A home should be a place of peace, solace, rest, and comfort that’s far removed from the rigors of the daily grind out there. Of course, you have to engage in some activities, including cooking and cleaning. Even then, you want to minimize the time you do that so as to increase the time spent reading a book, enjoying a glass of wine, or watching an interesting movie. Few things can take as much time to do in the home as cleaning.

A minimal wooden house ↑

Most people are uncomfortable living in a dirty, chaotic, and clutter-filled house, so they do a lot to make sure things are always clean and orderly. But cleaning time depends a great deal on home design. Some homes are inherently dirt magnets and harder to clean because of how they were designed.

Whether you are remodeling or are designing a new home, here are some valuable tips on creating a house that’s easy to clean.

1. The Floor

No other surface in the home attracts as much dirt and grime as the floor. So it’s only natural that your cleaning-friendly design begins here. A good choice would be installing stained concrete that has a protective sealer. The nonporous seal and minimal seams ensure it’s impervious to spills, thus making it easy to mop or sweep.

Black wooden floor ↑

You could also go for luxury vinyl tile, laminate, or hardwood floors. With a basic sponge mop and dust mop, you can get rid of any splatter or splash. If you are going to install a wall-to-wall carpet, restrict that to the bedrooms where you are likely to walk barefoot.

2. Carpet Tiles

If you have a wall-to-wall carpet or large rug, you probably feel exhausted just thinking about giving it a thorough clean. You could cut your cleaning time drastically by installing carpet tiles instead. They are available in a wide range of textures. They are as easy to vacuum as a wall-to-wall carpet or large area rug.

Modular carpet tiles ↑

But the best part is that if any tile gets an ugly spill on it, you need only extract that one tile for washing. Once it’s dry, place it back in position and you’re done. Compare that with a standard carpet or large rug where you’d be compelled to clean the whole of it, a very time-consuming process.

3. Storage

If you don’t plan your storage well, you run the risk of having an endless battle with clutter. As a general rule, install storage near where the stored items are meant to be used. So for a family room, create storage where the toys or games will go. This would be better than keeping these items in a closet at the opposite end of the house.

A vertical storage unit like this one is a must if you have a lot of stuff ↑

Keep items within easy reach. A floor-to-ceiling cabinet may be a great use of space, but if you have to step on something to reach the highest shelf, you’ll be tempted to procrastinate. Finally, designate a section of the home where the junk will go to. That way, it’ll be easy for a reliable junk removal service to collect.

4. Walls

Your walls should be readily cleanable, especially if you have pets or kids. Despite your best efforts at admonishing small children against writing on the walls, it’s a rite of passage of sorts. Brace for the worst and imagine what would happen if you found your 3-year-old has colored a prominent section of your living room wall.

Choose a top-quality paint ↑

Look for paint that demonstrates good ‘scrubbability’. If you choose a paint that’s top quality and delivers an excellent finish, you’ll have an easier time wiping your walls without removing the paint.

5. Upholstery

Upholstery isn’t created equal, as far as ease of cleaning is concerned. Go for upholstery that’s stain-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. Leather and faux leather upholstery have a classy, sophisticated feel, but many people with kids love it because of how easy it is to wipe spills off of it.

Avoid ivory or white leather because certain substances such as yellow mustard and red wine will leave a mark. The best choice is chocolate, brandy, taupe, black or gray colors.

6. Casters

Heavy furniture can be difficult to move around. This can make you dread those cleaning days. You can speed up vacuuming, mopping, and sweeping by installing casters on your furniture if they do not already have them. Roll away your table or bed when you need to clean, then roll it back in position once you are done.

Casters ↑

Just ensure that you get casters of the locking kind. That way, the table won’t accidentally move when you are using it.

Home design and décor affect cleaning. Use these tips to make sure your home is easy to clean from the get-go.