JACOB JENSEN: intelligent minimalism for a quality daily life

21 NOVEMBER 2025

As soon as we open our eyes, a new day’s story begins. Small rituals, familiar sounds, and smooth movement through our space create that special feeling of comfort and familiarity that accompanies us every day. And whether we choose our interior consciously or objects simply find their way into our homes – they shape our habits, our well-being, and the rhythm of our lives.

Details that create the whole

“All objects in our environment have the potential to create meaningful and joyful experiences,” says the Danish design company JACOB JENSEN. “Both our founder and we, who continue his work, are guided by the same ambition – to continuously improve the relationship between people who choose our products and the environment that surrounds them in everyday life. Better design – for a better purpose.”

JACOB JENSEN is a unique Danish brand named after the legendary Danish designer Jacob Jensen (1926-2015). From an elegant toaster to a climate station – every object marked with his name is created to surprise, strengthen our connection with our surroundings, and add special value to everyday experiences.

Originally founded in 1985, JACOB JENSEN experienced a revival in 2021. Led by CEO Thomas Bennedsen and creative project coordinator Amalie Lindeburg, the company continues to nurture the iconic work and philosophy of Jacob Jensen, while at the same time opening a new direction in design – aesthetics and lasting value in simple everyday household objects. “We don’t just create products – we create communication, a way of interacting with our environment.”

Function. Function Function

“Every design starts with function,” Jacob Jensen said in one of his last interviews. “Function first, and only then form and materials.” His design legacy – 27 years at BANG & OLUFSEN and 234 audio device designs that became true icons of modern aesthetics – speaks for itself.

But when is design truly functional? Is it enough if performing certain actions leads to the desired result? How is exceptional design born? “Out of need!” Jacob Jensen laughed. “In the 1970s, due to the growing supply of similar products, B&O was going through difficult times. They desperately needed a breakthrough – a unique product that would not only generate sales but would have no equal and no competitors.”

“We had to create something never seen before so that the object and its price could not be compared with alternatives,” Jacob recalls the story of the iconic Beomaster 1900 radio. And indeed – in both function and form, the Beomaster 1900 resembled something out of a science-fiction film. At a time when the market was dominated by bulky boxes or even wardrobe-sized music players, the elegant Beomaster 1900 looked like none of them.

But it wasn’t only the original form that ensured this design’s success for generations. For that time, it was absolute innovation – touch-sensitive controls, grouping of primary and secondary functions, and the elegant cover that concealed the less frequently used buttons. These features and unprecedented functionality defined the success of the Beomaster 1900 and B&O’s breakthrough. Created in 1976, it remains one of their most successful products to this day, still enjoyed even in the era of modern technology. It is no surprise that Jacob Jensen is considered the first representative of industrial design in Denmark, and his works are exhibited in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

From „Bang & Olufsen“ to your kitchen

Although good design is often associated with exclusive objects, architectural masterpieces, or even art, JACOB JENSEN believes that it is the simple everyday items – the essential ones – that deserve special attention.

Even something as simple as preparing a daily cup of coffee or tea can bring joy, set a pleasant tone for the morning, and become an interactive ritual. The JACOB JENSEN electric kettle, awarded the Red Dot design prize, lets you experience exactly that: as your hand approaches, the control interface comes to life, and the digital screen displays the temperature of the water being prepared. A gentle sound signal lets you know – it’s time to enjoy your warm drink. Silence and morning calm are extended by the LONG SLOT toaster, known for its exceptionally quiet operation. Featuring seven toasting levels and three integrated programs, this toaster turns each slice of bread into a perfect morning treat.

A practical device – the JACOB JENSEN climate station, also helps ensure a smooth start to the day and a seamless exit from home. It not only shows the temperature and humidity indoors and outdoors but also allows you to create a harmonious atmosphere in different spaces. A bright but pleasant E-Ink display, low energy consumption, and additional sensors that monitor the climate in various rooms create a whole where small details become memorable moments.

“Experiences last forever,” Jacob Jensen said. And what can be more enduring than everyday experiences: the objects we encounter the moment we cross our home’s threshold or open our eyes? JACOB JENSEN invites you to enjoy your home and every moment in it with impeccable Scandinavian design.

AUTHOR: Lina Paulauskaitė