Photo of a corrugated cardboard bed in a brightly decorated room.

Furnishings designed with sustainability in mind

ROOM IN A BOX

The company:

Sustainable, flexible, straightforward – ROOM IN A BOX creates furniture that adapts to your lifestyle.
Year founded: 

2013

Location(s):

Berlin. Online shops delivering to Germany, the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the USA

Sector:

Eco-friendly designer furniture and home furnishings sector / E-commerce

Founders:

Gerald Dissen, Lionel Palm

The company in three words:

Innovative. Versatile. Surprising.

Black company logo

It all began with a bed

The idea for ROOM IN A BOX took shape in 2013, when Gerald Dissen, a graduate of Witten/Herdecke University, and Lionel Palm, then an economics student, designed their first piece of furniture. Right from the start, they had a clear vision: furniture should not only be functional and aesthetically pleasing, but also sustainable and accessible to everyone. The result was the Bed 2.0 – a clever design made from sturdy corrugated cardboard, which not only marked the launch of their business but also laid the foundations for their subsequent success.

What began as a creative idea is now a versatile range of furniture, spanning from beds to flexible seating and tables, right through to a zero-waste Christmas tree. All products are characterised by modularity, flexibility and ease of use. They are straightforward to assemble, versatile in their application and conveniently delivered by post – ideal for people who value sustainability and practical design. From your first flat to a sustainable workplace, the furniture offers innovative solutions for every living environment.

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword for ROOM IN A BOX – it is at the very heart of the company. Through the choice of sustainable materials, optimised production processes and carbon-neutral delivery, the entire life cycle of the furniture is designed with a clear focus on environmental protection. And at the end of its life, the furniture can be easily recycled thanks to the natural raw materials used.
With their innovative concept, the founders have not only won over their customers but also impressed industry experts – including at the DMY International Design 2014 Festival, the German Sustainability Award for Design 2020 and the German Sustainability Award for Companies 2024.

Photo of two men standing in front of a picture wall. Behind them is a cardboard table.

Our tip for start-up founders:

“If you’re not embarrassed by your first product when looking back on it, you’ve entered the market too late.”

Gerald Dissen and Lionel Palm
, founders of ROOM IN A BOX
, UW/H graduates
in Economics