The NKBA | KBIS 2026 Design Competition is one of the most anticipated events in the kitchen and bath industry, offering professional designers the opportunity to showcase their best work on a national stage. Held annually as part of the Design + Industry Awards gala the night before KBIS opens, the competition draws hundreds of entries from across North America. It’s a chance to gain meaningful recognition, elevate your brand, and compete for your share of over $150,000 in prize money.
Designers are honored for their work across six core categories: Large Kitchen (over 300 square feet), Small Kitchen (under 300 square feet), Specialty Kitchen, Primary Bath, Secondary Bath, and Powder Room. First-place winners in each category receive $5,000, second-place earn $3,000, and third-place take home $2,000. From the group of first-place winners, two standout projects are chosen to receive the grand prizes: Best Overall Kitchen and Best Overall Bath, each earning an additional $25,000. NKBA Certified Designers who receive a Best Overall award will earn an additional $25,000 bonus, for a total grand prize of $50,000.
What makes this competition stand out—beyond the prestige and prize money—is the exposure winners receive within the design community and beyond. Winning projects are celebrated in front of the industry’s top professionals and shared widely through NKBA’s media channels and press coverage surrounding KBIS. Whether you're an emerging talent or a seasoned pro, this is a career-defining opportunity to have your work recognized by the best in the business. All competition judges are CMKBD-certified experts, bringing decades of experience and a deep understanding of excellence in kitchen and bath design.
If you’ve completed a project that reflects creativity, functionality, and innovation, now is the time to enter. This is your chance to stand out, share your vision, and be celebrated for your contribution to the art of kitchen and bath design. The 2026 NKBA | KBIS Design Competition is officially open—submit your entry, join the celebration, and take your place among the best in the industry.
