Designer Pia Capdevila: there are no good or bad materials, only well or badly chosen ones - what to put on the floor, in the kitchen and in the bathroom so it lasts twenty years

Imagine you're renovating a home you won't touch again until 2046. What do you put on the floor, in the kitchen, in the bathroom? That's the question put to Spanish interior designer Pia Capdevila, of the studio Pia Capdevila Interiorismo, and her answer begins with a sentence that ought to hang in every tile showroom: "I don't believe there are good or bad materials, only choices that are well or badly made for a particular purpose."

The key: materials that age well

Capdevila chooses according to use, maintenance and how the material will look after years, not according to trends. She prefers natural materials, quality porcelain stoneware and simple finishes that can be repaired. Natural materials, she says, gain character over time: "Wood, certain stones or handmade tiles acquire personality." How many times have we picked a tile because it was on sale or because we saw it at the neighbours' - without asking what it will look like in ten years?

The money where it hurts to replace

Her budget advice is simple: more money on floors, joinery, installations, the kitchen and the bathroom - everything used every day and expensive to rip out. And don't skimp on hardware. Hinges, drawer runners and opening mechanisms determine everyday use, and poor quality shows quickly. Savings go on textiles, decorations and secondary furniture, which can refresh a space without a new renovation. The logic is clear: invest in what is expensive to replace, and leave room for what depends on current taste.

Floors that last

Natural wood is among her favourites, because if the top layer is thick enough it can be sanded and restored. Another strong choice is large-format porcelain stoneware. Tones should be neutral, textures balanced and formats proportionate. What to avoid are patterns and finishes that are instantly recognisable as "from that season".

Worktops and wall cladding for kitchen and bathroom

For the kitchen worktop, Capdevila most often recommends porcelain stoneware: resistant to heat and stains and easy to maintain. She likes natural stone too, but warns that each type needs its own care, since some react badly to acids or absorb liquids. The wall behind the work surface should be easy to clean, with few grout lines and well matched to the kitchen units. For kitchen and bathroom walls: discreet textures, stone tones, natural finishes and simple formats you won't tire of.

Finishes that don't make you chase every stain

"A house should be designed to be lived in, not to be constantly careful that nothing gets damaged," says Capdevila. That's why she recommends matt or soft satin finishes, textured surfaces and materials that hide everyday marks. In homes with children or pets, porcelain stoneware and certain technical floors work particularly well. Very glossy finishes, very dark plain surfaces and very porous materials in work areas make stains and wear even more visible.

Walls with character, but without overdoing it

Capdevila doesn't think everything has to be neutral. "A wall with personality can stay appealing even after twenty years," she says, if it fits into the whole. She suggests paint in natural tones combined with textured materials - wood, classic mouldings, fabric coverings or wallpaper. In one project by the studio LC Interiores, classic moulded panels are combined with textured wallpaper.

Tried and tested forever

Solid wood is a noble and versatile material, not only for floors but also for made-to-measure, built-in furniture. Other proven choices include terrazzo, terracotta, mineral paints and lime-based coatings. "Very often we don't need to invent anything new, just make good use of what we already know," says the designer. In the Balkans, terracotta and lime have been familiar for generations - now they're coming back as a "timeless" choice.

Restore or replace?

Before you replace a surface, check whether it can be restored. Wood is the clearest example: if the type of floor allows it, it can be sanded and treated without being taken up, which extends its life and gives it a new look. But restoration isn't always the best choice. Floors that take heavy use, or homes with special needs, may call for a tougher material with less maintenance. Capdevila doesn't believe a material that can be restored is automatically better than one that is almost indestructible.

A timeless home doesn't mean a frozen home

Planning for the long term doesn't mean giving up your taste or keeping your home the same for twenty years. The decor changes along with you. Materials should be chosen looking at the whole home, not each room separately - continuity between elements makes it easier later to change furniture or colours, or to add new pieces. Before choosing a finish, think about how it will work with the rest of the house: a material that limits future choices is hard to fit in. The goal is a flexible base that accepts change and still makes sense years later.