Sustainability has long been a defining feature of Scandinavian design, but at Stockholm Design Week 2025, it became the driving force behind some of the most forward-thinking innovations. Across showrooms, installations and exhibitions, designers explored circularity, responsible sourcing, and material longevity, reflecting an industry-wide shift towards more conscious design practices.

This year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair Talks programme reinforced this shift, with industry leaders discussing ways to reduce waste and embrace better production methods. The newly introduced Industry Talks series tackled pressing topics in sustainability and material innovation, with contributors such as Faye Toogood, Snøhetta and Emma Olbers leading the conversation. Meanwhile, the Material Dialogues Bar, designed by Olbers, became a hub for discussions on circular solutions and the future of sustainable materials.

From experimental biomaterials to thought-provoking discussions, Stockholm Design Week 2025 demonstrated that sustainability is no longer an afterthought – it’s the foundation for the future of design.

Read on for the highlights from Stockholm Design Week 2025.

EVY Planter Lamp by FORMATEKET
Zero Lighting

EVY by Formateket introduces greenery into interiors without compromising on floorspace by elegantly integrating a planter into the top of a pendant lamp. The planter lamp enhances wellbeing by way of biophilic principles and has the potential to transform both public and private spaces into vibrant, inviting environments with a living touch.

Zero Interior
zerolighting.com

Formateket
formateket.se

Tarkett Showroom by Note Design Studio

French flooring brand Tarkett unveiled their reimagined showroom, Tarkett Ateljé, in Södermalm, redesigned by Note Design Studio. A standout feature is the vibrant yellow sunken lounge, reminiscent of 1970s conversation pits, clad in Tarkett’s own materials. Throughout the week, this space hosted various industry talks and events, fostering discussions on design and sustainability.

Tarkett
tarkett.co.uk

Note (design studio)
notedesignstudio.se

Plastic Perspectives by Lund University

Lund University’s Plastic Perspectives exhibition at Stockholm Furniture Fair delved into the future of plastics, emphasising sustainable innovation and circular design. A notable highlight was a concept featuring bio-based plastic tiles, ingeniously developed from renewable raw materials. This showcased the transformative potential of waste into durable interior surfaces. The exhibition challenged the conventional view of plastic as disposable, instead highlighting its capacity for longevity and reuse. By presenting these forward-thinking material solutions, Lund University fostered a dialogue on responsible design and environmental impact.

Lund University
lunduniversity.lu.se

Materials Dialogue Bar by Emma Olbers

Eco-focused Swedish designer Emma Olbers created the Materials Dialogues Bar at the Stockholm Furniture Fair. More than just a café, it was an ‘information exhibition’ and offered a space for critical conversations on climate impact and the role of materials in reducing emissions. Through evocative displays and engaging industry panels, the Materials Dialogues Bar explored circular design, sustainable material choices and the value of waste – a call for bold decisions, creative thinking and lasting change in the design industry.

Emma Olbers
emmaolbers.com

Humanscale

Humanscale presented Connected, an immersive showcase redefining workplace ergonomics through sustainability-driven innovation. The exhibition highlighted the brand’s Pro Grade workstation, the iconic Freedom Chair and the eFloat Quattro desk, alongside the Ocean Collection of chairs made from reclaimed ocean plastic. Seamlessly merging comfort, wellness and environmental responsibility, Humanscale proves that great design doesn’t just support people in the office; it supports the planet.

Humanscale
humanscale.com

Practice Unfiltered by Olsson Lyckefors

Swedish architecture practice Olsson Lyckefors presented Practice Unfiltered, an exhibition that stripped back the architectural process to reveal the ideas, sketches and prototypes behind their work. A key element of the exhibition was the design of the pavilion itself, which was clad in PaperShell, an innovative paper-based cladding material developed in Sweden. The structure not only highlighted the practice’s experimentations with PaperShell, but the potential for sustainable, lightweight facade materials in architecture.

PaperShell
papershell.se

Olsson Lyckefors
olssonlyckefors.se

MANUFRACTURE Installation by Faye Toogood

As the 20th Guest of Honour for the Stockholm Furniture Fair, British designer Faye Toogood presented MANUFRACTURE, an installation delving into the creative process behind her work. The exhibit featured maquettes and unfinished projects from her personal archive, offering a rare glimpse into the intricate relationship between artist and artisan. Toogood emphasised the importance of understanding the origins of design, stating: “To ensure furniture has a future, we must repair the fractures in our maker’s chain.”

Toogood
t-o-o-g-o-o-d.com

X-Line Chair by Niels Jørgen Haugesen
HAY

Originally designed in 1977 by Danish architect and designer Niels Jørgen Haugesen, the X-Line Chair has been reissued by HAY. The X-Line Chair is defined by its minimalist yet graphic silhouette, with a distinctive X-shaped frame. Crafted from powder-coated or stainless steel, the chair is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. With stackable functionality, it’s a smart choice for compact spaces or commercial settings requiring flexible seating solutions.

HAY
hay.com

Associations by Kajsa Willner

Swedish designer Kajsa Willner’s exhibition Associations at At Stockholm Modern explored the beauty found in fleeting moments, transforming simple gestures – tearing, cutting, folding – into lasting steel forms, creating a fascinating juxtaposition between ephemeral impressions and functional objects. The collection of art-design pieces – including tables, stools, vases and lamps – draws inspiration from Willner’s personal memories, Lucio Fontana’s cut canvases and everyday textures.

Studio Kajsa Willner
kajsawillner.com

Stockholmmodern
stockholmmodern.se

Decofunc by Osko + Deichmann
Blå Station

Decofunc by Osko + Deichmann for Blå Station redefines wall storage with a modular system that seamlessly blends function and art. It offers endless configurations with steel frames that rotate in four directions, paired with solid wooden knobs for hanging objects and adaptable inserts in recycled polyester felt, wood or steel that add visual interest and improve acoustic quality. Ideal for offices, hospitality and retail spaces, Decofunc provides a flexible, non-permanent solution for storage, display and visual impact.

Osko + Deichmann
oskodeichmann.com

Blå Station
blastation.com

Stockholm Design Week
stockholmdesignweek.com

Read about the highlights from ORGATEC 2024 here