Over $150,000 in total prize money will be awarded.

By Nicholas Tamarin
The NKBA | KBIS Design Competition 2026 is now officially open for entries, offering kitchen and bath designers a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talent on an international stage. This is your chance to gain industry recognition and compete for significant cash prizes—with over $150,000 in total prize money, the stakes are high! Top winners in the Best Overall Kitchen and Best Overall Bath categories can earn $25,000 each, and an additional $25,000 if they are NKBA certified, for a potential total of $50,000! Even first, second, and third place winners receive substantial cash awards.
Beyond the monetary prizes, recognition from the NKBA Design Competition is a significant achievement. It’s one of the most prestigious competitions in the K&B industry, and winners are honored at the NKBA’s Design + Industry Awards Ceremony at KBIS 2026 in Orlando from February 17-19. Winning can also lead to increased exposure through media outlets and open up new career opportunities.
Projects will be judged in two rounds by top trade publication editors and NKBA-certified designers, who will be looking for creativity, innovation, and that wow factor. So don’t miss your chance to become the next K&B superstar!
The submission deadline is July 25, 2025. Visit the NKBA 2026 Design Competition page for more information and to submit your entry today!