Posted 7 September 2026 in Press Release
Australia’s leading architects and interior designers gathered at the Sydney Opera House on Friday for Australian House & Garden’s 2026 Top 50 Rooms awards.
Presented by Winnings and supported by Spence & Lyda, Rogerseller, Dulux, OZ Design and Luxaflex, the 28th edition of the awards celebrated the creativity, innovation and technical excellence shaping the future of Australian residential design.
The ceremony presented awards spanning best kitchen, bathroom, powder room, bedroom, laundry, best use of colour, materials, soft furnishings and indoor-outdoor living, plus best garden ‘room’, as well as the highly coveted Rising Star and Room of the Year awards.
Australian House & Garden editor Gavin Kirk said Top 50 Rooms continues to play an important role in recognising the breadth of talent across Australia’s interior design and architecture industries.
“Top 50 Rooms brings together work by emerging designers and some of the country’s most established names, reflecting the range and quality of residential design being produced across Australia. For 28 years, the awards have recognised rooms that are original, beautiful and responsive to the way Australians live.”
“This year’s finalists demonstrate that a successful room is about much more than appearance. The best spaces are thoughtfully designed around the people who use them, make intelligent use of materials and balance beauty with function. Our 2026 Room of the Year, a spectacular kitchen by Sydney-based Smac Studio, delivered everything the judges were looking for: clever design, exceptional craftsmanship and a strong sense of originality.”
“At Winnings, we believe the most memorable homes are where beauty, innovation and functionality come together – and where great design makes everyday life that little bit better,” said Winnings national trade manager, Melinda Norton.
“That’s what makes the Top 50 Rooms program such a standout,” Melinda adds. “It celebrates designers who create spaces that not only look incredible, but thoughtfully designed for the way people actually live. We’re thrilled to present the Room of the Year award, among the other accolades, and a huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners. You’ve certainly raised the bar for Australian residential design.”
Top 50 Rooms extends beyond the annual event as a major editorial program across Australian House & Garden’s print, digital, social, video and email channels. The 2026 finalists and winning projects will be showcased across the Australian House & Garden ecosystem and are featured in the October issue of Australian House & Garden, on sale from today September 7. The brilliantly colourful work of Britt Ross, winner of this year’s Rising Star Award, appears on the cover.
For more information, please contact: Luke Robinson – 0417548688 | luke@storydisco.com.au
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