Whether you are thinking of a remodel or planning a newbuild, decision making in relation to the layout and finishes will have an impact of how much time you have to invest in your cleaning routine. Cleaning is an important part of life for many people, but it can also take a lot of time. Here are some tips on how to cut down on the amount of time it requires.
Start with the Kitchen
If you start with the kitchen, you will save yourself a lot of time. You should do this first because it is often the largest and most used room in the home and it has the most things to clean. Think of practicality when planning a kitchen; for examples, the floors, which tend to get the dirtiest should be either laminate, vinyl or even stained concrete so that they are easy to sweep up
crumbs and mop up spills. When choosing worktops and any cabinet surfaces, choose those that are easy to clean and also have no spaces for food to fall behind. Similarly, cabinets shouldn’t have knobs that are too intricate in design and therefore complicated to clean. Clean lines and smooth surfaces are the aim. A pantry is also a great way of introducing storage space and shelving for food items and is often closed behind a door so that the overall aesthetic of the kitchen is maintained.
Next, Tackle the Bathroom
When considering the bathroom, easy wipe off solutions are key. Tiling is the most common way of decorating a bathroom but some don’t consider larger tiles and darker grouting. Often white and tiny tiles are harder to clean and white grouting often has to be scrubbed to look pristine white – which is a lot of maintenance. Cabinets are another way to ensure the bathroom looks neat and tidy as well as providing storage. When designing shower spaces, think of doorless designs which mean there’s no need to spend time wiping down watermarks from glass panels.
Work from Top to Bottom
Walls can get dirty very easily, especially if you have pets or children running around. When redesigning or modelling your home, aesthetics are as important as practicalities and therefore using a high quality paint that can be wiped down is key. Vinyl wall coverings are another affordable yet practical solution that come in a variety of colours and patterns.
Choose Storage Wisely
A house that has loads of space under beds, tables, sofas and other furniture are sure to collect dust and clutter. Built in cupboards, wardrobes and cabinets not only look cleaner and fresher but are so much easier to enable storage and cleaning. If possible, beds and sofas should have in built storage to allow for neat storage of household items. When designing a new home project or thinking of refurbishments, clever storage should be part of the plan. Think of storage within loft spaces or underneath stairs and built in cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms.
The Bottom Line
When designing or building a home, the need to plan for the long term is key. Aesthetics are important but so is functionality. An Architectural Designer helps design a home that not only meets local planning permission guidelines and building regulations but also one that is suitable for the client’s needs. Often the time spent cleaning or the lack of practicality isn’t considered at the design stage and this is where an Architectural Designer like those found at Arkiplan, would prove useful. Let us help you re-design, rebuild or remodel your home today. Get a free, no obligation quote here.