Best of Houzz 2021: The Winning Design Projects
Winners of the Best of Houzz 2021 awards have been announced! Check out some of the winning designs
What are the Best of Houzz awards? Each year, we trawl through the millions of photos from Houzz professionals saved globally to pick out the most popular kitchens, gardens, living rooms and more. Only a few make it into the successful selection that features in the annual Best of Houzz Design awards.
A popular photo is not just about likes and saves – positive customer reviews also contribute to the wins, which are divided into countries, regions and categories covering different parts of the home. Here, we’ve focused on a mix of regional and overall winners, but to see the regional breakdowns and even more winners, you can find everything in one place here for the UK and here for Ireland.
A popular photo is not just about likes and saves – positive customer reviews also contribute to the wins, which are divided into countries, regions and categories covering different parts of the home. Here, we’ve focused on a mix of regional and overall winners, but to see the regional breakdowns and even more winners, you can find everything in one place here for the UK and here for Ireland.
Best dining rooms
Imperfect Interiors was responsible for creating this inviting, light-filled dining spot in a side-return extension. Not only does it provide a lovely space for family meals, with relaxing views of the garden, it also functions as a comfy place to read a book.
It’s practical, too: designer Beth Dadswell created the bench seating to accommodate as many people as possible, and added storage with lift-up lids below and a panelled back for comfort. “The bench seat pads have been upholstered in a wipeable fabric,” she says. “The cushions can all be thrown in the washing machine, so it’s very family-friendly.”
Read more about this renovation.
Imperfect Interiors was responsible for creating this inviting, light-filled dining spot in a side-return extension. Not only does it provide a lovely space for family meals, with relaxing views of the garden, it also functions as a comfy place to read a book.
It’s practical, too: designer Beth Dadswell created the bench seating to accommodate as many people as possible, and added storage with lift-up lids below and a panelled back for comfort. “The bench seat pads have been upholstered in a wipeable fabric,” she says. “The cushions can all be thrown in the washing machine, so it’s very family-friendly.”
Read more about this renovation.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best gardens
This inviting, cottage-y front garden in Hampshire was designed by Ann-Marie Powell and was inspired by the surrounding countryside.
Ideas for planting were taken from the hedgerows, woodlands and verges near the property for a very natural and authentically native result.
This inviting, cottage-y front garden in Hampshire was designed by Ann-Marie Powell and was inspired by the surrounding countryside.
Ideas for planting were taken from the hedgerows, woodlands and verges near the property for a very natural and authentically native result.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best bedrooms
This tranquil yet colourful bedroom in Bath sensitively tips its hat to the building’s period credentials.
“The townhouse was typically Georgian, with stunning high ceilings and classical proportions, and we wanted to make the most of these throughout our designs,” say the Bath Bespoke team, who created the joinery in this room and added the dark oak parquet flooring.
The three, six-panel wardrobes almost look original to the room and are made from painted tulip wood. Inside, however, the storage is very modern, with hanging areas, sliding shoe racks, deep drawers and LED lighting.
This tranquil yet colourful bedroom in Bath sensitively tips its hat to the building’s period credentials.
“The townhouse was typically Georgian, with stunning high ceilings and classical proportions, and we wanted to make the most of these throughout our designs,” say the Bath Bespoke team, who created the joinery in this room and added the dark oak parquet flooring.
The three, six-panel wardrobes almost look original to the room and are made from painted tulip wood. Inside, however, the storage is very modern, with hanging areas, sliding shoe racks, deep drawers and LED lighting.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best patios
Not only is this compact London courtyard, which is the work of garden designer Georgia Lindsay, a Best of Houzz winner, it was also a hugely popular Garden Tour story last summer, garnering praise in the Comments.
The homeowners live in the upstairs flat attached to this small space, so the patio had to look good from above, fulfil a number of practical functions, and be lovely enough to entice them down to enjoy it.
The unusual black fretwork screening was a key feature in ticking these boxes, and Georgia also wanted to make the planting as wildlife-friendly as possible.
Read about how Georgia did it.
Not only is this compact London courtyard, which is the work of garden designer Georgia Lindsay, a Best of Houzz winner, it was also a hugely popular Garden Tour story last summer, garnering praise in the Comments.
The homeowners live in the upstairs flat attached to this small space, so the patio had to look good from above, fulfil a number of practical functions, and be lovely enough to entice them down to enjoy it.
The unusual black fretwork screening was a key feature in ticking these boxes, and Georgia also wanted to make the planting as wildlife-friendly as possible.
Read about how Georgia did it.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best living rooms
This compact tenement flat in Edinburgh was completely refurbished by John Wilson Design. The living area, which is open-plan to the kitchen, packs in a lot of function, while also feeling comfortable and uncluttered.
The kitchen is partially screened by a richly coloured, bespoke slatted panel, linking the two areas sociably, but also masking any potential cooking chaos from the relaxed seating zone.
Key is the desk in the room’s prime position, having heat from below, natural light, and a pleasant view.
Take a look around the rest of this flat.
This compact tenement flat in Edinburgh was completely refurbished by John Wilson Design. The living area, which is open-plan to the kitchen, packs in a lot of function, while also feeling comfortable and uncluttered.
The kitchen is partially screened by a richly coloured, bespoke slatted panel, linking the two areas sociably, but also masking any potential cooking chaos from the relaxed seating zone.
Key is the desk in the room’s prime position, having heat from below, natural light, and a pleasant view.
Take a look around the rest of this flat.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best home offices
When a home office is part of a room well-used for other activities, it’s helpful if it isn’t constantly visible – who wants to stare at their computer screen over the top of the TV or while eating dinner?
This ingeniously petite bespoke unit, designed by De Rosee Sa, is a great solution. It provides plenty of storage and space to work, but can also be closed off after hours to become a pair of discreet cupboard doors.
When a home office is part of a room well-used for other activities, it’s helpful if it isn’t constantly visible – who wants to stare at their computer screen over the top of the TV or while eating dinner?
This ingeniously petite bespoke unit, designed by De Rosee Sa, is a great solution. It provides plenty of storage and space to work, but can also be closed off after hours to become a pair of discreet cupboard doors.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best bathrooms
In our recent trends piece, the idea of the bathroom as a sanctuary was high on the list of design moods tipped for 2021.
This scheme, part of a rural cottage renovation, is a perfect example of the sort of calming, unfussy space we described. Unique Homestays,
which offers interior design services as well as holidays, created the bathroom, with its soft, ultra-matt walls blending into the ceiling and floor for a cocoon-like effect, as well as plants, natural materials and, of course, that inviting sunken bath…
In our recent trends piece, the idea of the bathroom as a sanctuary was high on the list of design moods tipped for 2021.
This scheme, part of a rural cottage renovation, is a perfect example of the sort of calming, unfussy space we described. Unique Homestays,
which offers interior design services as well as holidays, created the bathroom, with its soft, ultra-matt walls blending into the ceiling and floor for a cocoon-like effect, as well as plants, natural materials and, of course, that inviting sunken bath…
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best staircases
These pretty, painted stairs are part of a clever spatial reimagining by Eva Byrne of Houseology of a two-up, two-down worker’s cottage in Dublin.
The stairs were extended to the left to finish neatly at a newly installed glazed partition. “It makes the room feel wider,” Eva says. She also painted on a grey runner, which looks smart and leads you up the steps.
These pretty, painted stairs are part of a clever spatial reimagining by Eva Byrne of Houseology of a two-up, two-down worker’s cottage in Dublin.
The stairs were extended to the left to finish neatly at a newly installed glazed partition. “It makes the room feel wider,” Eva says. She also painted on a grey runner, which looks smart and leads you up the steps.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best design photography
Most of the popular photographs on Houzz are taken by professional interiors or architecture photographers. Spaces that are beautifully lit with natural light and shots that are perfectly composed really stand out, and this category – illustrated here by a crisp, clean image of a contemporary Irish kitchen taken by Paul O’Connell – celebrates the skilled photographers who bring the beautiful homes on Houzz to life.
Browse beautiful photos from all the winners in all categories and all areas – including internationally – at the Best of Houzz homepage.
Most of the popular photographs on Houzz are taken by professional interiors or architecture photographers. Spaces that are beautifully lit with natural light and shots that are perfectly composed really stand out, and this category – illustrated here by a crisp, clean image of a contemporary Irish kitchen taken by Paul O’Connell – celebrates the skilled photographers who bring the beautiful homes on Houzz to life.
Browse beautiful photos from all the winners in all categories and all areas – including internationally – at the Best of Houzz homepage.
Recognising the award winners among the experts
Here’s how our Best of Houzz badges look – keep an eye out for these symbols on an expert’s profile.
Information for professionals
Are you an expert yourself and wondering how you can get a badge or a Best of Houzz award next year? Upload lots of great pictures that show Houzz users what your work is all about. If you don’t have suitable photographs of your projects yet, think about getting professional shots taken – after all, a picture says more than a thousand words.
Are you a homeowner? Click here to find out what a Best of Houzz badge means on a pro’s profile.
Are you a professional? Click here to find out how to win a badge.
Tell us…
Which are your favourite images on Houzz? Share your picks in the Comments.
Here’s how our Best of Houzz badges look – keep an eye out for these symbols on an expert’s profile.
Information for professionals
Are you an expert yourself and wondering how you can get a badge or a Best of Houzz award next year? Upload lots of great pictures that show Houzz users what your work is all about. If you don’t have suitable photographs of your projects yet, think about getting professional shots taken – after all, a picture says more than a thousand words.
Are you a homeowner? Click here to find out what a Best of Houzz badge means on a pro’s profile.
Are you a professional? Click here to find out how to win a badge.
Tell us…
Which are your favourite images on Houzz? Share your picks in the Comments.
This dreamy outdoor living room, a Kent regional winner designed by Pineapple Interiors, perhaps sums up the garden goals that arose for many of us during 2020.
Spending so much time outside focused lots of homeowners’ thoughts on what we’d need in order to entertain outside. In an ideal world, these would include comfy seating, shelter, heat, light and, of course, beautiful design. This stunning, all-weather space taps into the wishlists many of us will have come up with.