KCMA Opens Submissions for 2027 Design Awards
Designers may now submit kitchen projects for the annual competition, which honors innovation and quality in cabinetry.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association is accepting submissions for its 2027 KCMA Design Awards. Designers in the U.S. and Canada can submit kitchen projects that utilize cabinetry from association member manufacturers.
Why it matters
This annual program highlights leadership and innovation in residential kitchen design, offering designers a platform to showcase their work through the association's official project Look Book.
The 2026 competition attracted 101 submissions, which were evaluated across seven key criteria including aesthetics and functionality. Submissions remain open until December 18, 2026.
The players
Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
A national trade association representing North American cabinet manufacturers that sets industry standards for quality and environmental stewardship.
The details
Interior designers enter the awards by submitting kitchen projects that feature cabinets from KCMA member manufacturers. Projects that use KCMA Quality Certified cabinets or cabinetry from Environmental Stewardship Program participants may receive bonus consideration during the evaluation process. A panel of design professionals scores each entry based on seven criteria: innovation, aesthetics, functionality, durability, utility, and emotional quotient.
Timeline
Submission period ends December 18, 2026.
Judging for the awards begins February 15, 2027.
The Home Front
This competition tracks with the broader industry move toward verified product quality and sustainable manufacturing standards. It specifically incentivizes the use of cabinetry that meets the KCMA Quality Certified program and the Environmental Stewardship Program benchmarks.
If you are planning a kitchen renovation, consider asking your designer about products from KCMA member manufacturers, which may feature high standards of durability and environmental stewardship. You can browse previous award-winning projects in the official KCMA Look Book for inspiration.
The takeaway
The competition emphasizes that successful kitchen design balances high-performance, certified cabinetry with creative, functional layouts. Designers looking to participate should review the seven evaluation criteria before the December 18, 2026 deadline.
What happens next
The submission period for the 2027 awards concludes on December 18, 2026, followed by the commencement of the judging process on February 15, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about planning your next kitchen update in our Home Renovation section.
More information
Review full entry requirements or submit your project via the 2027 KCMA Design Awards information portal.
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Do you believe professional industry awards are a valuable way to showcase design talent?
