While there is currently a lot of uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, there is one thing for certain: everyone is doing their best to sanitize and keep clean. Nowadays, there’s a variety of material options for your home that will give you the exact design you want while also being easy to clean. So whether you’re in the middle of a pandemic, have children or pets, or just want the option of drinking wine on the couth, there’s plenty of beautiful, yet low-maintenance, choices for you.
Countertops
Engineered stone/Quartz
Kitchen countertops are both highly-used in the home; it’s reasonable to want to choose something that you can quickly clean. Quartz is man-made and resistant to most wear-and-tear you would expect from a kitchen countertop. It’s not porous like granite, making it easy to wipe and disinfect without having to worry about watermarks or staining. Because quartz is man-made, you can find it in a variety of colors and patterns to make it look like a different material.
Large slab tile
Tile is also a wonderful material that can be used almost anywhere and in any context, including a countertop! It’s not usually the first thing people think of for the kitchen, but custom-made tile countertops can be made to look like a natural stone while being more durable and easier to clean. Installing a large slab tile countertop will also ensure no annoying grout lines to clean.
Flooring
Porcelain tile
Tile flooring is one of the most durable and least porous materials, making it easy to maintain and clean. It’s the perfect flooring material because it easily adapts to heat and cold, and is not easily scratched or stained. This makes it a great choice for any room, from hallways to bathrooms to kitchens.
Upholstery
Ultrasuede
Car manufacturers use Ultrasuede for their car upholstery and it’s a great option for your indoor furniture, too. Ultrasuede is a type of microfiber that has a raised texture to feel like suede. It’s a lot more durable and more resistant to dirt than suede. This makes it a lot easier to clean and maintain, and it lasts for a long time.
Faux leather/Vinyl
Faux leather comes in as many diverse options as real leather, available in all different types of textures and colors. It is more waterproof than polyurethane-based faux leathers, thus being a good choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
Indoor/Outdoor fabrics
One of the growing design trends we’ve noticed a couple of years ago is the rising use of outdoor fabrics indoors, as well as the growing design options of outdoor fabrics. This may be because people want their furniture to last longer without having to re-upholster too often. Outdoor fabrics are designed to withstand sun, wind, and rain, so of course, they would be very durable and long-lasting for indoor furniture! Because they are quite sturdy, they can be wiped clean and spills don’t soak into them as quickly as traditional indoor fabrics. Some pieces of furniture will also allow you to remove the outside for laundering.
Wallpaper and Paint
Vinyl wallpaper
Vinyl coated wallpaper stands up to humidity a lot better than regular paper and fabric options and wallpaper design has been making a major comeback in the past couple of years. It stands up to moisture and high humidity and is very easy to clean stains off with a damp cloth or wipe.
Easy to Clean Paint
There’s the right type of paint finish for any situation; make sure you choose the right one for high-traffic areas that may need to be cleaned more often. Paints with a satin or eggshell finish are more stain-resistant for areas that are used daily, like hallways, living rooms, and dining rooms. You can also do a quick wipe without damaging it if the walls get scuffed or lightly stained.
Places in your home that get touched a lot, such as the front door, kitchen cabinets, or window trim should use paint with a high-gloss finish. High-gloss paints are hard after they dry and make their surface easy to wipe or disinfect. However, it’s not the ideal paint to use everywhere because it is also ultra-shiny and light-reflecting.
Endless Options
There are a plethora of low-maintenance options for every area of your home; it can be difficult to keep track of all the types of materials as well as the different design options. On top of that, you’ll want to find something that fits the look and feel of your home. Whether you’re looking to update just one room or your whole place, our designers at WPL Interior Design can guide you through the process. Furthermore, we have several connections to source everything you’ll need for your home. Give us a call today at 215-592-9570 or email us at info@wpldesign.com.
