The kitchen: from functional to design

Matthijs de Rooij - General Manager at SMEG Netherlands

The kitchen has undergone a true revolution. Whereas houses used to be built with the kitchen at the back of the house, separated from the rest, today the kitchen is increasingly an integral part of the central living space and often even the heart of the house.

Previously, the kitchen was solely functional: food was prepared here because mouths needed to be fed. Now the kitchen is a place where work is done, homework is done. A place where you get together with your family, where you enjoy breakfast in the morning, have a coffee, have a drink with friends or linger after a delicious dinner. 

Besides spending more time in the kitchen, I also notice that the northern slant in society is shifting to southern European, where eating is not an annoying interruption of the day, but part of the culture. Just look at countries like Spain or Italy, where cultural traditions like aperitivo have emerged: meant to socialize, relax after a day's work and whet the appetite. I also see that there are many more cultures in our country where preparing and enjoying food is much more important. Whereas in the past we were mainly looking for food that was quick to prepare and inexpensive, today the shelves are bulging with all kinds of worldly food that we are looking for because one of the many cooking programs has inspired us to try something different from the standard meal of potatoes, meat and vegetables.

And when we do spend more and more time in the -often open-plan- kitchen, preparing food or socializing, we want the kitchen to be at least as beautiful as the rest of the house. And so an unsightly functional appliance does not fit in there. Sure, the appliances should be of the highest technological standard, but they should also all look beautiful. Whether it's built-in appliances or small household products: I think it should be allowed to be distinctive in design and color scheme. In any case, what matters is that you feel comfortable in the kitchen, and so its decoration is also becoming increasingly important. 

I really think that some industry people underestimate the importance of emotion and overestimate that of functionality. If you ask me, the technology should not be leading, but the feeling, the experience. I am sure that when you look back on an unforgettable evening, it was in the atmosphere, the smells, the delicious food, the pleasant company. The sensory perceptions on such an evening have nothing to do with functionality, but with feeling. And who doesn't want to be surrounded by warmth, a pleasant feeling? However, many suppliers are increasingly opting for technology and the latest IOS gadgets when it comes to equipment. But cooking, as far as I am concerned, is all about emotion. Dining with family or friends ... emotion. How is that with you?