Whether you’re remodeling a room or two, or building an entirely new home, one thing to keep in mind while exploring your options is considering the ease with which the room or home can be cleaned. Of course, you want an interior design that will look great the moment it is completed, but you also want to be able to keep the area looking great with minimal effort. That way you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying your newly designed interior, and less time cleaning it. 

Low-Maintenance Smooth Surfaces

Smooth surfaces are far easier to clean then those that are textured or porous. When selecting a kitchen or bathroom countertop, you may want to consider passing over the ceramic tiles with hard-to-clean grout lines, and opt for a solid stone or laminate surface instead: a quick wipe with a wet cloth and the job is done. While marble is a smooth and beautiful option, beware – it can also stain easily, even from water spots.

The same idea applies to floor options as well. Smooth, sealed surfaces will be easier to clean than carpet or floors with grout lines. If your heart is set on carpet, choose a style that won’t show every little stain, make sure you have the right vacuum for the job, and have the carpets professionally cleaned once a year to get rid of accumulated dust, dirt, and pollen. If you have your heart set on natural stone surfaces with variations in texture, these areas can be fully cleaned and restored to their original look with the help of the COIT team.

Picking the Right Pattern/Color

Bright white surfaces may reflect light and have a neat, clean appearance, but that impression of cleanliness will be out the window when anything is spilled or smudged. Depending on the surface, solid black can be just as difficult to keep clean, with every little speck showing against the dark background. For furniture, carpets, and countertops, consider a hue that’s midrange, such as a warm brown or soft gray, that is less likely to highlight every dropped crumb. Another great way to keep surfaces looking clean, even in a hectic household, is to pick multicolor patterns and blends. The textured appearance does a great job of hiding minor spills and smudges for longer.  

Fewer Places for Dust to Settle

Dust is one of the things that homeowners constantly struggle against, and can have negative health consequences if left unchecked. Dust, dirt, and pollen are suspended in the air and gradually settle on surfaces around the house, especially those that don’t see much movement. This same dust is also sucked into your HVAC system and filtered through the air filters. When air filters become clogged, the dust is recirculated through the home and your HVAC system won’t run as efficiently. Having your air ducts and ventilation system cleaned out professionally by the professional team at COIT, at least yearly, can help keep the air your family breathes cleaner and safer.

A certain amount of dust is inevitable, but you can fight it off before it starts to gather by giving it fewer spaces on which to accumulate. Bookshelves and flat, rarely used surfaces are common culprits for collecting dust. Whenever possible, use shallower shelves (for less of an exposed lip) and built-in shelves that are flush with the ceiling. 

Creative Storage Solutions

One of the hardest parts of housekeeping is managing the clutter. No matter how careful or organized we are, it seems like papers, books, and odds and ends begin to accumulate. Minimize the clutter by planning plenty of convenient, accessible storage spaces for small belongings. A popular and space-efficient way to expand your storage space is to buy an ottoman, bench, or other piece of furniture that doubles as storage. Some people have even gone so far as to convert each step of their staircase to a bookshelf or pull-out drawer!

A clean, tidy home makes it easier to relax and enjoy yourself, and it doesn’t need to take endless hours of housekeeping to keep the environment looking uncluttered. Next time you start a remodeling project, keep in mind these tips for a neat and beautiful, low-maintenance home.