| Flooring 1. Ceramic and porcelain tile. Kitchens are both wet zones and high-traffic areas, so proper flooring material... |
| 2. Vinyl. Whether it’s planks or traditional sheets, vinyl is well-equipped to handle your kitchen’s worst. Unlike laminate... |
| Cabinets 1. Flat-panel doors. Even if you’re not a fan of modern design, it’s worth considering flat-panel doors if your... |
| 2. Shaker doors. If flat-panel cabinet doors are just too modern or you aren’t sure if they match your kitchen’s style, shaker... |
| Medium-Tone Stains Dark paints and stains show dust particles and fingerprints. White cabinets don’t, but they show just... |
| Quartz Countertops This engineered product is one tough cookie. It isn’t foolproof, but it’s about as resistant to scratches... |
| Stainless Steel Appliances This staple material isn’t without fault. Stainless steel sinks, for instance, can develop a... |
| Satin Paint for Walls and Cabinets What’s the best low-maintenance paint type for walls and cabinets? It’s a tricky question.... |
| Semigloss Paint for Trims and Baseboards Semigloss paint handles moisture, stains and bumps and bruises exceptionally well,... |
| Backsplashes 1. Ceramic and porcelain. Like their flooring counterparts, ceramic and porcelain tile backsplashes are virtually... |
| 2. Glass. Though glass backsplashes are more likely to show grease and food splatters than ceramic and natural stone, they’re... |
| Window Coverings 1. Vinyl or composite. These include both blinds and shutters. They’re nonporous, scratch-resistant, perform... |
| 2. Machine-washable fabric. Fabric window shades such as roller shades, cellular shades and Roman shades generally aren’t... |
