Dezeen Awards 2026 Interiors Shortlist Features 112 Projects
The shortlist spans 14 categories, including residential, hotel, and restaurant interiors, with winners to be announced on 16 November in London.
Global Talent in Interior Design Recognized
The Dezeen Awards 2026 has unveiled its interiors shortlist, featuring 112 projects across 14 distinct categories. These projects represent the work of design studios located in 26 countries, including Brazil, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Spain, and the United States. Categories cover residential, hotel, restaurant, and bar interiors.
The judging panel, which included designers Jaime Hayon and Wendy Saunders, evaluated the submissions. Christopher Cronin, Vice President of Architecture and Design at Trimble SketchUp, commented on the high quality of this year's entries, noting their ability to transform ambitious concepts into desirable spaces.
Asian Projects Among Global Shortlist
Several projects from Asia and the Middle East are recognized within the 2026 interiors shortlist. These include the Fairmont Tokyo in Japan and the Hotel Indigo Nalati in Xinjiang, China, both listed in the hotel and short-stay interior category.
Other Asian projects feature the Apartment On A Hill in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and House in Hakusan, Tokyo, Japan, in the small residential interior category. The large residential interior category includes Plinth House in Hasaniya, Kuwait.
In the restaurant sector, Mocha in Pune, India, and Plumbago in Mexico City, Mexico, by Oficina de Práctica Arquitectónica (OPA) are shortlisted. Additionally, the Bar and Cafe Interior category features Cafe On-Site in Zhejiang, China, and Laibei 1087 in Shaanxi, China, alongside Other in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Diverse Interior Design Trends Highlighted
The shortlisted projects showcase a range of design approaches and material applications. Examples include the conversion of an over-century-old dockside warehouse in Scotland and an Australian apartment featuring chamfered surfaces, warm hues, and restored Art Deco elements.
A Spanish sailor's home renovation pays tribute to its history, while a UK nightclub presents a layered interior. Other notable entries include a Greek villa with rocks suspended over staircases and a UK storehouse transformed into a futuristic hair salon.
Prominent studios such as Isern Serra, Snøhetta, and YSG are among those whose work is featured across the diverse categories.
Market Activity for Asian Specifiers and Suppliers
The inclusion of projects from countries like China, Japan, Malaysia, India, Kuwait, and the UAE within the Dezeen Awards shortlist indicates active design and construction sectors in these Asian markets.
Specifiers and procurement teams in Asia can review these recognized projects to identify current material trends, design aesthetics, and potential product applications in hospitality and residential segments.
Suppliers of FF&E, finishes, and architectural elements can observe the types of projects gaining international recognition to align their product development and marketing efforts. The winners for all 14 categories will be announced on 16 November at the Royal Opera House in London, with the Interiors Project of the Year sponsored by Gaggenau.
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