Whether you're redecorating from the ground up or in piecemeal fashion, careful choosing of materials and finishes can help reduce your chore load – especially welcome news for those with pets or children. Keep these tips in mind for a decor that's low-maintenance and easy to clean.

Floors
- Committed to carpet? Choose one treated for stain resistance, made of nylon fibers (the easiest to clean), and in a darker shade (the better for hiding stains). Or consider carpet tiles! When a tile gets stained or damaged, it can be easily removed for washing or replacing.

- Rugs are your flooring's first line of defense against mishaps. Busy patterns, darker hues, and machinewashable materials will do you many favors.


Walls
- Vinyl – it's not just for floors! Nor are today's vinyl wallcoverings the glossy shower curtains you're probably picturing. Longer lasting than paint and resistant to scratches, stains, moisture, and grease, there's no wallcovering that's easier to clean than vinyl.

- Sticking with paint? The glossier the finish, the easier it is to clean. Also pay attention to scrubbability ratings; the more scrubbable the paint, the better it'll stand up to cleaning without damaging the finish. For your kitchen and bathrooms, choose paint formulated to resist moisture, mildew, and mold.

- Covering the bottom half of your child(ren)'s bedroom walls in chalkboard or whiteboard paint lets them scribble away to their heart's content, and lets you wipe it away in no time.


Countertops
- Pass on tile here, too. Grout makes it harder to quickly clear counters of dirt, and the grout will discolor faster thanks to frequent spills. A smooth surface lets you wipe debris into your sink without leaving anything behind, making laminate, solid-surface, or quartz counters your best bet.


Upholstered Furniture
- Nothing beats leather, real or faux, for low maintenance. Spills are easily dealt with if gotten to quickly, it can be wiped down with a damp cloth instead of vacuumed, and its appearance can actually improve with age.

- No matter what fabric you choose, pattern, texture, darker colors, and a finish treated for stain-resistance are features that'll help your upholstered furniture hold onto its looks with minimal effort on your part.

 - Slipcovers are saviors. You don't even have to buy new furniture! Let slipcovers take all of the abuse, then relax while you let your washing machine do the cleaning.


Appliances
- Shiny, smooth finishes show imperfections more than matte, textured ones, so if seeing fingerprints, grease, and dust bothers you, skip the stainless steel and glossy black in favor of white appliances. You won't feel the need to clean them as often.

- An oven with a smooth cooktop, whether radiant or induction, takes less time to clean than a gas oven or electric one with exposed burners.

From The Virani Team April 2016 Newsletter - Courtesy of Market Connections Inc.