You can change the look of the rest of the house without too much major upheaval but this is the big one. You'll probably only remodel your kitchen once or twice over the years so it is really important to get it right and how you want it.

Your kitchen has to reflect your lifestyle which probably means that it will have to function on a number of different levels. But bear in mind that sometimes it pays to spend a little bit more so that the furniture and appliances you install will last without dating.

For those who love the idea of a country-style kitchen, natural wood, whether it's limed, stained, painted or waxed, offers plenty of potential to display pretty crockery and other kitchen accessories adding to the olde-worlde charm. And if you have the space, a scrubbed wooden table will serve multiple purposes as a food preparation worktop and a place around which to share good food, good conversation and good company.

A  Shaker-inspired kitchen combines old and new by mixing the wood-dominated look of a traditional kitchen and the clean lines of a more contemporary one - the perfect choice for indecisive types!

Contemporary kitchen design is influenced by a need to keep appliances, fittings and accessories out of sight to enhance the crisp, clean lines of this look. Sleek is in. Mono shades sit comfortably within this style but this year, both peacock blue and purple are also proving popular.

A high gloss finish will maximise space and reflect light, but there's no compromise on functionality. Stainless steel appliances not only look stylish and sophisticated but also give the room a unified look and those silver clean lines signal top-end refrigerators, stoves and even rubbish bins. 'Fridges may be getting bigger and bigger but, as with electronic devices or wireless systems, built into walls or niches, new technologies make them virtually invisible.

A central island is a practical, space-saving element in any kitchen that can accommodate it. Granite, engineered stone or Corian (a man-made product) is easy to keep clean and beautiful to look at. Sheet vinyl is the easiest flooring to keep clean but you can't beat reclaimed hardwood or natural stone for beauty and style.

Lighting is hugely important so worth taking time to plan. You'll need it light and bright for certain tasks but kinder for more relaxed dining or socialising. And of course, twinkly LED lighting is not only environmentally friendly but also economically attractive.

For a wonderful selection of contemporary and traditional furniture see Larkswood Furniture