Whether you’re designing a new kitchen or remodelling an existing one, there are plenty of choices to be made. While style and functionality is important, it is also beneficial to make design choices that can help reduce the amount of time it takes to clean the utilitarian zone. Read on for some tips that are catered towards creating a kitchen that is not only a joy to use, but easy to clean as well.
Countertops
This is where most of the prep work in the kitchen occurs, meaning that it takes a lot of abuse on a daily basis, what with ingredients being splattered and crumbs falling all over the surface. To cater to this, materials that are durable and easy-to-clean – such as stainless steel, quartz and marble – should be favoured, where all you’ll need for cleanup is simply warm water, non-abrasive soap and a couple of cleaning cloths.
Image credit: Silestone
Backsplash
Especially important for homeowners who cook frequently, your choice of backsplash material should be one that is low on maintenance to create an easy-to-clean kitchen. This means you should stay away from designs like mosaic or subway tiles, as they can be a pain to clean with their countless grout lines. Instead, go for full-sheet materials like tempered glass or a back-painted glass, or even large-format quartz or stone slabs that eliminate grout lines altogether.
Image credit: Joey Khu Interior Design
Flooring
The kitchen is subject to high foot traffic as well as spills from cooking and washing up, so it makes sense to look for flooring options that are stain- and water-resistant and feature no grout lines – like engineered wood or vinyl. However, if you can’t escape from using tiles in the kitchen, then opt for designs that come in large-formats to reduce the number of grout lines you have to care for.
Image credit: Dan’s Workshop
Cabinets
We know how tempting it is to dress up your cabinets with ornate mouldings and intricate detailing, especially if you have a Victorian-styled kitchen concept. But did you know they can result in you having to take extra time out of your schedule to wipe around the nooks and crannies to remove trapped dirt and dust? As such, choose to install flat-front cabinets instead, where all you’ll need is a damp cloth to wipe down the plain surface.
Image credit: akiHAUS
Sinks
When choosing a sink for your kitchen, make it a point to get either a integrated or undermount option so that you can wipe countertop messes straight into the sink instead of having to pick it up by hand. Additionally, try to opt for sinks with double bowls if possible, for your kitchen can be kept clean faster and more easily when one side can be used for washing and the other for drying utensils and equipment.
Image credit: hansgrohe
