What is the Lowest Maintenance Kitchen Design?
Countertops Inside
The elegant, organic look of white Carrera marble is enjoyed by many people, but it is prone to stains over time. White Macaubas granite is suggested because its natural veining provides a similar look to marble-many people confuse it in the homes of their customers for marble.
The Cabinets
Because as the temperature and humidity change, they expand and contract, wood cabinets are prone to hairline cracks at the joints that can accumulate grime, particularly noticeable when they are painted white. They advise customers to use medium-density fiberboard (MDF) cabinets, a synthetic material, since they are less vulnerable to such cracks when painted, while still resembling real wood. A bonus: the paint adheres to MDF well, so it's not going to chip as quickly.
In modern kitchens, lacquer finishes produce a smooth, glass-like finish that is common. For white cabinets, instead of high-gloss, it recommends a matte lacquer that helps to highlight smudges and fingerprints.
Backsplashing
Steer clear of tiles with a lot of texture, like stacked or rough tiles: nooks and crannies can be found in grease, and cleaning can take a long time.
Designers say good bets are ceramic, porcelain, and glass, which are less susceptible to stains, for a low-maintenace backsplash. Glazed subway tile is one common option for white kitchens, which needs little maintenance, just wiping stains with water.
Sinks
Water often drips down the porcelain front and onto the cabinets below, potentially staining and warping them, while farmhouse-style sinks are common , especially in white kitchens. They suggest an undermount sink if you have kids and your sink is going to be dirty, "explaining that stainless steel undermount sinks are easy to clean and don't chip."