion) and Social Turn (swivel base). Social Tilt won the 2023 Archiproducts Design Award and Sustainability Award. Snøhetta also curated the Varier textile collection with Kvadrat.
• Febrik/KvadratcoreTechnology or IntegrationVarier developed a collaborative relationship with Febrik during the last couple of years, working together on the latest rendition of the Ekstrem chair - Ekstrem in Gentle. Febrik is the side of Kvadrat Febrik that creates innovative knit textiles.
• Patina BerlinminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPatina Berlin specializes in reupholstering design classics. When Ekstrem came through their hands, they used it as an opportunity to look closer at materials, construction, and the ideas that continue to define the chair.
• ALET AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnne-Sophie Rosenvinge, founder of ALET Agency (landscape architect turned photographer), works with renowned design brands including Varier. Her studio is part of a collective at Frederiksgade 1 in Copenhagen representing talents within the Danish creative scene.
• Ingrid BredholtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuture Holds is an interdisciplinary design collaboration between Varier and Norwegian designer Ingrid Bredholt. The collaboration transcends borders between art, fashion and furniture, working without constraints of traditional chair design concepts.
• KvadratcoreTechnology or IntegrationKvadrat supplies premium upholstery fabrics for Varier chairs including Hallingdal, Vidar, Capture, Re-Wool, and Technicolour. Snøhetta curated the Varier textile collection in collaboration with Kvadrat. Febrik (Kvadrat brand) supplies the Gentle knit textile for Ekstrem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Steelcase: Global office furniture incumbent whose Leap, Gesture, and Series 1 chairs incorporate dynamic movement features that overlap Varier's value proposition. Steelcase competes in the same ergonomic-seating category but at enterprise volume with broader portfolio and dealer network.
• Muuto: Danish contemporary design brand offering Scandinavian designer chairs and lounge seating. Comparable to Varier on Scandinavian design heritage and premium contract/residential positioning, with broader product range and stronger contract furniture presence.
• Knoll: Modern design furniture company (Knoll, Muuto, DatesWeiser, Edelman Leather) with iconic seating (Wassily, Barcelona, Bertoia). Comparable to Varier on design-led lounge seating and contract market overlap, with much larger scale and broader portfolio including office systems.
• Vitra: Swiss design furniture brand with a portfolio of iconic lounge, dining, and office chairs (Eames, Panton, Meda). Comparable to Varier on the design/lounge side (e.g., Peel, Kokon, Ekstrem) and at Salone del Mobile, but operates at much larger scale with broader categories.
• Herman Miller (MillerKnoll): Aeron, Embody, Cosm, and the remastered ergonomic lineup make Herman Miller a broad incumbent in ergonomic and movement-supporting seating. Not a kneeling-chair specialist, but its active-tilt products increasingly overlap Varier's movement-first philosophy at much larger scale.
• Fritz Hansen: Danish heritage design brand selling premium chairs (Series 7, Egg, Swan) in Scandinavian design tradition. Comparable to Varier on design-led lounge and dining seating (Peel, Kokon, Social), with similar premium price positioning but broader furniture portfolio and global retail presence.

Direct peers

• HÅG (Flokk): Norwegian-origin ergonomic seating brand (HÅG, RH, Profim) under Flokk, making movement-promoting task and office chairs. Like Varier, HÅG roots in Scandinavian ergonomic design and competes in active-sitting, premium office seating—but at higher office-volume scale.
• Humanscale: Global leader in ergonomic office seating (Freedom, Liberty, World chairs), directly competing in the movement-friendly ergonomic category that Varier pioneered. Humanscale is a more commercialized, design-led peer operating at significantly larger scale and serving both corporate and home-office buyers.

Emerging players

• Fully (Fully Labs): Direct-to-consumer ergonomic chair and standing-desk brand targeting home-office buyers with Jarvis chairs and Buro seating. Comparable to Varier's home-office and remote-worker segment, but at lower price points and broader mainstream ergonomic positioning rather than niche kneeling chairs.
• Autonomous: DTC smart ergonomic chair and standing-desk brand (SmartChair Core, ErgoChair Pro) targeting remote workers and small businesses. Comparable to Varier's home-office and movement-promoting value proposition, but at significantly lower price points and via software/data-integrated positioning rather than design heritage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VarierFurniture
• Facebookfacebook.com/VarierFurnitureAS

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Varier Furniture