Varier: Why We Carry Norway's Ergonomic Seating Pioneer at Comosum

Varier is a Norwegian furniture brand with roots going back to 1979, when designer Peter Opsvik and Hans Christian Mengshoel developed the kneeling chair concept that would define active seating for decades. The brand builds seating around a single functional premise: the body needs to move while sitting, and chairs should support that movement rather than lock the body into a fixed position. Materials include FSC-certified wood and non-toxic finishes, and Varier's Scandinavian production practices prioritize transparency and traceability across their supply chain. At Comosum, we carry Varier because it represents a serious, evidence-based approach to seating that improves daily life while meeting the sustainability standards we require of every brand.

The Story Behind Varier

The history of Varier begins with a single observation: the human body was not designed to hold a fixed, 90-degree seating posture for hours at a time. In 1979, Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik and industrial designer Hans Christian Mengshoel developed a chair that addressed this directly — the Variable Balans, a kneeling chair that distributes body weight across the knees and seat, tips the pelvis forward, and supports the natural curvature of the lower spine. The design became one of the most copied chairs in furniture history, and it established Varier's core identity.

The Thatsit Balans, an evolved kneeling chair with a backrest for optional lumbar support, followed as one of Varier's signature pieces — a design that has been in production for decades because its functional logic holds up over time. Peter Opsvik has remained central to Varier's design lineage, also creating the Ekstrem Lounge Chair, a sculptural seating object that takes the exploration of body position to an extreme, allowing the sitter to find comfort in orientations that conventional chairs cannot accommodate.

Varier operates from Norway and has built its product philosophy around dynamic sitting — the idea that micro-movements while seated, even subtle shifts in weight and position, are beneficial for circulation, spinal health, and sustained focus. Their chairs are engineered to facilitate this movement, not just permit it.

How Varier Builds Sustainably

Materials

Varier uses FSC-certified wood in their chair structures — the international certification that ensures timber comes from responsibly managed forests. Upholstery and textile options are selected with non-toxic finishes, avoiding coatings and treatments that off-gas into home and office environments. The brand's emphasis on durability is itself a sustainability strategy: chairs designed to be used and repaired over decades reduce the demand for replacement furniture.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Varier prioritizes transparency and traceability in its supplier relationships — an increasingly rare standard in furniture manufacturing, where supply chain visibility often ends at the first tier. The brand works with skilled suppliers who meet Varier's quality and ethical standards, and their commitment to fair working conditions extends across the supply chain, not just within their own operations.

Design for Longevity

Varier chairs are designed with repairability in mind. The structural elements — hardwood bases, textile covers — are components that can be maintained and replaced, extending the product life significantly beyond typical furniture. A kneeling chair that lasts 20 years has a materially lower environmental impact than one replaced every five years, and Varier's build quality is designed to support that longevity.

Why Varier Belongs at Comosum

Comosum carries Varier because it meets our three core criteria: sustainable materials and production, original design with a clear functional purpose, and craftsmanship built to last.

On design, Varier is not offering ergonomic furniture as a wellness marketing category — their chairs are the product of decades of design research into how the human body actually functions while seated. The Thatsit Kneeling Chair is a solved design problem: a seating form that reduces lower back strain by supporting the pelvis in its natural forward tilt. The Ekstrem Lounge Chair, designed by Peter Opsvik, is one of the most original seating designs of the last half-century — a piece that functions as sculpture and as a genuinely comfortable alternative to conventional lounge chairs.

On sustainability, FSC-certified wood, non-toxic finishes, supply chain transparency, and a design-for-longevity philosophy cover the material and production requirements we evaluate. Buying Varier through Comosum gives you access to our team's guidance on which model addresses your specific use case — home office, reading chair, dining — and how to choose the right textile option. Compare Varier with other brands in our guide to sustainable furniture brands.

Explore Varier at Comosum

Varier's collection at Comosum focuses on their core seating designs — each one addressing a specific sitting context.

• Thatsit Kneeling Chair — The evolved kneeling chair with an optional backrest. Available in five color options. Designed for desk work and active sitting that reduces lower back pressure.
• Ekstrem Lounge Chair — Peter Opsvik's sculptural lounge chair that allows multiple seated orientations. Eight color options. One of the most original chair designs of the past 50 years.
• Social Turn Chair (Set of 2) — A swivel dining or meeting chair that encourages movement and interaction. Six color options.
• Social Tilt Chair (Set of 2) — A tilting seat that encourages micro-movements. Available in six color options, with pricing from $1,299 per set.

See the complete Varier collection at Comosum or explore our full range of sustainable seating options to find the right piece for your space.

Frequently Asked Questions About Varier

Where is Varier furniture made?
Varier is a Norwegian brand. Their chairs are produced in collaboration with skilled suppliers selected for quality and ethical production standards, with Varier maintaining transparency and traceability across their supply chain. The brand was founded in Norway and maintains its design and product identity there.

Is Varier furniture sustainable?
Yes. Varier uses FSC-certified wood and non-toxic finishes in their chairs. Their supply chain is managed for transparency and traceability, and they prioritize fair working conditions with all production partners. The brand's design-for-longevity philosophy — building chairs meant to be repaired and used for decades — is an embedded sustainability strategy that reduces lifetime environmental impact compared to shorter-lived furniture.

What is a kneeling chair and does it actually help posture?
A kneeling chair distributes body weight between the seat and a knee pad, tilting the pelvis forward and opening the hip angle. This supports the natural lumbar curve of the lower spine rather than forcing the 90-degree hip angle of conventional chairs. The Thatsit Kneeling Chair, Varier's primary kneeling design, includes an optional backrest that provides lumbar support when needed. Many users find kneeling chairs effective for reducing lower back tension during focused desk work, though they work best alternated with other seating positions rather than used exclusively.

Does Varier ship to the US?
Yes. All Varier pieces in the Varier collection at Comosum ship to the continental United States. Contact our team for details on lead times and delivery options for specific pieces.

What materials does Varier use?
Varier's chair structures use FSC-certified hardwood. Seat pads and backs are upholstered in fabrics and textiles selected for non-toxic finishes. The brand offers multiple color and fabric options across their collection — specific options are listed on each product page in the Varier collection. Our team can advise on textile options if you'd like guidance on which works best for specific environments or use cases.