Consumers want more color in their kitchens but can't find that color in showrooms

'We are the extension of the kitchen retailers who have their customers' best interests at heart!'

Many kitchen specialty stores sometimes still find it too exciting to experiment with colored countertops in the showroom. "You see 'playing it safe,'" say Elout Koning and Rob van den Brink of Werkbladengroothandel from Tiel. "Yet consumers are looking more than ever for colors and the variety in them. After all, they see on the socials - especially on Instagram & Pinterest - that you can be very creative in the kitchen and really create a special atmosphere with color. So, the demand is there. Only: how can the showroom salesperson then show this to the consumer more and more often without having to 'jump out of the band' with all those colors themselves?"

WBGN, Werkbladen Groothandel Nederland BV, has been around for four years and supplies a wide range of kitchen worktops including granite, composite, ceramic and Dekton. "Of course we understand that a kitchen specialty store cannot convert its showroom kitchens from worktop to worktop every month. At the same time, they do look for opportunities to inspire visiting consumers with more than can be shown in their own showroom. 

That's when we come into the picture. The showroom salesperson can refer the consumer to one of our two Inspiration Houses, in Tiel or in Veenendaal. There we have an extensive range of kitchen worktops on display, including many colors. We see ourselves as an extension of the trade. If a consumer then makes a choice, the worktop is of course delivered to and through his kitchen specialty store."

The two explain that showrooms therefore do not need to invest in a stock of (color) worktops but that in cooperation with Werkbladen Groothandel Nederland BV, they can still provide the necessary colored kitchen inspiration. "For example, we have beautiful sample displays that can be placed in the showroom. They are the first trigger to show the consumer that more is possible."

Elout and Rob say the growth is brisk. "Throughout the week, our Inspiration Houses are visited by consumers from all over the country who have been referred by their kitchen retailers. Even from Belgium we welcome guests."

2021 also launched a partnership with Marazzi, the supplier of high quality ceramics suitable for kitchen countertops in unique colors. "This brand has really become a trendsetter," say Elout and Rob.
"We have included a large assortment."

The two inspiration houses have more than 40 spacious arrangements of kitchen worktops, as well as more than 125 colors on large color swatches, each over one square meter in size. "Our expert advisors can provide private end customers with extensive information and advice on making the right choice of material, color and finish," the two conclude.