AD Best Practices

Best Practices

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc778219(WS.10).aspx
Active Directory Best Practices (PDF)

AD Deep Dive

This is a very in depth document on AD Design. Worth the read, just don't do it in bed because it'll put you to sleep.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727085.aspx
Best Practice Active Directory Design for Managing Windows Networks (PDF)

TechNet: Designing OU Structures that Work

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2008.05.oudesign.aspx
Designing OU Structures that Work: Choosing the Best Model (PDF)

Active Directory Structure Guidelines

I find these articles very useful whenever I consider designing or overhauling an AD OU structure.
http://www.grouppolicy.biz/2010/07/best-practice-active-directory-structure-guidelines-part-1/
Active Directory Structure Guidelines Part 1a (PDF)
Active Directory Structure Guidelines Part 1b (PDF)
Active Directory Structure Guidelines Part 1c (PDF)
Active Directory Structure Guidelines Part 1d (PDF)

http://www.grouppolicy.biz/2010/07/best-practice-group-policy-design-guidelines-part-2/ Group Policy Design Guidelines Part 2a (PDF)
Group Policy Design Guidelines Part 2b (PDF)

2008 R2

https://araihan.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/microsoft-active-directory-best-practice/
https://araihan.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/microsoft-active-directory-best-practice-part-ii/

Default Domain Policy / Password Policy

http://jorgequestforknowledge.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/best-practices-for-the-default-domain-policy-and-the-default-domain-controllers-policy-gpos/