Tips for choosing easy-care floors and furnishings

It's not every day that you get to buy new furniture or redecorate the kitchen or bathroom. But, when you do, be sure to choose floor and countertop surfaces wisely.

• There are a number of wax-free, easy-care floors to choose from. For countertops in the kitchen or bathroom, you'll find that solid surfaces — those that have few or no seams don't have indentations and are impervious to spills and marks — are remarkably easy to keep clean.
• Over time, many blinds, curtains and other window coverings become magnets for dust and cobwebs. Instead of buying materials that catch dust, choose fabrics treated with a stain-and-dust-resistant finish, or treat the fabric yourself with a fabric protector, following package instructions.

• To childproof a child's bedroom, a playroom or the kitchen, use a good quality low-sheen or semi-gloss scrubbable paint (available from paint stores) on the walls.
• It may cost a bit more than other brands, but marker and crayon will wipe right off it.
• Instead of making a mess of a family room wall by taping and tacking children's artwork to it, you can have a full-wall gallery in your home without the damage. Just cover the wall in a magnetic paint (available from paint stores) and use magnets to post the work of your budding Michelangelos.

• But solid colours hide very little.
• It's also important not to forget your pets when you redecorate. If you have a black Labrador retriever or another dark-haired breed, for example, light-coloured surfaces may not be the wisest choice.

If concrete or mortar joints haven't been sealed, they can slough off bits of sand and concrete dust onto surrounding surfaces. To keep this grime at bay, look for a concrete sealer, available at hardware, paint and home improvement stores.