As the place where we eat, cook, gather the family and entertain friends, many of us will find that we spend a great deal of time in the kitchen.

Therefore, whether you're revamping a traditional rambling farmhouse or a small, chic flat, it is essential that your kitchen is designed perfectly to suit your tastes and needs.

Practicality is paramount when designing your kitchen so before you get all artistic with paintbrushes and soft furnishings, it's a good idea to decide on essential appliances and fittings.

This includes everything from bigger features such as ovens and fridges down to the finer details like kitchen taps, sinks and cabinets.

However, once you've sorted the basics, it's time to get a little creative and experiment with some of the kitchen trends that look set to be hot this spring.

When it comes to design, one of the areas that you need to get right is colour, since the whole atmosphere of a room can be dictated by the shades and tones you choose to decorate with.

And, according to international interior designer George Bond, for fashionable and stylish kitchens this season grey could be the way to go.

"Colours that are currently fashionable are taupe, grey painted shades or pastel colours - mixed with a good balance of high gloss," he says. "These lovely taupe colours in the kitchen are absolutely fantastic and grey shades are very fashionable."

Homeowners may instinctively shy away from using grey shades for fear that they can create a dull or dreary sense, but used correctly this colour can create a soothing, cooling atmosphere perfect for the kitchen.

If you have a more traditional style kitchen, grey can create a sense of elegance or formality, while for a more modern feel opt for silvery shades that give an edgy, chic feel.

But if you feel that your interior needs brightening up, then limit the grey textures to small areas and features, or combine with bright bursts of colour to bring a dramatic and fun quality to your kitchen.