Ask the expert: How do I design an original kitchen?

Award-winning designer Colin Wong shares his dos and don'ts...

It’s all about being individual. So many designers and clients cut and paste from Google and Pinterest.

I like to see what the masses are doing and then try to create the absolute opposite, incorporating real individualism tailored to the personality of my clients.

Trends shouldn’t have any place in designing your kitchen.

If you and another million people choose this season’s blush pink, what will you all do in three years when canary yellow is en vogue? My advice is to steer clear of trends and focus on a timeless design using a neutral base (e.g. white or matt black) with subtle accents of colour.

The biggest mistake in kitchen design is a tendency to copy a certain look.

Considering the best spatial layout for your home and the way you use it. For example, so many designers tend to position the hob directly across from the sink but this effectively means you can’t use both at the same time when there are two people in the kitchen. A perfect layout should consist of flow, function and feeling.

A quality kitchen is not changed as often as a cheap one.

It’s important to source a strong kitchen manufacturer and reliable appliance brand. If you’re looking for one key feature to splurge on, go for a boiling tap, the new must have – and always opt for a brushed steel finish, not chrome, as other visible metals, like ovens and sinks, are predominantly steel. Having a brushed steel sink with a chrome tap is a big design faux pas.

If you and another million people choose this season’s blush pink, what will you all do in three years when canary yellow is en vogue?

There are so many worktops to choose from.

They should be as durable as humanly possible to withstand knives and heat. I like ultra-thin yet durable worktops like Dekton to create a more understated look.

Painted or wallpapered ‘feature walls’ feel a touch tacky these days.

However, when a kitchen floor is tiled with a beautiful porcelain, taking this tile up the wall can create an opulent architectural feel.

Statement pendant lights work in a kitchen when they are in the correct position.

If you use pendant extraction as a feature you should never introduce pendant lights nearby as they will jar badly and become fussy to the eye.

I love the sociable aspect of round or oval dining tables where everyone is equal and food is central.

When it comes to chairs, choose club carver armchairs which work just as well for working and lounging as dining.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, avoid herringbone flooring.

The world has gone herringbone mad! Opt for tiled floors using giant format matt tiles with underfloor heating. It’s durable, practical and timeless.

Colin Wong is the creative director of Edinburgh-based kitchen and bathroom design company Development Direct. To find out more or for advice on your own design project, visit developmentdirect.co.uk or call 0131 337 2579.