How to Design a Low-Maintenance Home

Being able to design your own home is a blessing. However, when met with this opportunity, many people fail to observe it from different perspectives. Choosing every detail according to your liking is exciting but paying attention to functionality and maintenance is what will help you avoid regret in the future. Your family, lifestyle, habits, and routines are what you need to take into account if you want to design a low-maintenance home. While it can be hard to foresee how your life will play out in a new space, there are some rules and tips that most people will find helpful. Here's what you need to know.

Bigger is not better

When it comes to maintenance, bigger is almost never better. Less space means less cleaning, wiping, vacuuming, and fixing, whether it's the exterior or interior of your home. Therefore, if you are stuck between two homes, you might want to say "I do" to a smaller one. Not only will this cost you less right away, but you will save money in the long run as well. And aside from money, you'll be saving your time on cleaning and upkeep! There are fantastic ways to make small rooms look bigger, so you likely won't even feel like you're missing out on something.

Start with the exterior

The exterior of a home has to endure quite a lot of wear and tear. Depending on where you live, the harsh weather conditions might require you to maintain your house more often than you would like. An easy way to make your home exterior look beautiful no matter the amount of TLC it gets is to use low-maintenance materials during building or renovating.

• Choose metal instead of tales or slate for your roof. Metal roofs are more durable and cheaper to maintain.
• Consider PVC windows and doors instead of wood. They require little to no upkeep and provide better insulation.
• Go with brick or stone siding, so you don't have to paint your house.
• Plant low-maintenance plants in your garden that can withstand the weather conditions.

Some of these options might require you to spend more money. However, keep in mind that spending a bit more initially can save you a lot more in the future. One of the best ways to finance such a project if your budget is tight is to apply for a home improvement loan that best suits your needs. That way, you won't have to compromise on the quality of your materials. And that is something your future self will be thankful for!

Choose durable flooring that is easy to clean

The floor is a part of a house that gets the most wear and tear. If you have young children and pets, then you probably understand this on an even deeper level. If you want to design a low-maintenance home, the key is to opt for durable and easy-care flooring materials. There is an abundance of options but make sure to stay away from wall-to-wall carpeting. They are a nightmare to clean and vacuum, and they collect dust, hair, and grime like crazy. Instead, opt for tile, stone, vinyl, and in some cases, hardwood flooring. Keep in mind the option you choose should be scratch-resistant and easy to vacuum and mop.

Paint your walls with washable paint

If you've ever spilled wine or coffee on your pristine white walls or if your little Picasso has expressed his creativity on them, you know how much looking at the stains hurts. Since repainting the walls isn't exactly low maintenance, you might want to consider using washable paint. It is available in a variety of shades, so you won't have to sacrifice style for practicality.

For easy clean-up in the kitchen, add a tile backsplash. And while we're on the topic of tiles, don't forget to tile your bathroom walls to avoid mold.

Go with one-piece countertops and cabinets instead of open shelving

We can all agree that wiping and dusting are some of the most boring maintenance tasks that exist. However, there are ways to make these tasks easier or at least more bearable.

Kitchen countertops take a lot of beating, so make sure to choose a durable, heat and scratch-resistant, non-porous material for them. Always go with the one-piece option to avoid dirt getting stuck in the gaps.

Even though open shelving looks stylish, it requires regular dusting. Choose cabinets instead. If you have open shelving in other areas of your home, make sure to use light-colored materials so that the dust isn't as visible.

Stick with easy-care and stain-resistant materials

Textiles are what give a home the feeling of warmth, coziness, and comfort. It can be easy to get carried away with colors, patterns, and textures. However, it would be best if you tried to stay mindful when choosing curtains, sofas, cushions, pillows, rugs, etc.

While curtains are usually easy to wash, your sofa is not. Therefore, when choosing the right sofa, make sure to pay attention to the material used for the covering. Whenever possible, go with stain-resistant textile or even leather. If you have pets, don't forget about the hair! Try to find a material that doesn't make cleaning up a hassle.

When it comes to area rugs, it might be a good idea to stick to the ones you can toss in the washer and dryer.

Adopt a more minimalistic approach

Knick-knacks and various decor pieces are what give a home personality. However, in most cases, they are what make a home tricky to maintain. Because of this, try to adopt a more minimalistic approach while decorating. Not only will this make cleaning a breeze, but the energy of your home will be calmer as well. This doesn't mean you should ditch aesthetically pleasing pieces altogether. Choose fewer bigger items instead of a bunch of small ones. By doing this, you'll be able to pick bolder pieces that will bring in even more style.

And don't downsize only on decor! Declutter your entire house and get rid of the things you don't need or use. This step is imperative if you want to design a low-maintenance home. Remember, fewer possessions mean more freedom.