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Surveys and remodeling trends show that people want kitchens they can really live in. Larger family-friendly rooms that invite people to stay and talk, enjoy good food, concentrate on their homework or tackle just about any other project seem to be on the top of every homeowner's wish list.

Kitchens may not be purely functional any longer, but even the most beautiful rooms should still be ergonomically sound and easy to work in as well.

So whether your sense of style leads you to a sleek, shiny contemporary style or a charming country kitchen, there are elements of space, function and architecture to consider.

Before you remodel or design any kitchen, think about your needs, lifestyle and priorities. Do you prefer to work in natural light? Would you like your kitchen to be centrally located and open to other family areas of the home, or do you prefer it to be separate and more private?

What activities — besides cooking — do you plan to incorporate into the kitchen? Are you a gourmet cook who requires professional-quality appliances or a mother who would appreciate more storage space?

Don't ignore the basic concepts for design. To create a comfortable working triangle between the refrigerator, stove and sink, an imaginary line that joins them should measure no more than 20 feet. Longer distances can be tiring while short ones create a closed-in area that is uncomfortable.

The most frequently used work space is between the sink and the stove, but another work surface near the refrigerator is also efficient — so food doesn't have to be carried too far. The stove or cooktop should be placed along an exterior wall with a good hood or ventilating system.

To avoid the expense of replacing expensive plumbing — start your kitchen design where the sink currently exists and plan your layout from there. Keep in mind that the dishwasher should be located within an easy reach of the sink.

The horizontal and vertical layout usually depends on the architecture of the room and your specific needs. Possible layouts include a one-wall (at least 10 feet long) or strip kitchen, a two-wall or galley kitchen, U-shape or L-shape floor plans, or an island kitchen — which creates openness in a larger room.

The range of material choices is exciting but confusing. The price range can also be daunting. It's not easy to decide whether the top of the line is necessary, advisable or even appropriate. Keep your priorities in mind when planning your budget.

Cabinets: When picking out base, wall, tall and specialty cabinet units, price and quality are an issue.

Expensive custom-made units will adhere perfectly to the individual plan or to the proportions of the room.

Stock kitchen units will cost less but provide consistent quality if purchased from a reputable manufacturer. They are manufactured in oak, maple, ash and a few other woods, along with durable melamines and laminates. However, selection will be limited to popular dimensions, features, colors and finishes.

Some stock units can be customized with attractive fixtures, trim moldings and storage accessories for a custom look.

Appliances: Shop around and find those with the features you need.

A quality oven, cooktop, refrigerator and dishwasher are the basics — but you may also want a built-in microwave, trash compactor or upgraded double or convection oven.

Many new models are designed to make less noise, which can be helpful in kitchens that are used frequently for conversation and other activities, or are open to other family living area.

Counters: Hardworking countertops should be easy to clean and stand up to everyday wear and tear. Granite is one of the priciest counter materials, and it earns its reputation by combining good looks and extreme durability. Ceramic tile is fireproof, hard-wearing, moisture and stain resistant and can be worked into a variety of attractive and colorful designs. Artificial solid surfaces like Corian, Avonite or Durcon are seamless and resistant to permanent marks and stains. But they are heavy and must be professionally installed.

Flooring: Weigh the costs, maintenance and wear-and-tear issues against atmosphere and comfort. Wood is warm, beautiful, resilient and not as sensitive to moisture and staining as it once was, thanks to new sealing products. Ceramic tile offers a huge variety of decorative options, and holds up well to water, heat and most household chemicals.

Drawbacks include excess noise and a hard surface that can be tough on feet and dropped dishes.

Marble and granite offer the beauty, elegance and expense of natural stone flooring. Vinyl's durability, comfort and decorative new looks make it quite the bargain for its relatively low price tag.

Plenty of storage helps keep infrequently unused items out of the way and cuts down on the clutter than can ruin a kitchen's good looks. A good kitchen design is the best way to ensure and adequate amount of precious storage space, despite the size of the room.

*Storage comes in the form of cabinets, drawers, open shelving or other visible displays, such as hanging utensils. Specialized storage units include plate racks that mount over a sink, wine racks at the ends of counter units, pull-out trash cans and recycling centers and built-in breadboxes.

*Organize your storage by deciding which items should be easily accessible or even visible, and which should be stored out of sight and in the back of storage cabinets. Of course, only the dishes, utensils and food or spice items you use most regularly should be stored on open shelving or displayed.

*If you are a gourmet cook with a kitchen full of top-of-the-line wares, but plagued with minimal cabinet space, create a hanging display for equipment you use every day. Heavier items can be kept below and displayed on open shelves.