Best of Houzz 2020: The Winning Design Projects
Houzz congratulates all winners of the Best of Houzz 2020 awards. Here are some of the successful designs
Kate Burt
12 February 2020
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Which bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens from the UK and Ireland were the most popular last year? In 2019, just a small fraction of the millions of Houzz professionals’ photos saved globally made it into the prestigious, annual Best of Houzz Design awards.
A combination of popular photos and positive customer reviews contribute towards the wins, which are divided into categories covering different parts of the home, different regions, and overall winners. Here, we’ll focus on a selection of the overall winners, but to see the regional breakdowns and even more winners, you can find everything in one place here.
A combination of popular photos and positive customer reviews contribute towards the wins, which are divided into categories covering different parts of the home, different regions, and overall winners. Here, we’ll focus on a selection of the overall winners, but to see the regional breakdowns and even more winners, you can find everything in one place here.
Best kitchens
There are many elements to love in this north London kitchen, designed and owned by interior designer Stephen Nash of ALL & NXTHING – not least those cool and contemporary units, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Black Blue. But one of the standout features has to be the parquet worktop, which Stephen’s design team made themselves by hand.
Read more about this house.
There are many elements to love in this north London kitchen, designed and owned by interior designer Stephen Nash of ALL & NXTHING – not least those cool and contemporary units, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Black Blue. But one of the standout features has to be the parquet worktop, which Stephen’s design team made themselves by hand.
Read more about this house.
Best bathrooms
“The point of this project was to create somewhere to escape to – a peaceful haven,” says interior designer Egon Walesch of Egon Walesch Interior Design. This is his own rural holiday home on the shore of Lough Ree in County Westmeath, Ireland.
The master bathroom illustrates just how successfully the designer pulled this off. A skylight and a huge bathside window looking out onto greenery provide light and calm.
The freestanding bath and vintage vanity unit echo the property’s age (it was built in the 1960s), while tongue-and-groove walls and a coastal-style light hark back to the building’s history as a fisherman’s cabin.
Take a tour of the whole cabin.
“The point of this project was to create somewhere to escape to – a peaceful haven,” says interior designer Egon Walesch of Egon Walesch Interior Design. This is his own rural holiday home on the shore of Lough Ree in County Westmeath, Ireland.
The master bathroom illustrates just how successfully the designer pulled this off. A skylight and a huge bathside window looking out onto greenery provide light and calm.
The freestanding bath and vintage vanity unit echo the property’s age (it was built in the 1960s), while tongue-and-groove walls and a coastal-style light hark back to the building’s history as a fisherman’s cabin.
Take a tour of the whole cabin.
Best dining rooms
This gorgeously green dining space in west London is one part of a full renovation project undertaken by design and build team Zulufish.
Green has been a hugely popular colour on Houzz of late and it shines as a key hue here, thanks in part to the quality of light flooding into the space. “The combination of minimal structural glazing and internal Crittall walls flood light through the house,” the designers say.
The interiors, however, were a true team effort, with the joinery executed by sister company HUX London and interior design looked after by Purple Design.
This gorgeously green dining space in west London is one part of a full renovation project undertaken by design and build team Zulufish.
Green has been a hugely popular colour on Houzz of late and it shines as a key hue here, thanks in part to the quality of light flooding into the space. “The combination of minimal structural glazing and internal Crittall walls flood light through the house,” the designers say.
The interiors, however, were a true team effort, with the joinery executed by sister company HUX London and interior design looked after by Purple Design.
Best bedrooms
You loved this easy, breezy, coastal-inspired room in the West Midlands, designed by Sharps Bedrooms.
It’s easy to see why: the muted palette and layers of texture in warm neutral hues make for a tranquil space in which to sleep. It’s not only lovely to look at, there’s bags of storage built in, with two floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, a window seat with drawers, and generous bedside tables, as well as a row of wall hooks.
You loved this easy, breezy, coastal-inspired room in the West Midlands, designed by Sharps Bedrooms.
It’s easy to see why: the muted palette and layers of texture in warm neutral hues make for a tranquil space in which to sleep. It’s not only lovely to look at, there’s bags of storage built in, with two floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, a window seat with drawers, and generous bedside tables, as well as a row of wall hooks.
Best utility rooms
Robin Sjoholm and Thomas Housden, of London architecture and design studio Outpost London, created this wonderfully sensitive utility room for an 1899-built house.
“Our brief was to extend and remodel the house to better suit a modern family and their needs, without destroying the architectural heritage of the property,” they say. “It was our central aim to make our interventions appear as if they had always been part of the house.”
The bespoke wooden furniture and panelling in this utility room perfectly illustrate how this aim was made a reality.
Robin Sjoholm and Thomas Housden, of London architecture and design studio Outpost London, created this wonderfully sensitive utility room for an 1899-built house.
“Our brief was to extend and remodel the house to better suit a modern family and their needs, without destroying the architectural heritage of the property,” they say. “It was our central aim to make our interventions appear as if they had always been part of the house.”
The bespoke wooden furniture and panelling in this utility room perfectly illustrate how this aim was made a reality.
Best gardens
Irish garden designer Patricia Tyrrell, of Patricia Tyrrell Living Landscapes, designed this garden in Dublin to flourish in shady conditions.
“Even where there’s a lot of shade, accent plants can be positioned to catch some light and make it appear almost as if they have a spotlight on them in comparison to the shade around them,” she says.
Irish garden designer Patricia Tyrrell, of Patricia Tyrrell Living Landscapes, designed this garden in Dublin to flourish in shady conditions.
“Even where there’s a lot of shade, accent plants can be positioned to catch some light and make it appear almost as if they have a spotlight on them in comparison to the shade around them,” she says.
Best home offices
Squeezing functional details into small spaces is a perennially popular topic among the Houzz community. Here, Manchester-based bespoke furniture-maker Neville Johnson has pulled it off in a bright and contemporary style.
“This is a stunning fitted bookcase that not only looks great, but fits the client’s initial vision by incorporating a small study area that can be neatly hidden away when not in use,” they say. “Storage for books, pictures, trinkets and keepsakes has been carefully considered and designed sympathetically to the interior décor.”
Squeezing functional details into small spaces is a perennially popular topic among the Houzz community. Here, Manchester-based bespoke furniture-maker Neville Johnson has pulled it off in a bright and contemporary style.
“This is a stunning fitted bookcase that not only looks great, but fits the client’s initial vision by incorporating a small study area that can be neatly hidden away when not in use,” they say. “Storage for books, pictures, trinkets and keepsakes has been carefully considered and designed sympathetically to the interior décor.”
Best living rooms
Architect Eva Byrne, of Dublin-based architecture firm houseology, is expert at making the most of small spaces. Here, she did something counter-intuitive to what was already a petite footprint: she made it smaller to improve the flow. How?
Originally, the front door opened directly into this living room. “We fitted a painted timber and glass screen that can fold all the way back,” Eva says. “It gives you privacy from the street when you’re in the living room,” and provides an out-of-sight spot for coats and shoes.
“You don’t do anything near the door anyway,” she says, “so you’re not losing any living space by adding a division.” Ingenious.
Take a tour of the rest of this little house.
Architect Eva Byrne, of Dublin-based architecture firm houseology, is expert at making the most of small spaces. Here, she did something counter-intuitive to what was already a petite footprint: she made it smaller to improve the flow. How?
Originally, the front door opened directly into this living room. “We fitted a painted timber and glass screen that can fold all the way back,” Eva says. “It gives you privacy from the street when you’re in the living room,” and provides an out-of-sight spot for coats and shoes.
“You don’t do anything near the door anyway,” she says, “so you’re not losing any living space by adding a division.” Ingenious.
Take a tour of the rest of this little house.
Best hallways
This stunning combination of hallway storage and hidden door in Devon was created by Woodford Architecture and Interiors.
The designers treated the property – a Georgian farmhouse – with the utmost respect, preserving original features and opting for a muted colour palette to showcase the architecture. Yet in reconfiguring the internal layout, they successfully updated it to function beautifully as a “forever home” for the young family who live in it.
This stunning combination of hallway storage and hidden door in Devon was created by Woodford Architecture and Interiors.
The designers treated the property – a Georgian farmhouse – with the utmost respect, preserving original features and opting for a muted colour palette to showcase the architecture. Yet in reconfiguring the internal layout, they successfully updated it to function beautifully as a “forever home” for the young family who live in it.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Best of Houzz – overall winners
Stefan Hoeckenreiner of Ambient Architecture enhanced this Edwardian house in Dublin by retaining its period features while adding an extension and modernising the décor, successfully and sensitively reviving a beautiful family home.
Here, in the living room, Stefan expertly mixed eras, combining a midcentury-designed Ercol sofa and a marble and brass coffee table with the original fireplace and ornate and much older mirror to ensure a bright and contemporary feel. He also installed space-saving trench heating, which provides warmth via floor vents for an unobtrusive result.
Take a look at the other rooms in this elegant home.
Stefan Hoeckenreiner of Ambient Architecture enhanced this Edwardian house in Dublin by retaining its period features while adding an extension and modernising the décor, successfully and sensitively reviving a beautiful family home.
Here, in the living room, Stefan expertly mixed eras, combining a midcentury-designed Ercol sofa and a marble and brass coffee table with the original fireplace and ornate and much older mirror to ensure a bright and contemporary feel. He also installed space-saving trench heating, which provides warmth via floor vents for an unobtrusive result.
Take a look at the other rooms in this elegant home.
- Browse all the UK winners in this category here.
- Browse all the Irish winners in this category here.
Recognising the award winners among the experts
Here’s how our Best of Houzz badges look on an expert’s profile. Zulufish also received a Best of Houzz award in the Service category for the highest customer satisfaction in 2019.
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.
Get valuable insider tips on capturing your work on camera in Why Good Photography is Key for Attracting New Clients.
Here’s how our Best of Houzz badges look on an expert’s profile. Zulufish also received a Best of Houzz award in the Service category for the highest customer satisfaction in 2019.
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.
Get valuable insider tips on capturing your work on camera in Why Good Photography is Key for Attracting New Clients.
Browse beautiful photos from all the winners in all categories and all areas – including internationally – at the Best of Houzz homepage.
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 section.
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 section.
Related Stories
Wellbeing
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Wellbeing
How to Prepare Your Home for Summer Heat
Check out these updates that will ensure your property is ready for hotter days
Full Story
Professional Advice
10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bed Linen
Should you pick crisp cotton or rumpled linen – and does thread count really matter? Bed linen can be baffling – here's all you need to know
Full Story
Renovating
How Can You Carve Out a New Room Without Extending?
By Kate Burt
When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine can be your best friend, cannily boosting space without the need for permission
Full Story
Renovating
Best of Houzz 2024: The Winning Design Projects
The Best of Houzz 2024 award winners have been announced. Take a look at some of the winning designs
Full Story
Redefining Design
A Room-by-room Guide to Inclusive Design
By Kate Burt
What is inclusive design – and why is it important for all our homes if we want them to be truly sustainable?
Full Story
Kitchens
How to Design a Multigenerational Kitchen
A space that successfully meets the needs of all those who use it is not only inclusive, it’s futureproof
Full Story
Renovating
How to Cut the Cost of Your Extension Project
Stay on budget when planning and building your extension with these expert tips for keeping costs down
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Survive a Major Building Project
By Eva Byrne
Get expert tips for improving your home while preserving your sanity
Full Story
Pets
Expert Ways to Integrate Your Dog’s Bed into Your Home
Good design can help to create the perfect home for you, but also a cosy spot for Fido to rest his weary paws
Full Story
Hallway first - fantastic door and adding that rail at the top of the shelves really makes the difference and overall second because of the heating grille - underfloor heating doesn't really cut it for me and radiators are a pain (often). I once lived in a fairly modest 70's house that had hot air ducted heating. It was a first for me and I thought it was brilliant not to have the dratted rads all over the place with possible leaks etc.
Fantastic green dining space too!
Delighted to be included in the winning Houzz designs of 2020. Thanks to you Kate and to Houzz.