More than 600 projects and professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry—including single-family production, multifamily development, remodeling and offsite construction—were honored at the 2024 Best in American Living™ Awards (BALA) ceremony during the 2025 International Builders’ Show, hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Las Vegas. The awards are sponsored by Smeg.
BALA Gold winners include the nation’s best in home and community design, interior design and remodeling, and showcase top design trends that home buyers can expect to see in homes and communities over the next several years.
“We’re continuing to see a shift away from harsh exteriors and finishes to warm, rich materials and soft corners,” said Angela Visbeen of Visbeen Architects, chair of the 2024 judging panel.
Additional trends include:
Rooftop Entertaining Space. Hosting at home is being taken to the next level—literally—in housing across the board, from spec homes to multifamily developments and remodeling projects. These private spaces can enjoy all of the amenities and outdoor wellness benefits with the intimacy of a rooftop setting.
Dark or Black Exteriors. From stark blacks to earthy deep greens, home exteriors are striking a darker tone to make a statement. Often mixed with lighter shades, the contrast can add instant modern curb appeal.
Open Tread Stairs. Equal parts design efficiency and artistic element, open tread stairs make a design statement by creating a “floating focal point,” Visbeen shared. It creates a luxurious, dramatic appeal in homes at all different price points.
Celebrated TV or Fireplace Wall. No longer hidden behind artwork or other features, fireplaces and TV setups are becoming the center of attention in today’s home. Eye-catching accessories, such as rounded coals or colorful glass, help draw attention to flickering flames, while artistic backdrops can help balance the size and scale of an impressive TV set.
Verticality. Vertical elements—whether as an accent wall, elongated interior lighting or other accents — “can be used to add texture and depth,” Visbeen noted. Long, lateral lines can add drama and openness to spaces of all sizes, and even become a structural element, such as a divider or see-through wall.
Divided or Separated Garages. Parking is a premium feature but can present a design challenge at times when trying to maximize functionality without sacrificing the balance of a home’s façade. Adding two or more divided or separated garages, especially when paired with design-forward doors, can help break up elevations or provide symmetry without overpowering the design.
Geometry. “Geometric elements provide texture, symmetry and order to today’s interiors,” Visbeen said. They also provide a great opportunity to mix styles and trends, whether it’s adding linear lines to warm materials for a combination of modern and traditional or using them to enhance a TV wall.
More information about this year’s winners and trends can be found here.