IDS Names 2026 Designer of the Year Award Winners in Las Vegas

The Interior Design Society (IDS) named more than 50 winners of its 2026 Designer of the Year Awards at a ceremony held Sept. 30 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, with Carson Kressley emceeing the evening. Dana Bass Designs, Debbe Daley and Nicole Yee each took multiple trophies across the space design categories.

"This year's Designer of the Year Award winners showcase the creativity, thoughtful problem-solving and attention to detail that make residential design so meaningful," said Jenny Cano, IDS executive director. "We're proud to recognize their exceptional work and celebrate the many ways our members create spaces that enrich their clients's lives."

Who won the space design categories?

Bathroom honors split across four size brackets. Monica McCaskill Interiors won bathrooms 75 square feet and below; Dorian Bolick of Red Door Living took 76–125 square feet; Partum Interiors' Dominika Chanc won 126–200 square feet; and J Squared Home Designs by Juliana Ewer won 201 square feet and above. Krystal Reinhard won powder rooms.

Bedroom winners were Kat Black Interiors (150 square feet and below), Angela Rennie (151–300 square feet) and Dana Bass Designs (301 square feet and above).

Kitchen awards went to Brittnie Giles and Sabina Kunitsyna (250 square feet and below), Haus of Blaylock (251–350 square feet), Studio Steidley (351–500 square feet) and Melissa Trivette (501 square feet and above).

Other space winners include:

• Accessory Dwelling Unit: Design Lifestyles
• Dining Rooms 200 square feet and below: Elizabeth Ryan Interiors
• Dining Rooms 201 square feet and above: Debbe Daley
• Entry Way & Foyers: Sabina Kunitsyna and Brittnie Giles
• Health & Wellness Space/Home Gym: Nicole Yee, NY Interiors
• Home Bar / Wine Cellar: Deborah Gregg Interiors
• Home Office / Studio / Craft 150 square feet and below: Studio Steidley
• Home Office / Studio / Craft 151 square feet and above: Leah S Mamone
• Kid & Teen Rooms: Baker Design Group
• Nurseries: Clarissa Oleksowicz
• Pet Feature: Debbe Daley

Living-space awards went to Michelle Yorke (150 square feet and below), Debbe Daley (151–300), Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors (301–450) and Dana Bass Designs (451 and above). Dana Bass Designs also won outdoor spaces furnishings and decor, recreation spaces 500 square feet and below, and holiday design in the specialty section.

New construction split at 3,000 square feet: Nicole Yee of NY Interiors won the under-3,000 bracket, and Jana Schleif Interiors took 3,001 square feet and above. Megan Long won outdoor spaces furnishings and construction, Gina D'Amore Bauerle won recreation spaces 501 square feet and above, Kendra Stewart and Bellisa Design split the utility categories, and Debbe Daley won whole home 3,000 square feet and below while Christine Cook of EP Interior won 3,001 square feet and above.

What do the specialty and business awards cover?

Specialty awards spanned craft, technology and social impact:

• Digital Rendering: TAB Interior Designs
• Product Design: Shayla Copas Lifestyle
• Sherwin-Williams Award: Amy Owens, Hidden Gem Design Group
• Smart Home / Technical Lighting Feature(s): Sights-N-Sounds and Keith Baltimore
• Student Design Award: Lisa Le
• Sustainable Design: Erica Reiner
• Unique Design Element (tie): Old Soul Design Studio and Meehan Giacone Design
• Universal Design / Aging in Place (design for accessibility across life stages): Susy McBride
• Vacation Rental Design: Design Vision Studio
• Value Design: J Squared Home Designs by Juliana Ewer

Business practice awards went to Veronica Ferro and Britt Hinrichs for social media presence, Angela Rennie for best studio design, and Mae Reedy Build + Design for best website.

Group and individual IMPACT awards (IDS's member recognition honors) went to Rhobin DelaCruz Designs | The Design Besties as a group, a tie between Fredric Alexander and Ryan Williams individually, and Heritage School of Interior Design Dallas as industry partner or sponsor.

What does this change for working designers? The full winners and runners-up list is published on the Interior Design Society website at interiordesignsociety.org/2026doty, giving firms and clients a benchmark of current residential design standards. The awards return next year as IDS's principal recognition program for its member designers.