Out with the old, in with the new, declares The Property Brothers!
Formally known as Jonathan and Drew Scott, The Property Brothers are popular for their competitive show on the W Network where they flip homes to see who can claim the highest selling price afterward. The show was recently renewed for an eighth season in 2022, giving their dedicated fans a whole lot more to love.
The brothers seem to always be on the same page when it comes to home renovations. While some retro features have made a stylish comeback in homes, the duo issues a cautionary note in season 7, episode 6, “The Next Multigeneration,” about these top three “dated” home characteristics:
Mirrored Walls
In the episode, Jonathan says, “Fully mirrored walls came and went,” while discussing the panels inside the living room of a El Segundo, CA home that was in need of a revamp. It was obvious that the property dated to some time back in the heart of the 1980s judging by the home’s layout an interior design.
In the episode, Jonathan removes the mirrored wall using a suction tool that dismantled the mirrored surface almost instantly. This look could give rooms a very cluttered look, depending on the other additions in the room. While a few homes can pull it off, for The Property Brothers, removing these can instantly enhance the room’s appearance, making it more inviting.
Sunken Living Rooms
“A lot of this house is stuck in the ’80s, like this sunken living room,” Drew explains. “It was such a hot trend for quite a long time, and then people realized everyone falls on their face.”
In the episode, $10,000 was spent on leveling the floors in the home.
“While this process proved to be quite intricate, both brothers firmly agree that the trend fizzled out rapidly, leaving an unexpected number of homes burdened with a style that fell out of favor with homeowners due to late night tumbles.
“If there was a sunken living room, I would find my face on it,” Johnathan retorts.
Decorative Window Bars
For clarity, decorative window bars do not belong entirely to the ’80s just like the other two items on the list, but The Property Brother still feel all the same when it comes to their presence in any home.
“We’re getting rid of the bars on the back slider and the window,” Johnathan announced in the episode. “We want to make sure that we can open that space up.” In exchange, Jonathan installs a slider that modulates the flow of natural sunlight, imparting a warm and welcoming finish to the home.
“Something that I think will transform how they use their indoor-outdoor space is having this massive slider,” says Johnathan. This is a refreshing alternative to the bars that now feel unnecessary in the sunny backyard.
If you’re looking for more advice for bringing out the best in your home, check out Dream Home: The Property Brothers’ Ultimate Guide to Finding & Fixing Your Perfect House.
