Many eagerly dream of the kitchen they’re going to cook in. But what if all you want is a kitchen that’s easy to clean?
Test out your triangle
A cardinal rule in kitchen remodeling is to start with “the triangle.” This refers to the triangular area formed between your cooktop, sink, and refrigerator. This triangle should be designed so that you can easily move around these workstations without feeling too cramped. Yet you should also ensure the space isn’t so wide that others keep passing through as you work.
A well-planned triangle is essential to both a kitchen’s efficiency and cleanliness. Shorter distances between sink and stove, for example, can keep messes contained within a small area. They can also shorten trips carrying ingredients and dishes, lowering chances for slips and spills.
Top off the triangle with… trash?
Drawing up the triangle is all well and good, but if you don’t consider where to put garbage bins within it, you might end up with a literal and figurative mess. Here’s an unconventional starting point: to design an easy-to-clean kitchen, determine early where you’ll put the trash.
Should you keep the bins under the sink? That would keep them out of sight, but perhaps also out of easy reach. Can you design pull-out drawers for them? Where would be the best place for these? You may also consider leaving bins in plain view. Is there a nook or cranny where they can be more discreet?
Choose stoves and sinks that lessen the mess
Once your layout is set, survey home stores around Atlanta for cleaning-friendly cooktops and sinks.
Gas cooktops are popular for their usability and heating efficiency, while coil electric ones are preferred for affordability. However, both these types are difficult to clean. Smooth electric and induction cooktops are not; you might want to consider them for this reason. They do cost more and work only with certain kinds of cookware, but they can pay dividends in terms of speed, safety, and style.
Undermount and integral sinks are better than self-rimming ones. These sinks connect with countertops, allowing you to sweep any messes from the counter straight to the drain. Don’t forget to install a spray nozzle which can help you make a quick job of cleaning dishes and the sink itself.
Close gaps in the flooring
Flooring is not always a prime consideration during kitchen remodeling, but you can improve it to keep clean. Use tile floors with large square and small grout lines, or ask your contractor to close the gaps between the floor and counter “toe-kicks.” Doing these will prevent grime from building up in hard-to-reach places, and let you get your floors cleaned much more easily.
Sources:
Easy-to-Clean Kitchen Design Tips, BHG.com
How to Design a Smarter, Better, Easier to Use (and Clean!) Kitchen, BonAppetit.com
How to Choose the Best Cooktop, CompactAppliance.com
