If you want to make a home buyer’s eyes light up as they enter your property, you’ll present him with something sleek, glossy, and with curves in all the right places. Naturally, we’re talking about the allure of a stylish kitchen, which has re-emerged as a key factor in selling a property.

"A few years ago, before the recession, kitchens were often the first fitting people replaced when they moved in, as it was an easy way of stamping their identity on a new home," says Trevor Kent, past president of the National Association of Estate Agents.

"But nowadays, when buyers often have to find up to 30% of the purchase price in cash, their potential for spending on refurbishment is far more limited. So a good quality, attractive kitchen has become once again a real selling point which will increase the odds of success in a difficult market."

Trevor, an independent estate agent in Buckinghamshire, estimates most people recoup up to 70% of the price of a new kitchen when they sell, as long as they don’t install anything too individual that jars with the general taste.

And David Adams, of property firm Chesterton Humberts, agrees: "A total renovator kitchen is an asset, a brand spanking new and neutral kitchen is an asset, but brand new and highly personal is a liability."

For homeowners opting to stay put and looking to improve, a kitchen is regarded not just as a wise investment but as an asset that will improve quality of life as this room is ‘the heart of the home’.

The current slump in the property market also means this is a good time to pick up a bargain. Manufacturers competing for reduced business are increasingly offering sales, discounted prices, and inducements like free appliances.

Magnet’s product director Anjum Ahmed points out persuasively: "The kitchen is the room that can singularly transform a house from the plain to the palatial."

"People are looking for the ‘wow’ factor with perhaps wall units in a striking colour or sophisticated features, such as lighting that changes to suit the mood or occasion, or versatile storage so that even a small kitchen appears bigger as it’s clutter free."

We’ve checked out the latest kitchen trends so you can choose one to suit your personal taste and practical needs.

Hard-edge, industrial-style kitchens initially made popular by TV celebrity chefs are now waning, and a more family-friendly look with softer, curved outlines is now appealing.

Paul Gibbs is the kitchen buying manager at B&Q, which features the Cooke & Lewis range with rounded doors and cabinetry curves.

He says: "I think the days of just buying a total look ‘off the shelf’ is gone. People are looking to customise their kitchens and make them as individual as they can. Curves are most certainly back in style and this versatile range allows them the freedom to do that."

Accent doors come in a selection of effects from fuschia to aubergine or wood finishes like zebrano. Glass splashbacks, and different textures from glossy lacquer to matt wood are other options on offer. Units start from around £130 for a 60cm base unit.

Glossy, lacquer finishes are in vogue for homes, and a strong trend for kitchens. Small wonder, as this effect works brilliantly by helping bounce light around, and can even make standard units look glamorous.

One of the latest finishes for cabinets are high gloss veneers that give a rustic look with a modern edge. John Callender, from Homebase, says: “High gloss finish kitchens are beautiful and always deliver real impact in the home.

"We’ve seen shades of white and cream sell extremely well over recent years, but this year we are predicting a move towards a mix and match approach, combining colours with new trends like grain-effect gloss."

Homebase kitchens start from £977 up to £5,348 for eight units.

Alno’s pure white Alno Star Highline in High Gloss White is a stunning example of the gloss look. Its streamlined appearance is enhanced by being handleless. It also comes in wood veneer and a laminate finish. Alno kitchens start from £15,000 for a medium sized kitchen, and are available from John Lewis and specialist retailers.