EASY, breezy

Create less cleaning fuss in the future with our tips for designing a low-maintenance bathroom

- WORDS JANE PARBURY

Making your bathroom sparkle in time for guests is probably high on your to-do list, but if you've had to squeeze yourself and your cleaning kit around the room to deal with limescale, mould and mucky grout, you could be planning a bathroom overhaul. The good news? There are ways to create a low-maintenance wash zone that not only looks great, but becomes simple to look after for future Christmas cleanups. Here's how.

Materials matter

Bigger can certainly be better when it comes to tiles. "Bigger tiles mean fewer grout lines to scrub, and going for grey or tinted grout helps disguise marks and stains over time," says Annabelle McQuillan, principal designer at Bespoke Belle Building Design. Mid-toned tiles, or ones with subtle texture, can also effectively camouflage grime, but be wary of styles with too many ridges as these can collect dust. Sealing grout will have it looking good for longer, resulting in an easier clean.

Pick specialist paint

Always choose a paint specifically designed for kitchen and bathroom walls and ceilings, which have builtin mould and mildew inhibitors to deal with moisture-heavy environments.

Limit the amount of sealant

"Silicone is great for sealing, but it's also one of the first places mould shows up," warns Annabelle. "Try to minimise how much you use – just enough for a neat job only where necessary."