How to design a low-maintenance kitchen

Make life easier with a few clever details that help minimise your workload and create a low-maintenance kitchen.

Designing a beautiful and low-maintenance kitchen covers so many things. From planning a layout that suits your space and selecting your preferred cabinet style to making sure your kitchen functions in a way that works for you. It’s also important to think about how easy it is to maintain on a day-to-day basis. Choosing durable materials that offer you longevity is certainly one way you can reduce maintenance woes. Same goes for considering details that will make cleaning your kitchen less labour intensive.

 At Davonport, we work with our clients to make sure that the bespoke kitchen they get fits in with their lifestyle. So if having a low-maintenance space is important to you, we’ve got a few tips to consider when planning your dream room.

Cabinets all the way to the ceiling

Climbing a step ladder or perching precariously on a chair to wipe the top of cabinets is not really a good use of anyone’s time. So it makes perfect sense to go for cupboards that are flush with your ceiling. As well as giving the dust one less place to settle, it also maximises your available storage – tall ceiling-height cabinets are a great idea for a more compact space.

Make room for more bins

Keeping your kitchen tidy and the worktops clutter free is always easier with bins that are within easy reach. From recycling to compost and general waste bins, these can be hidden behind cabinet doors, or you could choose a free-standing, design-led style that complements your interior. And don’t feel like you are only allowed one bin – if you have a large open plan room, add another so there’s no excuse to remove rubbish from sight.

Pick easy-clean appliances

Cookers, dishwashers and fridge freezers are notorious for attracting fingerprints – so picking options with easy-to-wipe doors is sure to make life easier. When it comes to integrated appliances, naturally your choice of cabinet style will dictate how easy they are to look after. That’s why the current trend for modern, smooth, flat doors definitely ticks the box if cleaning fancy panels or mouldings isn’t top of your list of things to do.

Install an induction hob

Spills from cooking are par for the course, so a hob that’s a breeze to wipe over is a bonus. A smooth and sleek induction hob is a great choice. Made from durable glass – and free from buttons and dials – they make the ideal option for a cooker top that’s easy to clean. And because it’s the pan that heats up – not the hob – there’s no burnt on food to remove.

Worktops with less work

Choosing your work surface has a big impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. But what’s the easiest to maintain? Smooth, seamless worktops like quartz and granite are easy to wipe over, not to mention durable. The trend for slab backsplashes means you can continue the surface up the wall, making it simple to mop up everyday mess. It’s worth bearing in mind that some materials, like wood and natural stone, will also require upkeep (sealing and varnishing) to keep them looking their best so factor that in when making your choice.

Put shelves behind glass

Open shelves are one of the biggest trends of late – but the practicality of them is up for debate. We’ve already looked at the other options available for showing off your favourite glassware or ornaments – so if cleaning shelves and everything on them sounds like your idea of hard work, it’s worth looking at glass-fronted cabinets as an alternative.