After hours spent negotiating with removal men, packing up piles of boxes and house-hunting for a new abode even the most patient among us are likely to get a tad stressed out when moving home.

Therefore, if you have made the decision to up and move, then chances are you'll want to make the process as smooth and pain-free as possible, and this includes finding buyers for your old property.

And while you can leave the tricky business of negotiating and drawing up contracts to the estate agents, there are several things you can do to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

Whether you've already got one foot out the door and are keen to secure a quick sale or if you just want to maximise the value of your home for the future, the kitchen could be the best place to start.

"Kitchens are a big influence," says Andrew Leech, director at the National Home Improvement Council. "They are really becoming the centre of the house. They are becoming an area not just for cooking, but also an area where [people] can relax."

But you don't need to start tearing up flooring or hammering down walls to revamp your interior as small changes can make all the difference in a kitchen.

Pay attention to subtle details such as kitchen taps, door handles and appliances as these are a cheap and effective way of sprucing up an interior with minimum fuss.

The key is to keep your kitchen neutral so to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible so stick to popular styles such as brushed steel kitchen taps or stainless steel appliances, which will appeal to the large majority of people looking around your home.

There's also a lot to be said for a good lick of paint as an instant way to brighten up any interior. Even if your DIY skills don't quite stretch to a complete remodelling job, a splash of colour on your cabinets is a minor improvement that can make a big difference to your kitchen.