A significant advance has been achieved in the techniques for growing polymers from a surface via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In this review, we highlight recent advances and developments in the field of surface-confined atom transfer radical polymerization (SC-ATRP) with a brief overview of the fundamentals of ATRP. Some exciting current and forthcoming applications of the materials made by SC-ATRP are presented. We conclude with an outline of the future directions in the applications of SC-ATRP towards the design of advanced functional materials with designed performances for many high-value future applications.