This perspective offers an overview of polymer brushes; thin films of polymers anchored to a substrate. Three common synthesis methods are reviewed including atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT), and nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP). The characteristics of brush density and solvent on polymer brushes are elucidated and examined in relation to possible applications of polymer brushes. The applications of polymer brushes in colloid stabilization and antifouling are demonstrated in regards to brush density and general properties of polymer architectures commonly used in polymer brushes.