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2024 categories

Our comprehensive Interior Design Best of Year Award categories recognize the most impactful design achievements of the year, honoring excellence across all dimensions of design.

Best of Year Project Categories celebrate the collective expertise and creative excellence of architecture and design firms, recognizing standout projects that define a firm’s portfolio whether large or small, generalist or specialist.

Best of Year Product Categories shine a spotlight on the best in design solutions, honoring products that demonstrate excellence in areas such as functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and more.

Products and projects may be submitted under multiple categories.

Products

accessories

planters, screens, dividers, desk accessories, decorative

tabletop

dishes, glassware, silverware, etc.

acoustical applications

acoustical treatments, products, or systems to reduce noise.

architectural products

doors, windows, paint, etc.

hardware

door handles, pulls, knobs, 

bath fittings + fixtures

faucets, sinks, tubs, etc.

kitchen + bath cabinetry

kitchen or bar cabinetry, vanities, laundry rooms, etc.

kitchen appliances

cooking units, refrigeration, washing units

kitchen fittings + fixtures

faucets, taps, sinks, etc.

commercial flooring: broadloom

contract grade that is not tiles or rugs.  

commercial flooring: modular + rugs

including carpet tiles and rugs

residential flooring: rugs + carpets

broadloom, carpet tile, wood 

flooring: hard

VCT, rubber, wood, laminate, or man-made materials.

flooring: tile + stone

porcelain or ceramic tiles, manufactured stone or natural stone

contract furniture: case goods

laminate or wood bookcase, files, storage units

contract furniture: desking

laminate or wood desks and desk systems

contract furniture: partitions + wall systems

architectural or demountable wall systems, large partitions that are not free-standing

contract furniture: systems

furniture systems include panel-based, beam-based, or freestanding to create office

spaces

contract furniture: tables

laminate or wood tables for conference, board or collaborative spaces

education furniture

furniture designed for K-12 or Higher ed spaces

health + wellness furniture 

furniture for healthcare, spas or clinical use

environmental impact

a product that addresses our environmental impact

outdoor furniture

outdoor chaises, sofas, tables, swings

residential furniture: dining tables

 

residential furniture: occasional tables

end tables, coffee tables, sofa tables, etc.

residential furniture: storage

hutches, credenzas, armoires, files, etc.

residential furniture: beds

 

residential furniture: desks

 

lighting: architectural

lighting solutions that emphasize design innovation and creating a visual impact within built environments.

lighting: chandelier (multiple bulb)

multiple-bulb chandeliers

lighting: floor

floor lamps

lighting: pendant (single bulb)

single-bulb pendant

lighting: sconce

wall sconces

lighting: table

table lamps, desk lamps, etc.

contract seating: conference

chairs designed for conference or board room areas

contract seating: guest

chairs designed for guest areas in lobbies, offices, or collaborative areas.

contract seating: lounge

lounge chairs or other seating to be used in lounge areas.

contract seating: sofa

sofas or sofa systems for contract use

contract seating: task

task chairs designed for desk work, light to heavy use.

contract seating

seating solutions designed for commercial environments, including benches, stools, and additional seating. (see additional categories for task, sofa, conference, guest, and lounge.)

 

 

residential seating: accent

a functional seat that adds a splash of color or texture and is meant to supplement the rest of the room’s design.

residential seating: lounge

chaise, lounge chairs

residential seating: side

guest seating and dining chairs

residential seating: sofa

sofas, sectionals, etc.

residential seating

seating solutions designed for residential spaces. (see additional categories specifically for lounge, side, sofas, and accent seating.)

 

outdoor seating

outdoor chairs, lounges, stools, etc.

textiles: contract

 

textiles: healthcare

 

textiles: hospitality

 

textiles: outdoor

 

textiles: residential

 

wall covering: contract

 

wall covering: fabric

 

wall covering: paper

 

wall covering: tile and stone

 

materials, treatments + surfaces (including paneling)

for walls or ceilings, outside cladding, etc.

reissue

Products from a manufacturer’s archive that have made a return to market this year.

technology

functional solutions with physical aesthetics and user experience at its core, including software, hardware, interface, and product solutions.

student product design

the student product category is FREE for students to enter. Eligible product designs include but are not limited to: accessories, architectural products, fabric, furniture, kitchen & bath, lighting, and wall covering. Complete the student submission form HERE.

Projects

exhibition/installation

 

beauty/spa

 

environmental branding + graphics

a graphics and branding program designed specifically for interiors

marketing + branding collateral

branding or marketing collateral design (i.e. restaurant menus)

budget

the creation of a high design concept at a low cost (residential + commercial)

education: higher learning

 

education: primary + high schools

 

entertainment

casinos, theatres, auditoriums, large venues, etc.

health + wellness

fitness centers, health clinics, retreats, etc.

healthcare

 

senior living

nursing homes, residential care, memory care, senior living

government/institutional

 

transportation

a system for moving people, i.e. airport terminal or lounge, train or bus station, etc.

library

 

museum/art gallery

 

greater good: social impact

projects for non-profit organizations, companies, or initiatives that give back to the community and advance social equity and inclusion

greater world: sustainability

projects that address our environmental impact

outdoor space

commercial or residential, parks, playgrounds, garden areas, etc.

hospitality: chain hotel

 

hospitality: boutique hotel

 

hospitality: resort hotel

 

hospitality: hotel restoration/renovation

the rehabilitation and/or redesign of a pre-existing building into a hotel project

hospitality: bar/lounge/social club

 

hospitality: coffee/tea

 

hospitality: casual dining + counter service

 

hospitality: fine dining

 

hospitality: hotel dining

 

office: corporate

 

office: creative

ad agencies, fashion corporations, media companies

office: tech

 

office: firm's own

 

office: co working

 

office: restoration/renovation

the rehabilitation and/or redesign of a pre-existing commercial project

commercial cafe/cafeteria/bar

 

commercial lobby + amenity space

 

building facade

including commercial + residential

residential lobby + amenity space

the lobby and amenity spaces within a large residential development.

multi-unit housing

 

residence: apartment

 

residence: city house/townhouse

 

residence: beach house

 

residence: country house

 

residence: restoration/renovation

the rehabilitation and/or redesign of a pre-existing residential project

kitchen + bath

 

residential landscape

 

residential sales center/model apartment

 

retail

stores, pop-ups, retail vans, etc.

showroom

manufacturers' showrooms for the design industry or other industries

on the boards: commercial

a commercial project that is still in the works/incomplete

on the boards: residential

a residential project that is still in the works/incomplete

staircase

grand staircase, or stairwells

iconic project

project completed prior to 2022 that continues to make its mark on the city and beyond.

shining moment

an exciting or daring design feature of a project (i.e. unique grand stairs)

pro bono project

 

outstanding use of AI in the design process

recognizing projects that have effectively leveraged AI tools to assist in the design process. This category celebrates the innovative use of AI to complement human-led design efforts, including those that incorporate elements entirely created by AI or have seamlessly integrated AI throughout the design solution.

 

 

 


 

 

*Please note, categories may be renamed, consolidated, or eliminated (and entries reassigned) at the editor's discretion. All information and images should appear exactly how you want it to be shown digitally and in print.