Housework is tiresome and there is no getting away with it. A home requires constant care for it to look perfect and to be a nice place to live in. Smart planning and good design, however, can help us save lots of time and effort on housework and cleaning.

What can we do to create a home that is easy to maintain?

Select proper flooring materials!

The floor can get dirty real quick and easy but you could deal with that by choosing proper flooring materials. Flooring options with fewer joints are generally a good idea, as they will hold in less dirt. Polished concrete, for example, is a wonderful solution for modern interiors. It has a nice even surface with a finish layer that seals and impregnates it.

Large floor tiles, hardwood and laminate boards are another great solution. Patterned tiles and wood grain are an excellent choice for an easy-to-clean home, as they could even conceal everyday dirt. No matter whether you choose to go with tiles or wood, be sure to stay away from options that are too light or dark in color, as they make dirt and stains ever so obvious.

Hold back on carpets and rugs!

It is highly recommended that you forget about carpets that hold way too much dirt even if regularly vacuum-cleaned, and still need the occasional deep-cleaning. Still, if you just cannot let go of the comfort and warmth they make you feel, then it is best to limit their use and only have them in more private areas that do not get too much foot traffic – bedrooms for example.

Needless to say, light colors are a risky choice. Do also have in mind that shaggy rugs may look beautiful but are very difficult to clean and maintain. It is better to opt for a simpler flat woven design instead.

Find the right wall finishes!

Walls, although not as much as floors, are also subject to dirt and stains, especially in tight spaces, kitchens and mudrooms. So, if you would like to save yourself some trouble you would better choose proper finishes that are easy to maintain.

Regular paint, for example, can be washable and breathable. That way it will be easy to clean, and will prevent mold growth. Plasterwork, on the other hand, can be used to create a textured surface, which makes the wall quite damage-resistant.

Wood paneling and stone cladding are also pretty durable and easy to maintain. For better ease of maintenance, it is best to choose large format tiles and panels, and stay away from deep joints that can hold in more dirt and are difficult to clean.

Large tiles are an excellent choice for the bathroom, too. Accent mosaic tiles can be a real gem in the design, but you may have trouble taking care of all the joints. Should we remind you that off-whites are a magnet to dirt and stains?

Pick out solid materials for your furnishings!

Particle boards with a laminate finish are a popular choice that is highly resistant to damages and easy to maintain. Solid wood and MDF are more expensive high-end materials that are however more delicate and prone to damage. They also require exceptional care – they should be cleaned with special detergents and a soft cloth.

High gloss finishes have a cool visual effect in interior design. They have a cool sleek appeal and look great in modern designs, but do have in mind that they are easy to scratch, and can also keep fingerprint marks. It is better to avoid them altogether in shelves, countertops and push-to-open cabinet doors.

Think about the choice of upholstery fabrics and leather!

Be sure to consider a proper choice of high-quality leather of fabric for your soft seating. Leather is easy to clean as it is generally spillproof, but there are many textiles that are also water-repellent and oil-resistant. Should you opt for fabric upholstery, it is best that you find a sofa with changeable covers. Don’t forget that light fabrics can be a real nuisance.

Upholstered dining chairs are a soft and comfortable solution for your dining room. You could easily find a good design that comes with a replaceable cover in a color or pattern of your choosing. That way you could easily take it down and wash it clean if it’s dirty, or have it replaced if damaged beyond repair.

Choose your kitchen countertop and backsplash materials wisely!

Kitchen countertops and backsplashes are subject to frequent damage and spills, so it is best to choose a solid material that would be durable and easy to maintain. Engineered stone is one of the best solutions. It is hard, antibacterial and highly resistant to heat, water and acid. Other alternatives such as granite and marble are naturally beautiful, but their porous structure makes them more prone to damage.

As far as backsplashes are concerned, it is best to forget about tiles and accent mosaic because of the grouted joints that are easy to stain, but much harder to clean. It is much smarter to go with other options such as stone, laminate or colored glass.

Stay tuned for more useful tips about home design that requires minimum efforts to maintain.