Laarman was born in Borculo, Netherlands. He graduated cum laude from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2003. Laarman first received international recognition for his "Heatwave radiator" produced by the Dutch design brand Droog and later manufactured by Jaga Climate Systems. Heatwave radiator is now on public display at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

In 2004, Laarman together with his partner Anita Star, founded Joris Laarman Lab in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The lab collaborates with craftsmen, scientists and engineers and the possibilities of emerging technologies as CNC systems, 3D printing, robotics or simulation software.

Laarman's designs are in the permanent collections and exhibitions in such institutions as MoMA, New York City, V&A, London, Centre Pompidou, Paris. The Bonechair and its prototype were recently added as the closing works of the 20th century collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

He has contributed to articles and seminars for Domus Magazine and has lectured at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam and the Design Academy Eindhoven.

In 2013, the Lab collaborated with Greenpeace installing a time capsule at the bottom of the arctic sea for the Save the Arctic campaign