12 Home Features That Will Never Go Out Of Style, According To The Property Brothers

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Drew and Jonathan Scott know a thing or two about never going out of style. The Property Brothers have been an HGTV staple since their hit show of the same name premiered in 2011. Since then, across hundreds of episodes and plenty of different TV projects, they've seen it all. In fact, the contractor-real estate duo has been in the business long enough that they've likely watched as trends and features go from super popular to falling from grace — only to find their way back in again. Their experience is key to understanding what features to focus on (and what to avoid!) if you want to create a classic home. 

Even the most classic, modern look can eventually feel dated (we're looking at you, Tuscan kitchens that have now gone out of style). So when installing expensive features — like flooring, countertops, and even paint colors for your home's interior — you want to make sure to get it right. With the twins' decades of combined experience, these are the things they promise have staying power. 

When shelling out for the expensive mainstays of your house, like countertops, floors, and the like, the Scott brothers recommend keeping things calm and classic, so you aren't on the hook for constant renovations as trends change. "So I always love to focus on a classic aesthetic, something that we know is going to last for a long time. A little easy rule of thumb is, the more bold you go with something, the quicker it will go out of style," Jonathan told Parade.

While choosing the wildly patterned marble or selecting one of the Pantone Colors of the Year from the last decade for your cabinets might seem fun, you are taking a huge risk. For example, remember how teal and chevron were all the rage in the early 2010s, but now they are so, so dated? Even something as chic as emerald subway tile has the potential for the same fate. Instead, Jonathan warns that the more neutral these types of things are, the better. "So try and think of big-ticket items, like the stone on your countertops, the color of your floors and the color of your cabinets, and go with something that's maybe a little bit more neutral and will last," he continued.

If there is one mainstay in the design world, it seems to be the all-white kitchen. That is, white countertops, backsplashes, and cabinets. "We may not design as many white kitchens as we used to, but there is something clean and classic about a bright white aesthetic," the brothers shared on Facebook. However, Jonathan is quick to add a word of warning about all-white interior design. "Too much of a good thing is not a good thing," he told The Kitchn. "White is classic and nice as long as you don't go too ultra white on the cabinet."

This is because too much white-on-white can start to look a little stark and sterile. It seems more like a hospital and not a warm, inviting space, if the undertones are too cool. So when choosing your cabinet paint color, go for a white with warm undertones. The brothers likeBenjamin Moore's White Dove for this purpose. However, you can also warm up a kitchen with color through textiles, like dish towels, non-slip rugs, or even sink skirts, like this Red Striped Cotton Sink Skirt on Etsy. Sink skirts are one of the outdated kitchen features that are unexpectedly coming back in style, and are also easily swapped out if tastes change.

Tech can always evolve, so laying the correct groundwork is important when turning your house into a smart home. That is, we've all seen the "Property Brothers" episodes with clunky '80s intercoms or outdated doorbells. To avoid this, the Scott brothers recommend investing in the behind-the-scenes electric work as you install things. "I also believe in future-proofing your home when it comes to electrical," Jonathan said on their Drew & Jonathan blog. "So, getting something like a smart panel or running conduit so you could run future electrical when things change."

One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying a doorbell camera is choosing one without app-access, so you can't review footage or answer the door remotely. The next mistake is installing something that requires complex electrical skills. In fact, most HGTV stars recommend choosing an experienced contractor for any updates that require a license, such as electrical work, due to the high risk of serious injury.

The brothers recommend luxury vinyl planking (LVP) over hardwood because it's so durable. Its main selling point is that LVP tends to just last and last and last — a major upside when designing a classic home. "I am going to say no splurging on hardwood," Drew was quoted as saying on the Drew & Jonathan blog. "If you have a contractor husband, four dogs, and six kids, you're going to trash those floors in no time." Instead, he tells readers to "splurge on some great floors like luxury vinyl. Because it looks like hardwood if you get a quality luxury vinyl, and it will last a long time."

Not only does LVP tend to last longer with less work, but it's also cheaper to install upfront as well. LVP typically runs $2 to $7 per square foot, while hardwood ranges from $8 to $25 for the same sizes. With these savings, you can invest money into other areas of your home, like refreshing outdated hardware or choosing higher-quality finishes elsewhere. Plus, because LVP comes in so many styles and tones, it gives you the flexibility to match your flooring to any design direction without blowing your budget.

While paint might be one of the easiest things to update in a home, The Property Brothers recently unveiled their favorite, timeless paint colors for all areas of your home. These hues show up often on the show and are marketed as "always in style" on the Drew & Jonathan blog. First up is Benjamin Moore's Chelsea Gray. This color shows up in "Property Brothers: Buying & Selling" Season 7, Episode 9 as a chic offset to the gray of the stainless steel appliances. Because it has a bit of brown mixed in, it's just warm enough — making it perfect for lively spaces like the kitchen.

The next timeless paint color is Benjamin Moore's White Dove. This color is inspired by "Brother Vs. Brother" Season 6, Episode 1. While the boys used Kelly-Moore's White Cloud, the now-discontinued paint is easily replaced by White Dove. It works well in large, open spaces, because it has yellow undertones, so it seems crisp and clean without seeming stark. Finally, the Scott brothers recommend Benjamin Moore's Grenada Villa as seen in "Brother Vs. Brother" Season 6, Episode 5, in which Drew creates the perfect beach-inspired bedroom with this soft, coastal green.

When designing your kitchen, ease of use should be top of mind. That is, the dishwasher should be near the sink, so you don't have to carry wet plates across the space after rinsing them. Another thing to consider is sources of natural light, as well as sightlines — which is why the brothers recommend always placing a window above the kitchen sink. "It's always ideal to position the kitchen sink under a window, so adding this large picture window was the perfect way to accomplish this classic kitchen look," they posted to Facebook.

When planning for that window, think about how it can actively improve the way your kitchen works, not just how it looks. Choose a width that gives you enough natural light to prep and clean without relying on overhead fixtures, and check that it lines up with your primary work zones, so you're not blocking light with tall cabinets or appliances. You can even extend the windowsill slightly to create a small ledge for herbs or dish soap, adding function without clutter. If you're renovating, consider a window style that's easy to open with one hand, such as casement or slide, since you'll often be reaching over the sink and might have one soapy, wet hand.

Open floor plans aren't going anywhere. In fact, they're the one design concept Jonathan Scott says will never go out of style. "I don't think you're going to have fully compartmentalized houses like they did in the past," he said on an episode of "Block Talk!" per YouTube. The key to making an open layout feel intentional and not overwhelming is to define zones without closing anything off. You can use area rugs to visually separate the living and dining spaces, and rely on lighting (like pendants over the island or a statement fixture above the table) to create natural boundaries. Furniture placement is equally important: Float your sofa to divide the room or use a console table to separate high-traffic walkways. And if your home isn't fully open already, removing a half-wall or widening a doorway can instantly create that airy, connected feel without taking on a full remodel.

The brothers swear that this kind of halfway open concept is better than closing things off completely — it provides a better flow to the space, which is why it's a classic. "We see the potential when we walk in and find boxy layouts and isolated spaces," Drew said in a press release for their newest show, "Don't Hate Your House with the Property Brothers," per Better Homes & Gardens. "Transforming a home to truly suit a family's needs will create a better environment and happier home life for everyone."

A timeless rule that designers swear by is to give each room a clear focal point. Think of it as the anchor that instantly tells the eye where to land, making the space feel intentional, instead of scattered. "We do say that every room in your design should have a focal point, a statement piece," Jonathan told Realtor.com. "Whether it's a chandelier, a rug, art, sofa. Whatever it is, you get to choose what that is, and seamlessly blend in the rest." Statement pieces will never go out of style because they're less about trends and more about creating a sense of purpose in a room. No matter how design preferences shift over the years, having one strong focal point always brings a sense of balance and personality to a space.

The trick to keeping things classic is choosing one hero element and letting everything else support it. If you pick a bold chandelier, keep surrounding fixtures simple. If your statement is an oversized piece of art, arrange furniture so it naturally faces it. In smaller spaces, even a patterned rug or unique mirror can do the heavy lifting. And if the room feels "off," it's often because there are multiple items competing, so edit down until one piece leads and the rest follow. This simple rule works in every room, every era, and every design style.

To make traditional details feel like forever, instead of just passing trends, the key is choosing elements that nod to the home's history, while still supporting the way people live today. That might mean keeping classic shapes like arches, paneled cabinetry, or even vintage-inspired lighting, but then simplifying them so they feel cleaner and more modern. "You can mix genres," Drew said during Season 10, Episode 6 of "Celebrity IOU," per HGTV. "I love everything that looks like it's of the era of the home, but it doesn't necessarily have to be from that era. You can do something a little more functional for today's flow of the house."

This could look like widening an original archway to improve sightlines and make way for larger modern furniture, choosing traditional cabinet profiles with on-trend hardware, or integrating storage and lighting that blend in seamlessly, rather than competing with those architectural features. Plus, small updates like using the timeless color palette recommended by the brothers, or swapping busy trim for streamlined molding, let you honor the home's character, while still making it work for the way you live now.

Countertop materials need to accomplish two goals: They should look good — and also last long! Marble-look quartz can strike the perfect balance between beauty and practicality. You get the soft veining and elegant look of real marble, but without the staining, etching, or constant upkeep that comes with the real deal. "A marble-look quartz countertop is classic and timeless, while also being incredibly functional!" The brothers shared on Facebook.

When choosing your slab, look for patterns that complement your cabinet style. You should choose subtle veining for a clean, modern kitchen, or bolder movement if you want the counters to act as a focal point. Opt for a matte finish to disguise daily wear, and consider running the material up the wall as a backsplash for a seamless, high-end look. It's one of those upgrades that elevates any kitchen style, while still standing up to real life.

Exposed wooden beams have been a design staple for centuries, and the reason they still feel so fresh is that they instantly add warmth and architectural character to a room. They make large or tall spaces feel grounded, which is why designers consistently come back to them when talking about long-lasting style. "It almost seems like a missed opportunity when somebody has nice high ceilings or especially a vaulted ceiling, and they don't put in wood beams," Jonathan told Barron Designs, per YouTube. The brothers often partner with Barron Designs, which sells both authentic and look-alike wooden beams for any space, like the Wire Brushed Wood Beams in Rustic Natural.

If you're considering beams, you don't need a historic home or even structural beams to get the look. You can buy decorative beams, which are lightweight, more affordable, and easier for contractors to mount. You can also choose a stain that complements your floors or cabinetry to help tie the room together. And if you're worried about commitment, start small: Adding just one or two beams across a vaulted ceiling can create that timeless architectural impact, without overwhelming the space.

At the end of the day, the brothers are quick to remind their fans that no matter what trends come and go, personal style will always come out on top. "It's so important for people to have a space that they love, and that you wake up happy every morning in your house," Drew told NBC. "A big part of that is what you have for your furniture, your art, your décor." He emphasizes that filling your home with things that you actually like makes everything better.

If you just chase trends, even if it's something that everyone else thinks will never go out of style, then you're more likely to end up stuck with things you don't enjoy. This can be more expensive in the long term, as you'll need to change them, and also dampen the everyday enjoyment of your property. "If you're not stressing in your home, it will help you live many, many more years because you're happier where you live," he continued. So don't stress too much about what's in style or what isn't. If you like a feature, and it's functional in your space, just go for it.