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Celebrating Design Excellence: Enter the 2026 KBDi Design Awards

Each year, the KBDi Design Awards shine a spotlight on the creativity, innovation, and technical expertise that shape Australia’s kitchen, bathroom, and interior design industry. As entries open for the 2026 program, KBDi and ACFA members are invited to showcase the projects they’re most proud of — and to gain the national recognition that comes with being part of Australia’s leading design awards platform.

Importantly, these are design awards. Entries are assessed on planning, innovation, functionality, documentation, and visual presentation — not construction or installation quality — meaning designers can confidently submit projects where their design thinking truly shines.

Entry is open to current financial KBDi Certified Designer, Designer and Associate Members, as well as ACFA Micro, Business Plus and Premium (non-Supplier) Members.

Proudly Supported by Industry Partners

The KBDi Design Awards continue to be made possible by the generous support of our industry partners. We extend our sincere thanks to Austaron Surfaces, returning as the sponsor of the prestigious trophies, and to our category sponsors, whose ongoing commitment helps elevate design excellence across the industry:

• Hettich – Kitchen Categories
• e&s – Bathroom and Master Suite Categories
• New Age Veneers – Certified Designer of the Year
• Luxe by Design – Laundries
• Nero Tapware – Outdoor Kitchens
• CMIB – Design Spaces
• CAV’ART Designer Stone – Traditional or Themed Design
• Blum – First Time Entrant
• Harn Drawer Systems – Student Awards

Their support ensures entrants are recognised not only by peers but also by the suppliers and partners who help bring outstanding designs to life.

Categories Designed to Showcase Every Specialisation

With a broad range of categories, the KBDi Design Awards recognise projects across many scales and styles.

Kitchen Categories

Sponsored by Hettich, these categories celebrate excellence in kitchen design:

• Small Kitchens – Up to 15 m² (including pantry space)
• Large Kitchens – Over 15 m² (excluding kitchens with separate sculleries or secondary spaces)
• Kitchens Plus – Kitchens incorporating additional spaces such as sculleries, butler’s pantries, or integrated work zones, assessed on the relationship between all functional areas

Bathroom & Master Suite Categories

Sponsored by e&s, these awards recognise both individual wet areas and fully integrated retreat-style spaces:

• Small Bathrooms – Up to and including 8 m²
• Large Bathrooms – Over 8 m²
• Master Suites – Integrated bedroom, dressing, and bathroom environments assessed for the functionality and cohesion of all zones

Specialty Residential Categories

• Laundries (Sponsored by Luxe by Design)
• Outdoor Kitchens (Sponsored by Nero Tapware)

Design Innovation & Fitout Categories

• Design Spaces (Sponsored by CMIB)
  Recognising outstanding design in spaces beyond kitchens and bathrooms — including wardrobes, offices, retail environments, bars, showrooms, and more.
• Traditional or Themed Design (Sponsored by CAV’ART Designer Stone)
  Celebrating projects that interpret and apply identifiable architectural styles, such as Federation, Art Deco, Georgian, Queenslander, or other genre-led design approaches.

Recognition & Career Development Awards

• Certified Designer of the Year (Sponsored by New Age Veneers)
  This title is earned through competition within a highly skilled field of designers recognised for their design proficiency and documentation excellence. Judges evaluate entries for innovation, technical clarity, and the strength of the documentation supporting seamless project delivery from concept to completion.
• First Time Entrant Award (Sponsored by Blum)
  Celebrating designers reaching finalist level for the first time.
• Student Award (Sponsored by Harn Drawer Systems)
  Offering emerging designers the opportunity to gain industry experience and recognition through simulated or real-world project submissions.

People’s Choice Awards — Powered by Industry Media

The KBDi & KBQ People’s Choice Awards continue to generate enormous engagement across the design community and the broader public, offering finalists additional exposure and the chance to win:

Kitchen Design of the Year – People’s Choice

• Certificate
• Digital Winner Badge
• $8,000 Advertising Package

Bathroom Design of the Year – People’s Choice

• Certificate
• Digital Winner Badge
• $8,000 Advertising Package

A Celebration Worth Capturing

This year’s Gala event will introduce a new photo experience, proudly sponsored by Amber Tiles, giving finalists, winners, and guests the opportunity to capture the celebration in style.

Share Your Best Work

Whether you specialise in kitchens, bathrooms, interiors, or integrated living environments, the KBDi Design Awards offer a powerful platform to showcase your expertise, build industry recognition, and celebrate the value of thoughtful design.

If you’ve completed a project that demonstrates outstanding planning, creativity, and functional excellence, now is the time to enter. Recognition at the KBDi Design Awards not only celebrates your achievements — it strengthens your professional profile, promotes your business, and highlights the importance of design leadership across our industry.

Start preparing your entries today and let your designs take centre stage in 2026. Request your Entry Pack here.