2026 KCMA Design Awards

Building on the extraordinary success of last year’s record-breaking program, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is proud to announce the official Call for Entries for the 2026 KCMA^® Design Awards.

Now entering its third year, the competition invites Architects across the U.S. and Canada to submit their most outstanding kitchen design projects featuring KCMA Member cabinets (for a list of KCMA member manufacturers, visit https://kcma.org/company/manufacturers.). With 46 entries submitted in 2025—more than double the previous year— the 2026 program promises to raise the bar once again for creativity, craftsmanship, and cabinetry excellence.

“The KCMA Design Awards are about more than just great kitchens,” said Betsy Natz, CEO of KCMA. “They’re a celebration of design leadership, innovation, and the power of collaboration across our industry. We are proud to recognize the individuals and firms elevating cabinet design to new levels of beauty, functionality, and performance.”

All eligible entries will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of six design professionals, using a holistic framework that includes seven judging criteria: Innovation, Aesthetics, Functionality, Durability, Utility, Emotional Quotient (EQ), and Overall Rating. Bonus points are awarded for projects using KCMA Quality Certified cabinets or KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) participants.

Winners receive cash awards and professional exposure across leading industry platforms, including:

• A First Place Award with a $1,000 stipend, airfare and accommodations to attend the 2026 KCMA Spring Leadership Conference being held April 21-23, 2026 at the Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, SC
• Featured placement in a full-page Kitchen & Bath Design News advertisement
• Online recognition through KCMA and Woodworking Network
• KCMA LookBook recognition, a comprehensive publication of the awards program.

A Second Place Award recipient will also receive a $500 cash prize and public recognition.

In a show of unprecedented support for the design community, KCMA introduced the first-ever LOOK BOOK during the original awards program, and then in 2025 carried out the powerful print and digital publication showcasing every submitted project, not just the winners. The Look Book underscores KCMA’s deep commitment to celebrating design excellence at every level and is available for viewing here: KCMA 2025 Look Book

Key Dates for the 2026 Awards Program

• Entry Period: October 6, 2025 – December 15, 2025
• Judging Period: January 1 – January 30, 2026

Eligible Projects: Completed between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025 and must incorporate KCMA member cabinets. To learn more, review the full rules and submission guidelines, or to enter your project, visit: www.kcmadesignawards.com