Louise Thomas, a designer at Sigma 3, looks at the potential of kitchens to merge with the rest of the home... 

Kitchen design is constantly evolving to suit the changing lifestyles and practical needs of home owners. Consumers want their kitchens to be practical as well as stylish and to be the hub of the home rather than a separate room detached from the main activity. 

This is reflected in the growing trend for kitchens with a combined living and dining space. Extending the living space in this way has proved to be a more attractive 

option to many than moving. Guests naturally gravitate towards the kitchen and an open-plan layout allows the host to be more included in any social gathering.

In terms of trends within the kitchen, there has been a move away from bold and outlandish colours and designs, with homeowners opting for more neutral and classic hues such as cream and beige. A kitchen is an important investment, so it is essential to choose colours and

designs that will stand the test of time. To update and refresh the kitchen, people are choosing to add a splash of bold colour using accessories such as cushions and lamps. It's a great way to add personality to the room and create a contrast with the more muted tones of the units. 

The door styles that are currently proving popular are plain slab doors with either a natural wood finish or high gloss. There is still a demand, however for painted and shaker finishes with a move away from fussy detailing and more of an emphasis on clean, simple and traditional styles. 

Innovative storage solutions will continue to influence kitchen furniture design. Kitchen units that maximise the space available using "magic corners" or removable storage baskets for example are key to keeping the room organised and uncluttered.

Lighting also has a big role to play when approaching kitchen design as it can transform a room and give it a wow factor. Consumers want more clever and unique ways of incorporating lighting

and setting the right mood for a room. Lighting manufacturers now offer a range of task and expressive lighting which can change colour and serve to highlight areas or features within the kitchen. Home owners spend a significant amount of time in their kitchen and an open-plan kitchen is likely to have many functions, so the need for lighting to accentuate different areas is greater.