He began his career working for Danish design and furniture manufacturing companies, including Fritz Hansen and Rosendahl A/S. In 1969, he founded his own design company, Juul Kristensen Design, which produced furniture, lighting and home accessories.
Over the course of his career, Kristensen has received numerous awards and honors for his design achievements, including the Danish Design Foundation's Prix d'Excellence in 1974 and the Danish Design Grand Prix in 1987.
His designs are often characterized by their simplicity and functionality, and by the use of natural materials such as wood and leather. His best-known creations include the "Kilin" armchair for Fritz Hansen and the "Diva" desk lamp for Le Klint.
Juul Kristensen is considered one of Denmark's most influential designers and helped shape the aesthetics of modern Scandinavian design. He died in 2016 at the age of 79.