Published: 24th February 2010

A good kitchen design will provide you with a warm and welcoming space, for lively evening meals, delicious smells drifting in and out and for all the family to meet and catch up on the day's events. When most people conjure up this image in their minds, it is of a welcoming country kitchen.

The country kitchen style is a reaction against the sleek, minimalist design and sharp lines of contemporary kitchens, but this doesn't mean a country kitchen can't still be modern and stylish. If you want to know what to look out for when designing a country kitchen, here are a few ideas:

• Try the combination of wood flooring, simple white walls and simple yet rustic oak furniture, complemented with a splash of colour and some traditional crockery and ornaments.

• Think interesting and patterned splashbacks and black handles on wooden cupboards - the smallest details can make all the difference.

• Exposed red brickwork matched with earthy red and blue floor tiles.

• Mix it up a bit - combine sleek, contemporary countertops with traditional cabinets

• The combination of cream tones with rustic oak furniture - you simply can't go wrong!