Choosing a dark color for the floor will help camouflage dirt. In a new-construction home where heavy use is anticipated, consider installing a central drain, which allows you to hose down the floor. When it comes to wallcoverings, the pros have different opinions. It's easy to sponge clean, provides some protection for the wallboard and can add color or a pattern to a room. Others opt for a high-gloss paint, accepting the fact that walls will get dinged up and will need regular repainting.
Wainscoting offers effective, good-looking protection.
For baseboards, vinyl cove is the low-maintenance, economical choice for a room that gets mopped frequently, but traditional wood molding is nicer. In a Better Light Lighten Up Click here for books about entryways. Privacy policy .