Our approach to sustainability: Furniture that lasts

We all want to make thoughtful, sustainable choices when investing in furniture we plan to live with for years to come. At LK Hjelle, we believe that making furniture that lasts is one of the most important ways we can make a positive difference: to the people who make it, the people who live with it, and the environment.

We have been making furniture at our own factory in Sykkylven, Norway, since 1940. For us, sustainability comes down to three things: local production, durable materials, and furniture designed to be repaired, maintained and loved for generations.

Our vision is simple: no one should want or need to throw away an LK Hjelle product. Ever.

Local production in Sykkylven

Sykkylven is at the heart of Norway’s furniture industry. The village has a strong tradition of furniture making, built on skilled craftsmanship and close cooperation between local manufacturers.

This spirit of collaboration is still very much alive today. We source all our laminated wood components from Ekornes, for example, while we cut leather components for them. By sharing skills and working together, we help sustain the furniture industry in this small community.

We are proud to carry the Made in Norway label, recognising the Norwegian origin of our products.

A local network

Nearly all our suppliers are located within approximately 90 kilometres of our factory. From wood, foam and steel to packaging, almost all of the materials and components we use come from nearby. This helps keep transport distances short, lower emissions and gives us close contact with our suppliers throughout production.

Being close to production allows us to follow every step, from raw materials to finished furniture, and maintain a high level of transparency around materials and manufacturing. We also work continuously to use resources more efficiently and reduce the environmental footprint of our products.

Materials that last

Furniture should grow more beautiful with age, and that takes materials that can handle it. We choose high-quality materials such as solid wood, durable upholstery fabrics, leather and sheepskin. We choose them because they stand up to everyday use, not only because they are beautiful. Many of our seats are filled with high-resilience cold foam, designed to keep its shape and comfort for decades.

Wherever possible, we use recyclable materials and incorporate recycled materials into our products. Many of our designs are also made without glue or staples, allowing materials to be separated more easily for repair and recycling when the time comes.

Timeless design

Great design stands the test of time. That’s why we work with some of Norway’s most talented furniture designers, both established names and emerging voices. Together, we create pieces that feel relevant far beyond the trends of their time.

Many of our designs have been part of people’s lives for decades. Some are still in production, while others find new homes through the second-hand market. To us, that’s a testament to the lasting appeal of thoughtful design, and to the designers who make it possible.

Circular design

Furniture designed to be repaired has a better chance of a long life.

Circular design is about making furniture that can be repaired, renewed and adapted rather than replaced. Replaceable components and designs made for reupholstery, refurbishment and renewal help extend a product’s lifespan. Modular construction also makes it possible to add to, rearrange or adapt furniture as needs change.

Since 2021, all our new designs have been developed with circular principles in mind. Our design classics Siesta and Falcon were designed with repair and maintenance in mind as early as the 1960s and 1970s, long before circular design became a widely recognised concept.

Our circular designs:

Siesta, Falcon, Ada, Less, Gaia, Ami, Boy and Lobby.

Example: the Ami chair over 20 years

– Year 1: Producing the chair accounts for 90.1 kg CO₂e.

At this stage, the full climate impact of producing the chair is accounted for.

– Year 10: A new seat cover instead of a new chair. Added footprint: 10.3 kg.

If discarded, the environmental impact would remain 90,1 kg CO₂ eqv. Instead, the customer simply replaces the seat cover.

– Year 15: The seat foam is replaced and the rest of the chair is kept. Added footprint: 11.68 kg.

– Year 20: Full new upholstery, perhaps for a new owner. Added footprint: 30.15 kg.

– Year 40: Do we stop here?
If we stop here, the Ami chair has served several generations with only a fraction of the footprint of producing new furniture over the same period. But in reality, this is not the end – thanks to its circular design, the chair can continue to be renewed, repaired, and reimagined for decades to come.

The chair can go on for as long as someone looks after it.

Environmental certifications and documentation

We hold several environmental certifications, including Grønt Punkt, Miljøfyrtårn, EPD Norway and Møbelfakta. The Lobby sofa series has also been awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.

Documentation for each product is available on its product page.

“For everyone at LK Hjelle, there is a lot behind the word sustainability. This is something that has been a natural part of our production and business ever since it all started in 1940 and long before the word sustainability was used. Our company is aimed at longevity in everything we do.”

– Dag Hjelle, third generation furniture maker.

Frequently asked questions

Where is LK Hjelle furniture made?

At our own factory in Sykkylven, on the west coast of Norway.

Can LK Hjelle furniture be repaired?

Yes, many of our products are designed so that parts can be replaced, and the furniture is made to be reupholstered and renewed. Contact us or your closest retailer to order spare parts.

Which LK Hjelle products are circular

Siesta, Falcon, Ada, Less, Gaia, Ami, Boy and Lobby.

Which environmental certifications does LK Hjelle hold?

Grønt Punkt, Miljøfyrtårn, EPD Norway and Møbelfakta. The Lobby sofa series has also been awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Documentation is available on each product page.

Where do LK Hjelle’s materials come from?

Nearly all our suppliers are within around 90 kilometres of the factory in Sykkylven.

This article was last updated on 19 October 2026.

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