Craving a Cleaner Home? 5 Features to Include When Building or Remodeling Your Home

Who doesn’t want a cleaner home? Imagine what you could do if you gained several hours of time in your schedule. Would you sneak off for a beautiful afternoon hike? Could you finally get caught up on your work to-do list? Spend more time with family and friends? Cozy up with a good book or cook a gorgeous gourmet meal? Oh, the possibilities… 

The average American spends six to seven hours cleaning their homes each week. We have a feeling that you could put many of those 360 minutes to better use! When you include some strategic features in your remodel or new home build, you cut down on chore time – and maximize you time. 

5 Features for a Cleaner Home 

Ready for a cleaner home – and a few more hours in your week? You can easily upgrade your home with practical, convenient, and attractive features, such as: 

1. Drop Zones.

A drop zone takes the concept of the ultra-convenient mudroom and elevates it in terms of both practicality and style. With a well-organized drop zone at your home’s entrances, you can tame the chaos of sports gear, gym bags, boots, shoes, coats, backpacks, permission slips, and other clutter that usually finds its way onto kitchen counters or gathers in entryways. 

When planning your drop zone, put functionality first. Depending on the needs of your family, you may incorporate:  

• A designated spot for papers (e.g. permissions slips, school notices, mail, etc.) 
• Shelves and/or cubbies for shoes 
• A bench seat to make it easy to slip shoes/boots on and off (shoe cubbies can be built in below for effective use of space) 
• Coat hooks within easy reach for different family members 
• A charging station for electronics  
• A spot (e.g. cubby or basket) for keys, sunglasses, and other grown-up gear 
• Utility sinks for easy cleanup after outdoor activities  
• A well-organized console table if space is an issue 

The key is keeping the drop zone clutter free and organized. Encourage children to adopt the “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Easier said than done, right? Bribe them! When they come in, if they remove their shoes, hang up their backups, and put their school papers in the basket, for example, they get their snack. (And if you need to incentivize yourself to do the same, go ahead! You deserve a cookie.) 

https://liveaco.com/projects/sea-star-home-remodel-first-floor-photos-room-room/

2. Home Office

As more of us work at home, one fact becomes abundantly clear: a floral arrangement or centerpiece looks a lot nicer on the dining room/kitchen table than files, power cords, chargers, notes, pens, whiteboards, and Post-its. It can also be more difficult to balance work and life when work is always sitting around like a hungry guest.  

A home office is an excellent investment in your professional life and a surefire way to keep a cleaner home. You can easily organize your essentials and create a productive atmosphere that doesn’t spill over into the rest of your home. Built-in shelves or a custom desk are the perfect addition for keeping your home office organized. You could also add an architectural accent wall in your home office to give the space some personality.  

And, at the end of whatever workday you have established, you can close the door and “clock out.”  

https://liveaco.com/projects/custom-desk-project/

In this home office, ACo introduced a custom-designed deck, as well as additional cabinet storage to ensure easy access to critical work materials and a clutter-free environment.  

3. Antimicrobial Finishes

Antimicrobial surfaces are an effective first line of defense against bacteria, germs, and pathogens that can impact the health of your family. When you have antimicrobial finishes on your sinks, fixtures, and even your flooring, you can stop the growth of potentially dangerous microorganisms. As a bonus, you can also cut down on the time you spend cleaning and sanitizing your kitchen and bathroom. 

https://image.fergusonshowrooms.com/prodimages/signatureh/imageHuge/439327-33-double-bowl-smooth-copper-retrofit-farmhouse-sink.jpg 

Signature Hardware Apron Front Sink from Ferguson 

Copper fixtures, hardware, sinks, and decor elements, for example, are incredibly effective in the fight against microorganisms. Copper begins to eliminate germs upon contact, and within just two hours, 99.9% of hazardous bacteria is gone – compared to up to 72 hours for other surfaces.  

Installing show-stopping copper elements or other antimicrobial surfaces (e.g. sealed quartz countertops, treated stainless steel) ensures you achieve a deep, safe clean without having to go back over it again and again with harsh chemical cleaners.  

4. Touchless Faucets

Traditional faucets can quickly show the grit and grime of everyday life. When you cook or clean, you transfer the mess to the faucet and hardware. You also transfer germs and bacteria. For example, when you’re preparing raw chicken, you come into contact with salmonella, listeria, staphylococcus aureus, and other microorganisms that can make you sick. They can live on these surfaces for several hours or days. (As mentioned, though, copper is an effective antimicrobial!). 

With touchless faucets, you wash the germs down the drain without coming into contact with your kitchen surfaces. Another way to cut down cleaning time and maintain sanitary conditions in your home.  

https://www.us.kohler.com/us/Response-Touchless-Technology/article/CNT123100035.htm 

Powered by accurate and reliable Response® technology, a KOHLER® touchless kitchen faucet makes your daily routine more hygienic and efficient. 

5. Bidets 

Bidets are common throughout Europe and Asia, and they’re rapidly becoming a sought-after feature in America’s high-end homes. The invention is not new, but it can revolutionize your bathroom experience and even your cleaning routine. Bidets help prevent the spread of germs from hands to surfaces – a bit less scrubbing and worries for you when it comes to cleaning. 

Bidets are exceptionally sanitary; many models even feature nozzles that are self-cleaning. Additionally, they utilize very little water, and are ideal for those who are post-natal, had surgery, or experience hemorrhoids. Installing a bidet can also be an effective way to reduce the use of toilet paper, which has long-term environmental consequences.  

Love Where You Live  

When planning your home remodel or designing your new custom home, consider these five features. They will help you maintain cleaner, more sanitary spaces, while adding convenience to your days; and they will do so with exceptional elegance! If you’re ready to spend less time cleaning and more time loving where you live, contact ACo to schedule a free – and worry-free! – consultation.