Although making your home completely maintenance-free is unrealistic, achieving low maintenance is possible. This means using efficient methods to keep your home in top shape within half the time. This applies to even seemingly trivial activities like cleaning your gutters, staining your deck, or mowing the lawn. Building the property from scratch allows you to put measures in place from the beginning to ensure it is easy for you to keep it in shape. Consider the tips below to keep your new home low-maintenance.
- Home layout
Most modern houses feature an open floor plan, perfect for a relaxing family lifestyle and entertainment. It is no surprise that the demand for open floor plans is increasing. An open floor design makes it easy to use spaces for multiple functions. For example, having one bigger space rather than a split kitchen, living, and dining area means less cleaning and maintenance. Likewise, it would help if you considered your current and future needs when choosing house design. This means it will be desirable to you even after a decade, so feel free to consider this.
- Skip hardwood flooring
While hardwood flooring is attractive and can add value to your property, it is prone to warping, scratches, and moisture damage. It is also among the costliest kinds of flooring. You can lay engineered wood flooring instead to achieve the same aesthetic. Engineered wood has a foundation of multiple plywood layers and a tiny coating of genuine wood. The plywood base keeps the board from warping, helps you save money, and is also incredibly straightforward to install, thanks to its clean lines and smooth surface. You don’t have to worry about spills and dust being trapped in gaps, and if an accident occurs, the wood surface is generally thick enough to sand down and restore.
- Consider built-in storage
It takes effort to wash, clean, and tidy up clutter around the house. To prevent this, you will need adequate storage. Consider the most ideal and accessible home areas when planning your storage solutions. For instance, installing an under-stairs closet can be excellent for storing bulky objects you frequently use. Unfortunately, it may be unsightly. Vertical storage, on the other hand, can keep your floor space uncluttered and make your house appear larger than it is. In addition to being low-maintenance, built-in storage offers other benefits like attractive display, convenience, and decreased stress in finding home items.
- Select durable materials
You will certainly purchase some items when building a new home or undertaking a home improvement. It is always better to choose long-lasting materials that fit your budget for cabinets, flooring, or countertops. Quartz, for instance, is a better option than granite because it is less porous and more resistant to chipping and scratches. Marble, on the other hand, is gorgeous but stains easily and requires a lot of cleaning and upkeep to maintain its appearance. Concrete, brick, fiber cement, and steel are other low-maintenance building materials you can consider for your home design.
- Size does matter
Generally, the larger the residence, the more work is necessary for maintenance. But the culture’s mantra, “Buy as much and as big as possible,” may be practical. When you start making money, you may want to buy nice and big stuff, especially when it comes to housing. However, before making decisions, consider factors like the number of bedrooms and “rarely used rooms” that may become dusty and clutter hoarders over time. Remember that sometimes little is more, and downsizing could mean less time decluttering, low maintenance, less obligation to decorate, and ultimately freeing up more time to do other fun things.
- Septic system
Most modern residences are connected to municipal or local sewage systems, but septic systems remain the standard in rural regions where many vacation homes are developed. Some septic systems require more maintenance than others. While it is typically up to your geotec engineer and local shire to determine which one you install, some systems, like the sand-filter option, require significantly less upkeep than others. If you want a low-maintenance solution, research this often-ignored part of your home.
- Consider gas fire
While many enjoy the warmth and ambiance that a wood heater delivers, people frequently overlook how much labor it takes to keep it going. Cutting, splitting, stacking firewood, filling the fireplace once every few hours, regularly cleaning the glass, and annually clearing the chimney are requirements to keep it going. A gas fire might be a nice alternative since it is low-maintenance, low-cost to operate, and gives a comparable ambiance to a wood stove.
- Central vacuum system
A central vacuum system not only increases the value of your property but also makes cleaning simpler. Dust and dirt are unavoidable regardless of the type of floor you pick. A central vacuum system requires simply connecting a hose, removing the need for a costly, large upright vacuum cleaner. Central vacuum systems are also much more powerful than a standard vacuum, so you’ll get the job done faster and more completely.
- Review your window options
Windows today are made to be low-maintenance. Convenient features like between-the-glass blinds decrease the need for cleaning, and tilting sashes make it easy to clean spots that were previously difficult to reach. Who wouldn’t want to spend less time cleaning and more time admiring the view from their lovely new or replacement window? When searching for home window replacement, remember that they will bring more than a few perks you will enjoy for years to come. Don’t hesitate to consult a professional if you need assistance identifying the right window type and material for your project or if you want to guarantee your new or replacement window is correctly installed.
- Use clean line design features
While the classic, Victorian-inspired cottage style is attractive, it is one of the most difficult to maintain. Fancy design elements are ideal for trapping dust and filth. Even if you dislike the currently available designs, try to incorporate things with clean lines whenever possible. The bathroom is an excellent location for this. A claw-foot standalone tub may appear amusing, but cleaning above and under it will take considerably more time than a contemporary walk-in shower.
- Lazy landscaping
If you don’t prefer spending time on the lawn, consider the size of your plot of land and the style of landscaping you’ll have. Lawns and gardens may be time-consuming, so if you don’t want to spend several hours mowing, pruning, and sweeping every week, you should plan a minimal-care landscape. You can visit the local garden store if unsure where to begin. They can assist you in selecting a variety of low-care plants that don’t require a lot of TLC – leaving you with plenty of time to take in the sights.
- Work with a reputable builder
Home builders have the knowledge and years of expertise working in various conditions. The builder you select will also likely influence how much time you require to maintain your home. They understand how to avoid mistakes or deal with unforeseen situations that may cost you significant money in lost time or supplies,so feel free to consider this. Look for a reputable builder that knows your needs and uses high-quality materials and environmentally friendly building processes to guarantee your house is well-built and simple to maintain over time.
As a homeowner, you want to spend more time relaxing and worrying less about things to do to keep your property in shape. The tips discussed above should get you started.
