Making your Apartment Maintenance-Free: 8 Practical Tips

Design trends come and go, but it’s likely there are plenty of features in your apartment you’d rather not switch out every few seasons. While every home needs a cosmetic update once in a while, we ultimately want longevity from our furnishings and fixtures. In this blog, we look at eight practical ways to keep the maintenance of your apartment to a minimum.

1. Invest in quality 

Quality pays for itself in the long run. Ask yourself at the outset what you consider to be essential and think about how you interact with your space. Identify where you spend the most time – and what you use most – to decide where your money would be best invested.

Factor in how much time you realistically have for cleaning and maintenance in your day-to-day life. If spending more means maintaining less in the long run, do the maths to see where it serves you to splurge and where you’re better off holding back. 

2. Forever floors

Floors get the most wear-and-tear, so they’re a good place to start. Carpet harbours a lot of dust and needs regular cleaning, so consider some low-maintenance alternatives.

If you choose wood, laminate or engineered hardwood are a lot more forgiving than solid hardwood (and better able to withstand the clawing of four-legged family members!) Tile is another hardy option and, unlike wood, it doesn’t contract and expand with changes in temperature and humidity. A natural material with a textured surface like stone is a versatile material that suits any décor and can also hide dust and dirt, thanks to the varying shades in the gradient of the tiles. Pro tip: choose larger tiles for less grouting to maintain!

3. Banish humidity

Hot summers and southeasterly winds mean year-round humidity in Malta. This means indoor mould and mildew. So, how do you tackle this dreaded duo for the longer term? 

• Cure: Wash mould and mildew away with soap and water and use bleach to lift stains.
• Prevent: Paint walls and ceilings with waterproof paint, like satin or semi-gloss paint, which won’t peel and flake over time (especially in high-condensation areas like kitchens and bathrooms).
• Easily maintain: Open windows and switch on fans to let the air circulate after cooking or showering, and wipe steam and spills off surfaces to prevent mould spores from settling. Then, use a humidity monitor to warn you when levels are high and a dehumidifier to absorb excess moisture.

4. Put rust to rest 

Install rust-resistant fixtures, apertures and countertops. Stainless steel is always a safe option as it resists corrosion and remains a popular choice for hardware like sinks and taps. It’s also a great choice for door handles around your apartment. As for doors and windows – install heavy-duty aluminium frames. These can be finished to give a modern, high-end look to any room. 

5. Sun protection 

Sun protection isn’t just for people! With 3,000 hours of high-UV sunshine a year in Malta, sunlight can cause furniture and upholstery to fade fast. The solution? Buy thick curtains, blinds or tinted windows that prevent fabrics from fading, appliances from yellowing and plastics from cracking. 

6. Be careful with colour 

If you know you’re the type to cringe at the sight of a mark on a white wall, do yourself a favour and stay away from bold colours for surfaces that get a lot of traffic, like floors and cabinet doors. Bright colours may make a statement, but so will any spots and scuffs that show up in stark contrast. Instead, use a neutral colour palette so that evidence of day-to-day life doesn’t stand out.

7. Have less, maintain less

You can make home maintenance easier by reducing clutter. Take the minimalist approach by opting for sleek, wipe-clean surfaces and steer clear of ornate trimmings, panels and other design features that gather grime. 

In the kitchen, avoid glass-front cabinets as these are constantly exposed to steam, smudges and splashes. Instead, reserve glass showcases for displaying art and photos, saving you the hassle of dusting these on open shelves. You could also consider wooden furniture with a glazed paint or wood stain that seals cracks and stops dust from collecting. 

8. Embrace the imperfect 

The Japanese philosophy of ‘wabi-sabi’ focuses on appreciating the beauty in imperfection – which is a great approach to remove the stress of maintaining your apartment. The focus of the philosophy is to choose materials that age gracefully, like earthenware and wood that remains beautiful even as it weathers. Look into furniture that will hold up and add charm to your apartment.

The RE/MAX Takeaway

Ready to find your maintenance-free apartment? Perhaps you’re looking for a low-effort home for your family, or you’d like to rent out an apartment that can handle whatever your tenants throw at it. Whatever your situation, we’re here to help! Get in touch today at remax-malta.com.