Categories
There are 8 categories to enter for 2026, including two new ones: Best Bathroom Project and Best Commercial Project. We’re also making some exciting changes to People’s Choice, which is now Decor Staff Choice: a popularity vote by our 500+ employees.
1
compact Kitchen
(12 Boxes or Less)
Small but intentional. This category celebrates kitchens that maximize every inch through thoughtful planning, clever storage solutions, and purposeful design. Winning projects will demonstrate how limited footprints can still deliver strong aesthetics, smooth workflow, and everyday functionality. Judges will look for smart space utilization, visual balance, and creative problem-solving that make compact living feel elevated and effortless.
2
Large Kitchen
(13 Boxes or More)
This category recognizes expansive kitchens that combine scale with strong design execution. Winning entries should showcase excellence in layout, flow, product integration, and overall user experience. Judges will evaluate how the space balances functionality with visual impact while creating an environment that feels cohesive, intentional, and tailored to the homeowner’s lifestyle.
3
Best Bathroom Project
This category highlights bathrooms that demonstrate exceptional design thinking, material selection, and functionality. From spa-inspired retreats to compact powder rooms, winning projects should reflect strong spatial planning, attention to detail, and a clear design vision. Judges will evaluate creativity, product integration, atmosphere, and how effectively the space delivers both comfort and practicality.
4
Creative Wildcard
Think beyond the traditional kitchen. This category celebrates bold and unconventional applications of Decor or Zonavita products. Entries may include closets, mudrooms, bars, entertainment spaces, built-ins, office environments, furniture integrations, or entirely original concepts. Judges will reward creativity, innovation, and fearless thinking that pushes the versatility of the product beyond expected boundaries.
5
Best Refresh
(Before & After)
This category recognizes renovations and transformations that breathe new life into existing spaces. Entrants must submit high-quality before and after imagery supported by a narrative explaining the design challenges, creative solutions, and overall impact of the project. Judges will focus on transformation quality, space optimization, functionality improvements, and the strength of the visual storytelling.
6
Best Emerging Designer
(<2 Years Selling Decor)
Created to spotlight rising talent, this category is open to designers with two years or less of experience in the kitchen and bath industry. Winning entries should demonstrate creative potential, strong design fundamentals, thoughtful problem-solving, and product understanding. The goal of this category is to recognize and encourage the next generation of industry talent.
7
Best Commercial Project
This category celebrates commercial spaces that successfully combine functionality, durability, and strong visual design. Eligible projects may include offices, hospitality spaces, retail environments, healthcare applications, or other commercial settings utilizing Decor or Zonavita products. Judges will evaluate innovation, execution, user experience, and how effectively the design supports the purpose of the space.
8
DECOR STAFF CHOICE
(Formerly People’s Choice)
This category gives the Decor team the opportunity to select the project that resonates most across the company. All shortlisted entries from the design categories will be eligible for voting by Decor employees. The winning project will be the one that creates the strongest connection through creativity, impact, functionality, and overall design appeal.
TBD “People’s Choice” category will include all entries from the three categories mentioned above. Designers are allowed to share their projects with coworkers, family, and friends and encourage them to vote between August 2nd to August 16th.
“Undeniably Different” — this category celebrates exceptional designs in the Small Kitchens, Large Kitchens, and Specialty Rooms categories. Chosen by Decor staff, the winning project will be innovative and original, showcasing unique use of materials and creative thinking.
Please also be aware that the judging panel reserves the right to move projects to an alternative category if deemed appropriate.
Judging Criteria
Each year, the competition is scored using general criteria.
Creative use of Decor Materials
Cabinet Configuration & Ergonomics
Adherence to Design Principles
Integration of Design Trends
Popularity (People’s Choice)
Complete Design
Statement
Project Photo
Quality
Only one winner per category will be selected with a maximum of one award per Elite Design Awards competition, that can be won with the exception for the Grand Prize.
THE JUDGES PANEL
A panel of judges will evaluate and consider eligible entries. The panel is made up of industry experts who will be able to provide unbiased feedback on entries. To ensure fairness and consistency across all entries, final decisions rest with the judging panel and are made with careful consideration of all criteria.
For both Decor and Zonavita, the top five nominations from each entry category will be selected as finalists. 25 finalists per brand. The winner will be revealed at the Elite Design Awards event on October 3, 2024. The winner of the Grand Prize will be selected from among the five category winners in each respective brand during the Elite Design Awards event.
Stan Pauls
CEO, Decor Cabinets Ltd.
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Marcos Gaubert
Director Of Marketing, Decor Cabinets Ltd.
Marcos Gaubert has more than 15 years of combined marketing and sales experience in fields such as manufacturing, retail, and software.
Michelle Vogl
Designer, Interiors By J Curry
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Zach Pauls
Special Project Manager, Decor Cabinets Ltd.
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Candace Rudd
Showroom Manager, Two30Nine
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Sadie Anderson
Vice President of Marketing and Design at CKF
Sadie Anderson is the Vice President of Marketing and Design at CKF, a cabinet and countertop fabricator based in Omaha, Nebraska. Sadie’s love for design started young and has shaped her career ever since. Kitchen design is especially meaningful to her, as it creates the spaces where families gather and create lifelong memories. She leads the marketing and design teams with a focus on creating innovative showrooms and elevating the customer experience. Sadie has held several roles at CKF, including Designer, Design Operations Manager, and Director of Sales Operations, where she led key digital initiatives. She holds a B.S. in Interior Design from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and remains active in her industry as a past President of the NE/KS NKBA Chapter and a current member of the National NKBA Chapter Leadership Committee. She is also the incoming President-Elect of the NE/IA ASID Chapter.
Outside of work, Sadie lives in Omaha with her husband and their two children. When she isn’t driving the kids to practice, she enjoys spending time outdoors and practicing yoga.
James Ellis
Director Of Marketing, Decor Cabinets Ltd.
I’ve worked in the cabinet industry for over 25 years, and growing up in a family involved in the industry made it a natural path for me from an early age. With a background in architecture, I’ve developed a real appreciation for how spaces, materials, and textures work together. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed creating designs that not only look good but also feel functional and well thought out.
What keeps me passionate about design is the connection between elements and figuring out how everything comes together. I’ve always been a bit of a tinkerer and genuinely enjoy understanding how things are built and fixing what’s broken. In my spare time, I’m usually working on hands-on projects, building, repairing, or helping friends with projects of their own.
Candace Rudd
Showroom Manager, CMKBD, Two30Nine
Candace Rudd, CMKBD, is an award-winning designer with extensive experience in residential design and cabinetry planning. Known for creating spaces that balance functionality with refined aesthetics, she is passionate about thoughtful, client-focused design that enhances everyday living. In addition to her industry work and involvement with the NKBA Prairie Provinces Chapter, Candace has served as a judge for several respected industry programs, including the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Housing Awards and the National Kitchen & Bath Association National Design Competition.
Candace leads the team at Two30Nine, driven by the creative challenge of blending innovative materials, timeless design, and practical solutions into spaces that feel both beautiful and highly personal. Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing on a sunny patio and finding inspiration through travel, architecture, and design trends.
DECOR STAFF CHOICE
The People’s Choice category is voted on by the Decor Cabinets employees rather than a judges’ panel. This category will contain all entries from the seven categories.
Designers can share their entry with coworkers, family, and friends to vote on their projects.
The voting will be open from August 21st to August 29th.
All People’s Choice category finalists and winners will be announced at the same time as others.
Photo Quality
Ensure your entry photos show your project in the best light! Here are 10 tips for taking photos of your kitchen.
Before you start shooting, make sure the kitchen is clean and well-organized. Remove any unnecessary items or clutter that might distract from the main focus. Choose a few well-chosen items such as an abstract piece of art, a vase, or fresh flowers when staging.
Find the best angle to showcase the kitchen. Shooting horizontally from the kitchen island can provide a dynamic perspective, giving viewers a comprehensive view of the space. This angle often captures countertops, appliances, and design elements in a visually appealing way.
Ensure that your camera is level and avoid tilting it either up or down. Keeping the camera straight maintains the lines in the frame and prevents distortion, contributing to a balanced composition. Distorted lines can be distracting and may not accurately represent the kitchen’s layout.
Experiment with different angles to capture the kitchen’s beauty from various perspectives. Shooting from a corner or slightly off-center can add depth to the image, showcasing the layout and features effectively.
*Remember that horizontal photographs are often preferred for showcasing kitchens. They provide a natural and expansive view, allowing viewers to appreciate the entire kitchen space. Horizontal shots can convey a sense of openness and highlight design elements well.
A stable camera is essential for sharp images. A tripod helps eliminate camera shake, allowing you to use longer exposure times if needed. This is especially important in lower light situations. Here are some recommendations for camera tripods and iPhone tripods.
Whenever possible, use natural light. Plenty of light is essential for a great image. Position yourself so that the light falls onto the kitchen, avoiding harsh shadows. Early morning or late afternoon often provides soft, flattering light.
Ensure accurate color representation by setting the white balance according to the lighting conditions. This can be adjusted manually or set to an appropriate preset on your camera.
Choose a moderate aperture (f/4 to f/8) to ensure a deep depth of field. This will keep both close and distant elements in focus, showcasing the entire kitchen. When using a DSLR this will be set for you in automatic shooting mode, use manual mode to adjust yourself. If you are using an iPhone you can test using different shooting modes like panoramic, cinematic, or portrait mode.
Pay attention to composition. Use leading lines, such as countertops or cabinets, to guide the viewer’s eye through the image. Consider the rule of thirds for a balanced composition.
Capture the small details that make the kitchen unique. Close-up shots of stylish utensils, fresh ingredients, or unique textures can add interest to your photo set.
Use photo editing software such as Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance your images. Adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance if needed. Be careful not to over-edit, aiming for a natural, well-lit look.
Once the photos are edited, you need to export them from your editing software. Some programs have pre-made settings for print or digital use or sliders for high to low resolution. There are guides online with setting recommendations for different platforms and mediums (for where you will use the photos). As a rule, we recommend exporting high resolution JPEG or PNG images.