Neonest

Today, the furniture industry still relies heavily on raw materials such as wood, metal, foam and textiles. The result? A composite mix of various types of wood, metal and substances that can no longer be separated or recycled. Our bed frame is 100% circular, made from post-consumer recycled waste. Thanks to its mono-material design, the frame is fully recyclable after use. Neonest is also designed for multi-purpose use. The frame can serve as a slatted frame, bed in its own right, base for a box spring or as a headboard, and even as a base for a sofa. With patented features such as Neoconnect, Neohold and Neocord, we developed an innovative click-and-slide system that allows easy assembly and disassembly of the frame, without the need for any tools. Upholstery can be easily attached and replaced, making the product last both visually and functionally for years.

The jury on Neonest:

Neonest reinvents the traditional bed frame. Not made from a range of materials, but a recycled mono-material with an easily removable cover, so that it can be easily disassembled at the end of its service life. The frame is also very compact, light and easy to assemble. Circular from the outset, perhaps a good source of inspiration for the furniture industry.

What does this award mean to you?

This recognition means an awful lot to us. It is the culmination of a long and challenging journey in which we blazed a new trail in a fairly traditional sector. The Henry van de Velde Award confirms what we felt from the start: that Neonest is a revolutionary concept with the potential to bring real change, not only in product design, but also in how we approach circularity in the bedding industry.

How did the idea for this project come about?

The idea for Neonest came from Jan Maes and Gunther Hombecq’s years of experience in the bedding industry, a sector that has been working in the same way for decades. The inspiration arose when Jan saw a plastic dustbin in the factory and noticed that the shape of the edges and base looked like a bed frame. That simple insight became the start of a development process lasting more than a year, together with Superellipse, to turn the idea into a modular and circular bed frame.

What makes your project so special?

Neonest is the world’s first circular bed frame made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic. It combines sustainability, design and functionality in one innovative concept. Thanks to the mono-material and modular click systems, the frame can be easily assembled, disassembled and reused without producing any waste. Thus, Neonest proves that high-quality products do not have to come at the expense of the planet but can actually contribute to a closed, circular economy.

How does it contribute to a better world?

Neonest contributes to a better world by creating value from waste. We only use post-consumer recycled plastic and create a product that is fully recyclable. As a result, we close the loop and avoid the need to mine new raw materials. Moreover, we produce locally and energy efficiently, and the light and stackable design makes storage and logistics more efficient. These aspects help with minimal carbon emissions. Neonest proves that design, comfort and circularity can perfectly go hand in hand and that innovation really can contribute to a sustainable future.

Do you have any further plans for this project?

Neonest is only in its infancy. After the successful launch, we plan to roll out the concept in Europe and eventually globally. We aim to convert a significant percentage of beds worldwide to Neonest beds. We are also working on new applications of the same circular technology so that the system can be used in other furniture categories. Our goal is for Neonest to evolve to become a reference in sustainable and modular furniture, making a lasting impact within the furniture industry.