Miscellaneous
In areas where your walls don't absolutely have to be tiled, paint is a great option. Use one specially formulated for bathrooms for its resistance to mildew. Many brands offer these. My favorite is Benjamin Moore's Aura Bath and Spa Matte Finish. I would love it in this sunny orange. What a great color for revving up your day in the morning.
Cabinet style and a little more on flooring. Avoid ornate moldings on your cabinetry. They are pretty, but it takes extra time to wipe around all the nooks and crannies. Slab-front cabinets are the easiest to wipe off. Shaker style is another good choice, and it blends with any kitchen style, from traditional to contemporary. This floor looks like wood but is actually porcelain tile planks. You can also use luxury vinyl tile planks in a wood look. They are very convincing, are resistant to water and require nothing but damp mopping.
Consider reducing the total size of your home. If you're planning to build or buy a new home, really think about how much space you need. If you maximize the functionality of your home, you may not need nearly as much space as you think. It's just simple logistics that the larger your home is, the longer it takes to clean. If you're not moving to a new home, then just reducing the amount of stuff you have in your home will also help. Wherever it makes sense, declutter, purge and divest yourself of things that take up your time and energy to care for.
Send in the slipcovers. They're another good choice for easy-clean upholstery if you make sure they are machine washable. If you're having custom slipcovers made, be sure to select machine-washable fabric and to have it washed before they are sewn. Chooseupholstery fabrics that are durable, stain resistant and easy to clean. Leather upholsteryis a favorite for people with children because it is easy to wipe off. I wouldstay away from white or ivory leather if you're choosing it for ease ofcleaning, because things like red Kool-Aid, red wine and yellow mustard canstain the leather. A better choice would be charcoal gray, black, taupe, brandyor chocolate colors. Don't forget fabric. Choosecontract-grade fabrics that have been treated to be stain repellant. I'm havingsome custom-designed dining chairs made and have selected a luscious Kravettextured velvet that is treated with a stain repellent. Water runs right off ofit so well that it is almost hard to get it wet. And I've chosen a deep garnetcolor, so it doesn't show every little smudge. Good-quality fabrics are worththeir extra cost.
Consider carpet tiles instead of wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs. They come in a wide variety of textures. Flor has some good options with a softer and deeper pile than what we traditionally think of carpet tiles as having. They are just as easy to vacuum as any other area rug, but here's the coolest thing: If a tile gets a really bad spill on it, you can take up that one tile and literally wash it in the sink. After it is dry you put it right back down. Easy peasy.
The panel doesn’t even have to be made of wood. Glass, whether clear or obscure, or fabric or a chalkboard material are all possibilities. What you use will be entirely dependent on the overall design of your home and the visual effect you’re looking for. Lastly, doors such as the ones shown here don’t have to be custom made. There are many manufacturers that can produce doors to your specifications, easily ordered from almost any lumber store. Give your doors some consideration. You’ll be glad you did.
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