The kitchen is traditionally the heart of the home - where families gather together to talk about their day. We can all remember rushing home from school to the welcoming smell of something delicious baking in the oven and it's often the place where you can have your most useful heart-to-hearts with girlfriends over a chilled glass of wine after the children have gone to bed. And where does everyone head for at a party - the kitchen, of course!

In many ways the kitchen has become even more integral to the comfort and flow of family life than before, as more and more of us are knocking down walls and changing what was essentially an area to cook and possibly eat in, into the sleek, modern hub of a home. These large family living spaces - with sofas and seating areas, possibly a work space so mum can keep an eye of the kids while they do their homework on the computer, and even a play area for the little ones - can transform the look of a home.

Estate agents will tell you it's now the most important room in the house and can make or break a sale, so it's worth getting it right if you're considering installing a new kitchen.

Essentials to think about include a robust and stain-resistant floor. If you've got original floorboards, save money by waxing them. Otherwise, go for sealed, terracotta tiles or hardy linoleum, which will withstand any amount of battering and comes in a huge variety of colours these days.

Equally, make sure your work surfaces really do work. Don't forget untreated wood won't stay looking stunning for long and even wet pans will leave nasty black rings. Also in the same area, make sure you've got good task lighting. Once the kitchen's installed it will be very difficult to fit extra lighting if you're suddenly finding it hard to see what you're chopping!

Contemporary and well-designed appliances will also help you run your life more efficiently, and look great at the same time. Look out for the new Indesit Moon which not only is unique in style and design, but its clever controls mean you only have to press one button and leave the rest to the machine. Used with Ariel you know you'll be getting the most efficient wash at the lowest temperatures, saving you time and money and helping you do your bit for the environment. And with its clever self-cleaning dispenser you can feel confident Ariel will get directly into the wash giving you up to 50% more cleaning power!

Whatever style of kitchen you choose, by using simple and well thought through ideas you should be able to create a stunning, stylish space without spending a fortune and without forsaking looks and functionality. Today's modern kitchen is all about combining efficiency with style. All you need is a little know-how!