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
| 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.