Emerging Trends in Residential Design: Insights from the 2025 Best in American Living Awards
Emerging Trends in Residential Design: Insights from the 2025 Best in American Living Awards
Architecture Workshop
Few forecasts of design trends are more reliable than those of experts in the field, which is why the Best in American Living Awards (BALA) are regarded as an accurate barometer of design preferences. This annual competition, held in conjunction with the National Association of Home Builders’ trade show, highlights over 150 award-winning homes, communities, and interiors. A panel of expert judges evaluates contenders to identify the hottest trends in residential architecture and design.
Top Trends from the 2025 Best in American Living Awards
- Black window frames
- The ceiling as the fifth wall of design
- Creative integration of outdoor spaces
- Delineation of spaces through mixed materials
- Indoor/outdoor connections
- Mid-century modern and modern farmhouse
- Mixed metals
- Multigenerational living
- Quiet but purposeful architecture
- Stairs as a focal piece
- Texture on texture
The Best of the Best
A contemporary desert home in Paradise Valley, AZ, claimed the highest BALA honors. Situated near Camelback Mountain, the design features Negra Cantera stone and linear forms to differentiate spaces within its open-concept interior. Natural materials bridge the home to its desert surroundings, while expansive pocket doors connect interiors to terraces, pools, and panoramic views. Judges praised its alignment with trends like “delineation of spaces through mixed materials” and “indoor-outdoor connections.” They noted, “This trend grows stronger every year, emphasizing physical and visual links to outdoor spaces—even on narrow lots.”
Mid-Century Modern Remains Popular
Architecture Workshop
Mid-century modern and modern farmhouse styles continue to dominate new builds and renovations. A remodeled 1954 mid-century home in Greenville, SC, by Tindall Architecture Workshop, won platinum in the South Atlantic region. Judges applauded its use of original materials, such as vertical-grain fir ceilings, and the seamless blend of old and new. Another standout was a Wilmington, NC, residence by Phil Kean Design Group and Tongue & Groove LLC, celebrated for its stacked stone, light walls, stained wood, and large-format tiles.
Back in Black
Black has emerged as a versatile accent color, appearing in faucets, hardware, cabinets, and window frames. Judges highlighted black window frames as a cross-genre trend, noting their ability to modernize traditional facades or complement contemporary spaces. A 1978 Malibu kitchen remodel exemplified this trend with black-framed glass doors, gray-and-black cabinets, and gold hardware. NAHB judging chair Don Ruthroff praised the design as “a testament to going the extra mile.”
What Else is Shaping Home Design?
Multigenerational living continues to influence layouts, with suites and transitional spaces catering to diverse age groups. Stairs as focal points also remain prominent, alongside quiet but purposeful architecture. Judges described this approach as “forms and ratios following best practices in a muted, memorable manner,” signaling a refined evolution of 2025 trends into 2025.
