The story behind Coozus...
...and how a simple cup of coffee helped spark the success
It started on a sunny day...
Spring 2023. Beautiful days alternated with sudden rain showers. Those first rays of sunshine, the ones everyone longs for, I didn’t want to miss. But time and again, I ran into the same frustration: coming home after a long workday, only to stay inside because the cushions were still indoors. Or worse: soaked, because I’d forgotten to bring them in.
A frustration that kept building. Surely there had to be a better way?
We want to make outdoor living more enjoyable and effortless, so you can savour those cosy, feel-good moments for longer.
A search for simplicity and ease
I started looking for a solution. An outdoor piece that wasn’t just functional, but also beautiful, durable, and made for real outdoor moments. A lounge chair where cushions could simply stay in place, even in the rain, without compromising on comfort or aesthetics.
After a fruitless search, I asked myself the question:
“Does that really not exist?” I teamed up with my sister, and that’s how Coozus was born.
COOZUS /KOH-zus/
Inspired by “cosy”, and everything that makes outdoor life feel warm and welcoming.
While the combination of engineering, design and durability is essential to our product, it’s not our end goal. We want to make outdoor living more enjoyable, simpler, more beautiful, and worry-free. So you can enjoy those cosy outdoor moments for longer.
From idea to design
A month later, the first sketches were on paper. What started as a personal frustration quickly grew into a realistic idea. We looked for reliable partners like VLAIO, teamed up with Made, a design and innovation studio in Antwerp, and searched for Belgian companies with the right know-how and craftsmanship.
The journey was about more than creating a beautiful design on paper, but also more than just developing a technically functional piece of furniture.
It was an intensive exercise in finding the right harmony between functionality, comfort, aesthetics and durability, without making a single compromise or concession.
Prototypes, testing and persistence
2024 became a year of testing. We built prototypes, experimented with techniques, and explored how to truly protect cushions from rain, dirt, and morning dew.
Does the backrest move? The seat? Or both? How large does the protective element need to be? And what’s the impact on comfort?
We didn’t want half-baked solutions. No lounge chair that keeps cushions dry but compromises on comfort. No complex system that replaces hassle with different hassle.
Our benchmark was simple:
Being able to step outside in the morning, coffee in hand, tablet under your arm, and in one single motion, without setting anything down, sit in a clean and dry lounge chair.
Think we nailed it? Come try it for yourself.
Coozus @Antwerp Design Week 2025
2025: our very first real Coozus
Early 2025, we put the finishing touches in place. We finalised the materials, refined every design detail, and presented Coozus to the public for the very first time — at Antwerp Design Week.
What we showcased there was no compromise. It was a lounge chair that effortlessly combines comfort, functionality and robust design. We were proud of what we had built. And after the confirmation we received there, we knew one thing for sure: this is only the beginning.
In the meantime, we are eager to present MODEL 1.1 to as many people as possible. To every design lover and outdoor enthusiast, whether in a garden or on a city terrace. There’s more to come, so be sure to follow us closely. Sign up for the newsletter, and follow us on Instagram.
