Open-Plan Kitchen

For an evening table setting, replace chair cushions with smart white box-pleated skirts and transform a New Heights dinner table with a Ralph Lauren runner in delicate shell-pink linen, and co-ordinated place mats in a faded floral.

Increase light and space in a small flat or house by combining the kitchen and living room. Here, a neutral colour scheme makes one area flow into the other, with the breakfast bar and stools providing a handy eating spot, plus extra work space. Wood effect flooring looks as good as original wood and is easier to maintain. Plenty of storage space is provided by a range of cream kitchen units which complement the room's bright, open feel.

Elegant Laura Ashley wallpaper and a stylish grey console table from The French Trading Company in this alcove lend a discreet formal feel to the kitchen's dining area. Artwork over a log-filled fireplace and a painted armoire for storage further draw the eye.

Neutral colours on the walls and floors in this kitchen/dining room create a warm, welcoming space. Chairs from The Conran Shop add vibrancy and colour, a retro-style lamp gives subtle light.

This tailored kitchen-diner is accentuated by bold pattern. A floral print picks up the intense green of the units and rich darkness of the walnut table. Chunky upholstered dining chairs add extra comfort, while neutral tones for fabrics, walls and floor bring the look together.

Calming creams and reclaimed elm come together with rustic touches to create an authentic country feel in this kitchen. The tongue-and-groove cupboards, with their wrought iron butterfly hinges, have been deliberately distressed for an aged look, whilst the reclaimed elm furniture has been waxed to preserve its delicate colour and has been given reclaimed hinges and door knobs.

This cubic kitchen scheme mixes warm woods with rich plums, greens and yellows to create a welcoming living area. The warm, gentle colours of the walls form a subtle backdrop for the beautifully crafted wooden and painted furniture. The stepped cupboards, which have been designed to resemble cubes by using touch catches for a handless finish, help to separate the kitchen from the living area.

Create a sleek kitchen-diner by matching your dining table to the units- this will create a smart contemporary effect with a continuous feel that will marry the kitchen and dining area together with ease

Save space in the kitchen and create a show-stopping feature by choosing a truly multi-functional central island. Incorporate a sink, wine cooler, built-in hobs and seating around a breakfast bar and allow the rest of the room to breath.

Choose dark, glossy units with contrasting chunky pale worktops to create a striking look that oozes personality. Stainless steel plinths will add a smart twist to the room and a chunky pale dining table will balance the look and finish off the contemporary feel.

Large flagstones are very hardwearing and a good choice for a family kitchen. These pale tiles have a hint of green, which complements the painted units. Traditional shaker-style cupboard and drawer handles are robust and keeping them in a dark wood colour, rather than painting them in a matching pastel shade, means that grubby finger-marks won't show up.

An all-white scheme is ideal for a kitchen-diner as colour can be added with accessories if liked, making the scheme simple and inexpensive to change. Here, a zesty green splashback adds colour to the kitchen, while white cushions and lampshade, along with transparent dining chairs, give the dining area a simple yet sophisticated look.

An L-shaped sofa helps to define the separate areas of this open-plan room. White walls and pale painted kitchen units give the room a sense of space, while the same flooring throughout unites the different zones. An island is a great way to divide a kitchen into different areas while offering a practical extra surface for eating, working or food preparation.