The kitchen has historically been regarded as a woman's domain but according to researchers men are now spending more time in the kitchen than their partners. Unlikely as it may seem, a study has found the average man spends around seven hours a day in the kitchen. That compares to a woman spending an average of six and a half hours in the kitchen. But whether men use that time to good effect is debatable.

While women are more likely to be cooking, men are more likely to be found relaxing, eating and preparing packed lunches - and more than likely for themselves! However, in the men's defence they spend more time washing up after meals and cleaning in the kitchen too. A survey of 3,000 Britons also found that in some households men have even taken over the main kitchen duties.

Although they spend a similar amount of time in the kitchen, women see kitchens differently to men, focusing on preparing food, doing laundry and socialising. When seeing a kitchen for the first time, the study found a woman's first thought is whether it was suitable for elaborate cooking and how the space would be used by her family. Men however were more concerned with the kitchens potential to create a quick meal....oh, and not to forget the gadgets! Cognitive neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis said: 'When seeing a kitchen for the first time, the study revealed that women explored the kitchen with an eye to preparing food, analysing how they would work there - whilst men focused on aspects of the kitchen directly related to food consumption.'

Visit sinks.co.uk for kitchen products that will make a man OR woman want to spend more time in the kitchen.

The average kitchen size has almost doubled since the 1920s, and is now the biggest room in the house.

This is probably because we now spend more waking hours in the kitchen than any other room in the home, including the living room! On average, people spend £20,000 on a new kitchen as opposed to only £6,000 on the living room. These days kitchens are not only a place for preparing food but are also used as dining rooms, studies and even the room where families gather for a catch up.

The quality and variety of fresh and exotic foods available to us today has increased and as a result we are increasingly experimenting with ingredients. This means we spend more time in the kitchen using new techniques to get our meals to the higher standards we have become accustomed to. With the added advantage of the internet and recent advancements in induction cookers and fan assisted ovens there really is no limit to what culinary boundaries we can overcome in the kitchen.

Only a century ago homes were built with a small scullery, averaging 65 square feet with little, if any, running water and a wood fired cast iron range. Today kitchens are averaging 121square feet and are complete with built in microwaves, self-cleaning ovens and state of the art sinks and taps to enable us to enjoy this spacious focal point in our homes to the full.

Have a lovely Christmas, and for those of you with a few days off - enjoy them. Here's to a happy and successful 2011!

Best wishes, the crew at Sinks.co.uk.

We found this funny sink pic on the internet, and thought you'd have a little giggle to get you though Wednesday. Enjoy!

What a treat to see the man who started Brass & Traditional Sinks off over 25 years ago on the Sinks.co.uk stand at KBB 2010...