Creating Easy-to-Clean Kitchens
We always ask homeowners who want to create the kitchen of their dreams to describe who in their family will use the kitchen, for what specific purposes, and how often. The home's most used and important room is the kitchen space, as they now serve as offices, conference rooms, studios, cafes, coffee shops, dining rooms, planning centers, and other activities. Given that today’s new kitchens need to be multi-functional, it has become even more important to make it easy and less time-consuming for homeowners to clean and maintain their kitchens.
The amount of effort required for everyday kitchen cleaning and maintenance depends on the type and style of products that you select for your kitchen. Stainless steel appliances are a go-to option for many homeowners but they also show water stains and fingerprints. Additionally, dirt, grease, grime, and dust can cause stainless steel surfaces to rust if they are not cleaned regularly. We suggest homeowners who prefer stainless steel appliances opt for the smudge-proof options many manufacturers offer.
For cooktops, ovens, and ranges, we advise homeowners to select models with knobs that are far enough apart to enable someone to clean them easily. Flat surfaces are easier to clean than detailed surfaces. Induction cooktops are not only easy to use and make cooking more enjoyable, but their flat surfaces also make them one of the easiest appliances to clean without sacrificing the benefits of cooking with gas.
Easy-to-Clean Kitchen Takeaways:
Opt for Smudge-proof stainless steel appliances
Flat surfaces are easier to clean than detailed surfaces
A successful kitchen design considers placements that maximize cleaning convenience
Stained cabinets show fewer fingerprints, smudges, dirt, and grime than painted cabinets. Medium stains hide more dirt and fingerprints than lighter or darker stains. Painted cabinets with semi-gloss finishes are the easiest to clean. Painted cabinets with a matte or high gloss finish show more fingerprints and dirt and require more frequent attention.
Flat-front cabinets are easier to clean than cabinets with insets, grooves, or ridges.
Quartz and stainless-steel countertops are stain-resistant, nonporous, and the easiest to clean countertop materials.
Glass and one-piece backsplashes that don’t require grout or have seams are the easiest materials to clean. If you prefer a tile backsplash that is easier to clean, consider large format tiles with thin grout lines.
Another often overlooked consideration that makes kitchen cleaning easier is the placement of recycling and trash bins. An ideal location is underneath the sink, space permitting, or next to the sink. And if there is adequate space, consider having additional trash and recycling containers in a walk-in pantry, next to the fridge, on an island, or close to the area in the kitchen where most meals will be prepared.
Investing in a high-quality, high-performing range hood that can remove most grease, dust, and grime from the kitchen will also make cleaning much easier. In addition, it improves indoor air quality and, thus, your health.
Open shelves in a kitchen can be a focal point and are favored by many homeowners to store and display plates, vases, cookware, and collectibles. Items stored in an open shelving configuration tend to get used more often and therefore don't tend to gather dust. And with everything front and center, it is much easier to wipe down open surfaces.
Our K&B designers understand clearances, traffic flow, storage details, and even the swing of all doors to improve functionality. A successful kitchen design considers placements that maximize cleaning convenience.
What additional products and designs make cleaning and maintaining a dream kitchen easier? Give us a call at 440-543-8050 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 8454 Washington Street in Chagrin Falls, and let us show you how you can create the kitchen you want and deserve; easy to use, clean, and maintain.