Awards Categories

The Best in American Living Awards comprises more than 70 categories spanning projects emphasizing design, multifamily, remodeling and offsite construction.

The following list reflects the categories for the 2025 Best in American Living Awards.

Design

• Best Detached Home – Up to 2,000 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Detached Home – 2,001 - 2,500 Square Feet., Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Detached Home – 2,501 - 3,000 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Detached Home – 3,001 - 3,500 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Detached Home – 3,501 - 4,500 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Detached Home – Over 4,500 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Attached Homes/Townhouses, Built for Sale
• Best On-the-Boards Single-Family Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – Up to 2,000 Square Feet
• Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 2,001 - 3,000 Square Feet
• Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 3,001 - 4,000 Square Feet
• Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 4,001 - 5,000 Square Feet
• Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 5,001 - 6,000 Square Feet
• Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 6,001 - 8,000 Square Feet
• Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – Over 8,000 Square Feet
• Best Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
• Best On-the-Boards Single-Family Custom Home
• Best Single-Family Community
• Best Mixed-Use Community, Single-Family
• Best Infill Community
• Best Single-Family Community, Built to Rent
• Best On-the-Boards Community
• Best Kitchen Design in Production or Builder Spec in a Home
• Best Kitchen Design in a Custom Home
• Best Primary Suite Design for a Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Primary Suite in a Custom Home
• Best Specialty Room/Project for Production or Builder Spec Home
• Best Specialty Room/Project in a Custom Home
• Best Outdoor Room/Living Space
• Best Design Detail
• Best Innovative Housing Solution / Creative Living Space

Multifamily

• Best Affordable Multifamily, Garden/Low-Rise (5 stories or less)
• Best Affordable Multifamily, Mid-Rise/High-Rise (6 stories or more)
• Best Multifamily Condominium, Built for Sale (5 stories or less)
• Best Multifamily Condominium, Built for Sale (6 stories or more)
• Best Garden Apartment Community (4 stories or less)
• Best Low-Rise Apartment Community, For Rent (non-garden, 5 stories or less)
• Best Mid-Rise Apartment Community, For Rent (6 to 9 stories)
• Best High-Rise Apartment Community, For Rent (10-plus stories)
• Best Mixed-Use Community, Multifamily
• Best Multifamily Adaptive Reuse/ Redevelopment
• Best Multifamily Student Housing
• Best Multifamily Project – On-the-Boards
• Best Multifamily Interior Merchandising of a Common Area
• Best Multifamily Community Amenity/Common Space
• Multifamily Development Firm of the Year
• Multifamily Property Management Firm of the Year

Remodeling

• Best Remodel of an Entire Home, Budget Up to $250,000
• Best Remodel of an Entire Home, Budget $250,001 - $750,000
• Best Remodel of an Entire Home, Budget Over $750,000
• Best Remodel Addition, Indoor or Outdoor, Budget Up to $100,000
• Best Remodel Addition, Indoor or Outdoor, Budget Over $100,000
• Best Remodel - Home Addition
• Best Historic Preservation/Restoration
• Best Remodeled Kitchen, Budget Up to $75,000
• Best Remodeled Kitchen, Budget $75,000 - $125,000
• Best Remodeled Kitchen, Budget Over $125,000
• Best Remodeled Bath, Budget Up to $50,000
• Best Remodeled Bath, Budget Over $50,000
• Best Remodeling Specialty Project
• Best Remodel for Aging in Place

Offsite Construction

• Best Log Homes Design
• Best Timber Frame Construction Design
• Best Modular Home Design
• Best Panelized Home Design
• Best Concrete Home Design
• Best Offsite Construction Multifamily Project Design