Scandinavia’s biggest design event, 3daysofdesign, just finished, where designers from all over the world came together to celebrate great design. As part of Scandinavia, Norway seemed eager to share the spotlight with neighbors Denmark and Sweden, who have long led the global design conversation. This year marks a milestone for Norwegian design as the industry came together to present a national exhibition at 3daysofdesign 2025 for the first time.
The special showcase, called Inside Norway, featured 11 of the country’s top brands and gave emerging designers a platform for international recognition. Much like Norway’s celebrated architecture, known for its simplicity and elegance, these brands stood out by blending practical functionality with aesthetic beauty. The exhibition is telling the world how much Norwegian design has to offer.
One of our favorite designs at the event was Torbjørn Bekken’s famous Veng dining chair. Eikund has brought this chair back, and people are loving it just like before. We talked to Eikund about the brand’s idea of Norwegian design. Eikund said, “We want to bring old Norwegian designs back and help them become famous around the world. Norwegian design history is important to us. We look for great old pieces from the 1950s and 60s and give them a new chance.”
Eikund calls itself a treasure hunter. “Sometimes we see a picture of a chair and try to find out its story. Other times, we look through old drawings to find special things. When we find something good, we search for the real chair – sometimes in old shops or by talking to people. We also work with the families of the original designers to make sure we get it right.” Because of Eikund and events like Inside Norway, more people are learning about Norway’s great design history.
Formfin shared its success with the lounge collection of chairs. “We received a good response for our lounge collection,” the brand noted, emphasizing the blend of Norwegian craftsmanship and a modern, minimalistic aesthetic that has defined Norwegian design for decades. The Rost lounger folds away effortlessly when you need openness and unfolds beautifully when comfort calls.
Sustainability was also at the forefront, with recyclable materials, replaceable parts, and a focus on long product life. The concept of “Slow Furnishing” is quickly gaining attention as a new trend, reflecting a thoughtful approach to quality and longevity in furniture design.
Another standout design from the ‘Inside Norway’ exhibition is the Norrköping 02 table by Norwegian brand Fjordfiesta that reflects the designer Pritzker Prize-winner Sverre Fehn’s rational and poetic approach to architecture. Both the stool and the table were designed for Villa Norrköping in Sweden and nod to the Greek cross shape of the house.
Meanwhile, the launch of the Less sofa upholstered in a new textile marks an important milestone in LK Hjelle’s ongoing mission to highlight Norwegian collaborations and local production. Developed in collaboration with artist Magne Furuholmen, the textile reflects its distinctive visual language. The project’s curator, Cathrine Edwards, has seen it as a unique opportunity to merge art, craftsmanship, and furniture design. She noted that the “textile is not just a surface but a bearer of meaning and artistic content.”
Also Read: Top 10 Table Designs Spotted at 3daysofdesign 2025
Another classic, the iconic Ekstrem chair by Terje Ekstrøm, has been reimagined in six new colors by Varier Furniture. First prototyped in 1972, it is not only known for its unique appearance, but also for the way it challenges the way we think about comfort, support, and movement.
When it comes to materials, Lundhs presented the Laft Table that explores a timeless aesthetic built using stone and wood. Inspired by traditional Norwegian log construction, the table uses stone and wood in a way that lets each material shine.
It is a collaborative creation with acclaimed design studio Hunting & Narud that described the collaboration as a natural fit: “Working with Lundhs felt organic from the start. Their deep connection to Norwegian material heritage aligned perfectly with our design values. We wanted to let the materials themselves tell the story—and with Lundhs Antique, the stone already has a powerful story of its own.”
Finally, Ekornes spotlighted its Stressless Urban and Stressless Office collections, crafted for contemporary living and workspaces. Designed and made in Norway, the Urban collection blends sleek aesthetics with ergonomic comfort, while Office chairs provide superior comfort for dynamic work environments.
