Just as bell-bottoms gave way to slim-fit jeans, neon turned to flannel, shoulder pads went the way of beehives, and a clean-shaven face disappeared under a beard, style is constantly evolving. From what a person wears to how they do their hair, change is the trend.

The same can be said for home décor. The colored bathroom tiles of the 70s and 80s can date a house. Wallpaper disappeared, to be replaced by bold paint colors. Those evolved into more neutral tones — beige, creams and grays. Wall-to-wall carpeting was ripped up; in its place, hardwoods.

Sometimes trends can be dizzying, they’re in and out again so quickly. But when it comes to homes, some trends turn out to be timeless. Others, a mere flash in the pan. Ultimately, interior design is rooted on what makes a person comfortable in their own space, but here are a few trends happening now. We’ll see if they stick around.

A NEW LOOK

For years, granite has been a staple in kitchen and bathrooms. It’s stylish, easy to clean and has been used for eons—some of the world’s oldest buildings are hewn from the rock. Though the sheen of a polished slab of granite has been popular countertop choice for a quite a while, now granite has a new look, a leathered finish that gives it a matte look, adding depth and color variation. A diamond-tipped brush is scrubbed over the stone repeatedly, simultaneously smoothing away imperfections and adding texture. The result is unique, a bit rustic work of art that allows the stone’s natural colors to shine.

One of the pros of having leathered granite countertops is they’re hard to stain — the process actually tightens the pores of the rock. Fingerprints and water spots disappear into the textured surface, as well. The cons are these countertops can be a tiny bit uneven, allowing crumbs and liquids to hide in spots; they’re also easier to scratch, but with a sturdy sealant, scratches can be avoided.

IT’S A WASH

A brick fireplace can be an eyecatcher or an eyesore, depending on what type of brick was used to build and when. Those same brick fireplaces that made a room cozy decades ago, now feel a bit dark and dreary. In the past, a coat or three of latex paint would take care of the problem. Today, homeowners are choosing to use a lighter hand, by whitewashing the brick to take that dark edge off. Whitewashing won’t cover bricks’ natural color completely; instead, it simply mutes the color, leaving each individual brick’s color variation and texture intact. Whitewashing can lighten and brighten a room, turning that old eyesore into a focal point for a room.

WALKABOUT

Hardwood floors are timeless. They’re beautiful. They’re also expensive. At $8 to $25 per square foot versus $2 to $5 per square foot, more people are turning to vinyl to replace hardwood flooring. Years ago, vinyl options were limited and looked and felt like exactly what they were — fake wood — but as time and technology have progressed, many luxury vinyl tile styles are nearly indistinguishable from hardwood.

Hardwood floors suffer over time — because they’re natural, they will, of course, degrade the years. If a hardwood floor is not cared for diligently, moisture and climate (and, perhaps, termites) will have their way. LVT, however, is both moisture and climate resistant, and is built with a hard, durable layer that stands up to the test of time. Pets can’t seem to scratch it and little to no upkeep is needed, even in high-traffic areas. Plus, there are many, many styles and colors to choose from.