White kitchens can lack warmth, so when decorating avoid cold colours like blue - very chilly in harsh overhead light. If the rest of your house is decorated in bold shades, then for continuity's sake a dazzling, hot colour like blazing orange - perhaps on one wall - would look absolutely stunning and would be in keeping. Soften any other walls with an antique white or a rich buttermilk and if you'd like a tiled splashback then opt for clean white to match your units.

If the rest of your house is in softer shades, then consider a fresh fern green in the form of tiles, then paint any walls in a mix of white and soft jade. As for the worktops, a real wooden worktop would look extremely classy and would warm the room up a bit. MFI - (0870) 609 5555 - have a solid beech worktop, which starts at £125 for a 2000mm length. For a budget option, try their light oak style laminate worktop, just £45 for a 2000mm length.

If your room still lacks a certain cosiness, give it some atmosphere with accent lighting. You can direct light onto certain work areas using ceiling spotlights, and for soft mood lighting, use plinth strip lighting. If you can, stick to a wooden floor - laminate if you're on a budget - and a wooden Venetian blind at your window. And this may sound a little obvious, but plants are perfect for adding some warmth and life to a cold kitchen.