A new survey has added to growing evidence that the kitchen is the new multi-purpose centre of the modern home.Surveying 10,000 consumers, with many having revamped their kitchens, the Research and Markets report showed that people were now using the kitchen for a variety of purposes beyond cooking.Activities as diverse as socialising with friends, taking medicines, managing household tasks and caring for pets were said to take place in the kitchen by many respondents.In terms of food preparations, sinks and worktops are still busy, but to varying degrees depending on the time of day with fewer and fewer preparing breakfast at home but the majority still setting up in the kitchen for dinner duty.With such a premium on space in a busy kitchen, one in five responding households were found by Research and Markets to have revamped the room or at least made minor improvements to it over the past 12 months.When making changes, the survey found that people aspired to making their ideal kitchen design organised, open, comfortable and warm.