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Barthen Keukendesign Leiden finds its niche once again
Anyone in Leiden looking for a unique kitchen experience will soon end up at Barthen Keukendesign. What began as a kitchen store from father and mother to son has grown into a household name in the region, with a vision that effortlessly adapts to the times - without compromising on quality or customer contact. Behind the success are Sidney Barthen and his wife Rachael, who together rule the roost at the family business.
The story of Barthen Kitchen Design begins in 1988, when Sidney's father and mother founded the business. Sidney himself joins in the early 1990s. With his technical training under his belt, he starts in assembly, often working with subcontractors. This practical experience laid the foundation for his own vision of kitchens and customer approach. About thirteen years ago, Sidney took over his father's business. From that moment on, it has been clear that kitchens are not just work, but a passion that he and Rachael fully share.
Until recently, Barthen Keukendesign was located right in the center of Leiden. Yet Sidney and Rachael decided to move a year ago. "Barthen Keukendesign no longer really fit in among the stores that were setting up in the neighborhood," Sidney explains. "Besides, the landlord ultimately didn't want to sell the building after all. And it was just really busy. We regularly had people walking in for a chat or a visit to the restroom. That's never a bad thing, but at one point having a quiet consultation was almost impossible. We wanted that to change. More quiet. More home..."
Just 800 meters away, they found a new location. Slightly smaller than before, but exactly fitting their vision. "We have been loyal to a small group of suppliers for years," Sidney explains. Think Leicht, Grillo, PittCooking, Miele and in 95 percent of the kitchens a Quooker. The new showroom only displays three kitchens - a bold move, especially since the previous location had 10. "We wondered if this would leave us appealing only to the upper segment, but fortunately that turns out not to be the case. We still have all kinds of customers, just like at the old location. We like it a lot."
What sets Barthen Keukendesign apart is the personal contact. Sidney still regularly visits customers himself. "If it's a small job, I like to drive there myself. We both love that contact with people. And sometimes it also leads to more work, when someone says, 'By the way ... while you're there!'"
Customer relationships go a long way. "We have customers who order their kitchens from us at multiple addresses - in the Netherlands as well as abroad. Sometimes we are invited to visit them on location. This weekend, for example, we are flying to Mallorca to give on-the-spot advice about a Quooker in a vacation home. Because they have different quality tap water there. Those kinds of assignments make our work fun."
The move was exciting. Especially for Sidney's father, who once started the business. "He had to swallow, but when he saw the new premises, he was converted. He fully supports us now." And rightly so. The new location exudes tranquility, something Sidney and Rachael deliberately sought. "We now have much more space to really engage with customers. All the tension from the beginning is gone." You can hear in everything in Sidney's voice that they are enjoying themselves. That enjoyment they do with pride. The new showroom includes a 5.10-meter-wide kitchen, completely "floating" in space. "That one draws international attention," says Sidney. It is a model of boldness and vision, coincidentally traits that have characterized Sidney and Rachael for years. That dedication was previously rewarded by winning the Golden Triangle three times (2015, 2020 and 2024), but the best compliment comes from the customers themselves: they come back or send others to us.
Barthen Kitchen Design continues to grow and is instant proof that being successful is not necessarily in the square footage and number of kitchens displayed, but in providing trust, quality and connection. Exactly as it is meant to be...
