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Hundreds of Episodes Later, the Property Brothers Warn a “Blinding” Trend Is Making Homes Feel Cold

January 10, 2026 5 min read views
Hundreds of Episodes Later, the Property Brothers Warn a “Blinding” Trend Is Making Homes Feel Cold
Hundreds of Episodes Later, the Property Brothers Warn a “Blinding” Trend Is Making Homes Feel Cold Jonathan and Drew Scott of the Property Brothers Image via Warner Bros. Discovery, HGTV 4 By  Michael Block Published 9 minutes ago Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!  On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK.  In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.  Sign in to your Collider account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The kitchen is the soul of a home. Aside from the bedroom, chances are that it'll be the most occupied space in your house — especially if you're a fan of entertaining. Having renovated hundreds of homes across various shows in their media empire, Jonathan and Drew Scott have encountered countless kitchen nightmares at their clients' request. With many homeowners aiming to modernize their spaces, the Property Brothers have a major piece of advice: avoid blinding amounts of white.

Many designers, whether in real life or on HGTV, have associated white with modernity, so going all-white seems logical. The twins are here to tell you it's actually a trap. While it may make your space look brighter, it can also create a cold, overly harsh feeling. As Drew stated, "If people are going modern, they think of white everywhere, but maybe some contrast is good." Fortunately, these experts know how to help you achieve a modern kitchen with ease.

Contrast Can Bring Character

Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott posing for a profile shot in a kitchen for "Backed by the Bros" Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott, stars of HGTV's 'Backed By The Bros', posing for a profile shot in a kitchen.Image via HGTV

The major issue with an all-white kitchen is that it can instantly detract from the mission. While white may indicate modernity, it also lacks depth and personality. It evokes a stark, bleak aura; it's essential to add much-needed character. Drew shared, "They look at classic tones or marble countertops. It feels timeless, and you can add interest through textures or patterns." Jonathan agreed, saying, “Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. White is classic and nice as long as you don’t go too ultra white on the cabinet.”

White cabinets may seem like the logical place to start, but they're likely the most prominent elements in the kitchen. If the rest of the space isn't bringing in the contrasting elements within white, such as marbling, it will feel flat. However, if white cabinets are a must, selecting the right shade of white is essential. To the untrained eye, all white paints and stains may look identical, but that is far from the truth. Speaking with Taste of Home, their favorite timeless white is known as "cloud white." Subtle and sophisticated, a classy, muted white will never go out of style. The brothers recommend using this swatch for those who are planning an all-white kitchen. Now, to take this a step further, be very attuned to the finish you select.

The Property Brothers Have Quick Fix Tips That Won't Force Home Designers to Abandon White

That said, the Property Brothers are not advocating abandoning the white concept. They just want you to think about how you can make it pop with a splash of color or specific materials. “For the longest time, it’s been white cabinets in white kitchens. Lighter colors help bounce light around and feel cleaner and brighter,” Jonathan said in their Room X Room Series. “But I love a little color. Stained wood, blues, greens.” He recommends trying a “citrusy” vibe, using “illuminating yellows” and soft grays. The best way to incorporate these elements is through pops of color. It can come through bolder backsplashes, brass or gold hardware, or the introduction of textile elements such as stools, tablecloths, or curtains.

Those hints of color can soften the stark white elements and even make them shine more prominently. The beauty of focusing on color during the decorating phase is that, as trends change and emotional attachments to color shift, you can swap them to fit your needs. In fact, you can even match them to the holiday season, helping to make your kitchen space experience a subtle change throughout the year. These less permanent options are a tremendous help to those seeking all-white treatment.

Drew and Jonathan Scott for Chasing the West on HGTV Related More Than a Decade Later, the Property Brothers Say This Home Trend Always Leads to “Regret”

The Property Brothers don't sugarcoat this surprising kitchen truth bomb.

Posts By  Michael Block

With Hundreds Upon Hundreds of Renovations, the Scott Brothers Keep Going Strong

A new year means new episodes of your favorite Property Brothers titles. 2026 is off to a strong start with all-new episodes of Celebrity IOU. This season, the brothers are joining forces with some of Hollywood's finest, including John Stamos, Eva Longoria, William Shatner, Mario Lopez, and Ike Barinholtz. Additionally, Don't Hate Your House with the Property Brothers is back for eight episodes every Monday on HGTV. And you can be sure that on both shows, Jonathan and Drew will be knee-deep in kitchen renovations.

Subscribe for smart kitchen design tips from pros

Join the newsletter for pro kitchen design help: expert color and contrast strategies, ideal finishes and textures, and swap-friendly styling tips that soften all-white schemes and bring personality without a full remodel. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

With the beauty of having a wealth of new and fan favorite episodes at your disposal, you have the opportunity to see the brothers put their advice into practice. Even if you see them design a kitchen in all-white, you'll have their expert feedback on how to make the most of the space with those color accents and elements.

Celebrity IOU airs Sundays at 9:00 pm EST on HGTV. All episodes are available to stream on Max.

celebrity-iou-1.jpg

Celebrity IOU

Like Follow Followed TV-G Reality Release Date 2020 - 2026-00-00 Network HGTV

Cast

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  • Cast Placeholder Image Jonathan Silver Scott Self
  • Cast Placeholder Image Drew Scott Self - Host

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