Celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Hästens 2000T® bed
After celebrating 170 years since its founding last year, 2023 marks the 45th anniversary of the Hästens 2000T® bed and its iconic Blue Check® design, the brand’s most recognizable feature. On the occasion of this double anniversary, visited designboom Hästens‘ headquarters to discover what makes these beds so unique. Since 1852, Hästens has stood out for its excellent production, the result of using the best natural materials and the heritage of five generations of craftsmanship combined with cutting-edge research.
From conception to finished product, every Hästens bed is handcrafted and consists of a full system bed: base, mattress and top mattress. Production is exclusively on demand with continuous waiting lists lasting months. They come with a twenty-five year warranty and are built to last a lifetime. The brand, which is still proudly family-owned, is based in Köping, an hour away from Stockholm, and is supported by around 300 employees, who represent the core of local business development.
In recent decades, driven by the global ambitions of 5th generation CEO Jan Ryde, Hästens has rapidly expanded internationally with more than 300 partners in 45 countries worldwide. In addition to being the official supplier of the Royal House of Sweden, Hästens is the first choice of celebrities, athletes and actors internationally. But what makes these beds so unique? How are Hästens beds produced today? What is the legacy of its long tradition?
video and text © Alice Minervini and designboom
Designboom visits Hästens headquarters
The first impression designboom receives upon entering its headquarters Hästens given by a collection of handwritten letters from customers sharing their enthusiasm for beds, placed alongside Swedish rights certificates and decades of international press coverage.
The family vision of the brand is confirmed by the historical photos spread throughout the factory and showroom, and the timeline of all the personalities who contributed to the success of Hästens from its foundation to the last days. Starting as a saddle maker in 1852, Hästens has always focused on a limited number of common items in order to achieve exceptional quality.
In this way, they establish themselves as the leading company for premium products, initially in the Nordic regions and then gradually expanding their scope to the international luxury market. As times evolved, from the agrarian economy to the industrial revolution, mattresses gradually became central to their production, including stock riding accessories sold alongside saddlebags.
image © Alice Minervini
The Hästens name and logo, literally ‘horse’ in Swedish, encapsulates the heritage of its origins and craftsmanship, informing what the brand is today. The true ethos of founder Pehr Adolf Janson still informs Hästens’ mission today to improve universal and interior items such as beds. The 2000T® model primarily represents the interweaving of Hästens’ long tradition with modern innovation.
It presents a result of decades of research into natural fabrics and technical improvement. Hästens continues to recycle natural materials used at its origin, such as horsetails, combined with traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge research to guarantee high-quality sleep. Thus, with its cave and elastic structure, horsehair still represents an unprecedented material that, woven together, provides support while allowing continuous ventilation.
image © Alice Minervini
Carefully selected, horsehair plays a key role in temperature regulation by drying moisture while gently supporting the body. In addition, to keep his body temperature constant, there is a layer of cotton that keeps him warm while allowing constant ventilation.
The middle layer consists of three sets of springs that together intensify the feeling of support while giving firmness. It can be customized according to idiosyncratic body structures and customer preferences for a sicker or stiffer feel (soft, medium, firm, extra firm and combined firmness).
The springs are incredibly quiet and isolate body movement to prevent disturbing other sleeping partners. In fact, the ultimate goal of Hästens beds is to reduce any discomfort that could wake you up at night by touching pressure points, noises and temperature changes. In this way, users are ensured a restful sleep throughout the night.
image © Alice Minervini
The shade of blue improves sleep patterns
Known for exclusive carefully selected materials and uncompromising comfort, the 2000T® remains a part of the Hästens collection, thanks to the iconic Blue Check® pattern. Going against the colors that were in fashion at the time, Jack Ryde, the 4th generation CEO, introduced the iconic pattern in 1978 that became the brand’s signature even in mainstream imagery, as evidenced by the recent Netflix appearance. A classic, timeless pattern that established the bed as a key element of the bedroom, not only for its functionality, but also for its exclusive design.
image courtesy of Hästens
Classic and very modern at the same time, as it is still perceived today even after 45 years since its introduction, Blue Check® revolutionized the bedding industry forever. The check pattern can be ordered in 16 colors, but the blue version in particular crystallized the Hästens identity at its best. Not coincidentally, some scientific studies report that blue is the color recommended for improving rest. In fact, blue bedrooms are proven to facilitate better quality sleep, fostering feelings of protection, calm and relaxation.
image courtesy of Hästens