Nobody likes cleaning the kitchen. Luckily, with a few mindful choices, you can create a low-maintenance kitchen that minimizes the amount of time you have to spend dusting and scrubbing. If you’re building a new home or considering a remodeling project, keep reading to discover six expert tips for creating a low-maintenance kitchen.
#1. Invest in Easy-to-Clean Cabinets
A key element of any low-maintenance kitchen is easy-to-clean cabinets. If your goal is to save time on household cleaning, choose cabinets with flat doors and minimal detail. Ridges, molding, and decorative elements tend to trap dust and crumbs, making cleaning a more challenging task.
For even less to scrub, consider flat, flush cabinet ends, which are easier to clean than matching ends. Not only do flush ends provide a sleek, modern appearance, but they also eliminate some tricky-to-clean details.
As far as finishes go, opt for a stain instead of paint. Stained cabinets are easier to touch up than painted cabinets; plus, the wood grain can disguise scratches and stains. For the ultimate low-maintenance kitchen, go for a dark stain to further camouflage imperfections.
#2. Build Cabinets All the Way to the Ceiling
Leaving several inches between your upper kitchen cabinets and the ceiling was all the rage in the 1990s; however, that empty space is a magnet for dust and dirt. Because of this, more and more homeowners are opting for ceiling-height cabinets, eliminating this hard-to-clean area. Not all kitchens are suited for ceiling-height cabinets, though. For high or sloped ceilings, floating cabinets may be best.
In addition to contributing to a low-maintenance kitchen, ceiling-height cabinets maximize available storage space. You may not be able to easily reach the top shelves of your cabinets, but they’re still a great place to stash items you don’t need to access very often, like holiday decorations or the fancy china you only pull out on special occasions.
#3. Avoid Open Shelves
Open shelves may be a great way to show off your carefully curated collection of cookbooks, heirloom dishes, and decorative knick-knacks, but they’re notoriously difficult to maintain. Without the protection of a cabinet, everything on your shelves is at risk of being damaged by food splatters, grease, water, and dust. To keep open shelves clean, you have to be especially vigilant, which is not conducive to a low-maintenance kitchen.
If you want to spend less time cleaning but still show off your stuff, consider a glass-front cabinet instead. This classic option protects your belongings while still allowing them to be visible. Glass doors still require more maintenance than traditional wood, but they’re still easier to clean than open shelves.
#4. Non-Porous Stone Countertops
Investing in high-quality, non-porous stone countertops makes all the difference when it comes to creating a low-maintenance kitchen. Quartz countertops are known for being especially durable. This “engineered stone” is made from a combination of natural crystals and added dyes and pigments, which are formed into slabs with extreme heat and pressure. The result is a strong, non-porous surface that’s resistant to wear and tear.
To ensure your stone countertops are safe from moisture damage, scratches, and stains, periodic resealing is key. While the resealing process takes about 24 hours, it makes maintenance a breeze, saving you time in the long run.
#5. Stone Backsplash
Tile backsplashes may add visual interest and texture to your kitchen, but the grout between the tiles is definitely challenging to keep clean. Because it’s porous, grout collects stains, debris, and bacteria. To eliminate pesky grout in your kitchen, extend your countertop up onto the wall instead, creating a stone backsplash. This isn’t just much easier to clean; it also creates a seamless, modern aesthetic.
#6. Opt for an Induction Stove
Rather than a gas or electric stove, consider installing an induction cooktop. They’re flat and easily wipeable; plus, they only heat up when an induction metal is placed on the heating element, protecting you and your children from accidental burns. You can even incorporate an induction cooktop into your countertop, enhancing the sleek appearance of your low-maintenance kitchen.
Low-Maintenance Kitchens by Out of the Woods
If you’re excited about the idea of a low-maintenance kitchen, contact Out of the Woods to learn more about our custom countertops and cabinets. We specialize in creating tailored solutions for homes and businesses all over Northern Utah. With a little help from our team, you can create the low-maintenance kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.
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