This competition recognizes exceptional residential work completed after January 1, 2023. Following a blind judging by a panel of your peers, winning projects will be honored at a special gala and presentation event this fall and be published in Home & Design's Idea Book.

The 2026 Home & Design Excellence Awards are CLOSED for entries.

AWARDS
Each of the 15 categories outlined below will include Grand and Merit winners, assuming entries meet minimum qualifications set by the judging committee.

See the Categories tab to review detailed description of the awards criteria.

See the What You'll Need tab to review submission requirements.

ARCHITECTURE (entries are only open to architecture firms)

Traditional
Contemporary

REMODELING

Exterior Makeover
Interior Renovation (includes Additions)

CUSTOM BUILD (entries are only open to custom builders)

Whole House, New Build
Whole House, Renovation

INTERIOR DESIGN

Whole House
Condo/Apartment
Getaway Home
Outstanding Single Room Makeover
Kitchen
Bath

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Less Than One Acre
More Than One Acre
1/4 Acre or Less

Qualifications For Entry

Residential projects only.
Projects and Company must be located in DC, Maryland, Virginia or the Delaware shore. Entries outside this region will be disqualified.
Firms may submit a project to only one category.
Projects must be completed after January 1, 2023.
Submissions must include professional, high-resolution images.
Entrants must fully complete all text fields in their submission.
Prior winning projects of H&D’s Design Excellence Awards are not eligible.
No entries may be submitted from judges or their firms.

Fees & Payment

Each project requires a separate entry and must be paid in advance. Any entry started but not submitted is eligible for a refund, less processing fees. Deadline to request a refund is June 30, 2026.
Entry fee for each project is $95. Maximum of five (5) entries per firm.

Support
Please contact Jerry Parks at jparks@homeanddesign.com with any questions regarding the entry process.

2026 Excellence Awards

Sponsors