Designers tips on creating the ideal family home for the 21st century have been discussed this weekend. Terence Conran, quoted in the Sunday Times, said flexibility is the key to a family house particularly in a functional shared kitchen. Author of Shabby Chic Rachel Ashworth agrees. Kitchens are a natural place for families and guests to gravitate towards, she said, adding plenty of accommodating seating is necessary for a comfortable kitchen. Furthermore, interiors are more important than outside space, developer David Evans maintained in the article. While his three properties in Manchester have only 40 ft-long gardens, they have 2,300 sq ft of interior space, with rooms flowing into each other. One living area connects to another, without partitions, he explained. For homeowners who want to make their kitchens as multi-functional as possible, investing in a large sink or even two or three in different areas of the kitchen can make 21st-century living easier. County stainless steel sinks are available in smaller sizes at lower prices, while a double-and-a-half sink with drainer from Franke can maximise the space of a sink area without needing extra plumbing.