The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is preparing for the 2027 KCMA® Design Awards, inviting architects across the U.S. and Canada to submit outstanding kitchen projects featuring cabinetry from KCMA member manufacturers.
The KCMA Design Awards provide architects with an opportunity to showcase projects that combine architectural vision, functionality, innovation and quality cabinetry while demonstrating how cabinetry integrates with the overall architectural design.
Building on tremendous growth, the 2026 KCMA Design Awards received 101 submissions—more than double the number received the previous year. The record participation reflects growing interest in the competition and brings even greater attention to the talented professionals shaping today’s kitchen environments.
“The KCMA Design Awards are about more than just great kitchens,” said Betsy Natz, CEO of KCMA. “They’re a celebration of design leadership, innovation, and the power of collaboration across our industry. We are proud to recognize the individuals and firms elevating cabinet design to new levels of beauty, functionality, and performance.”
What Makes a Winning Design?
Eligible projects will be evaluated by a panel of design professionals using seven key criteria:
Innovation • Aesthetics • Functionality • Durability • Utility • Emotional Quotient (EQ) • Overall Rating
Projects incorporating KCMA Quality Certified cabinets or cabinetry from manufacturers participating in the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) may also receive bonus consideration.
Put Your Work in the Spotlight
The KCMA Design Awards offer architects more than the opportunity to win an award—they provide a platform to showcase exceptional work to the architectural design and building industries.
In addition to cash awards for top projects, the program has historically provided participants with professional exposure through KCMA and leading industry media.
KCMA further recognizes the design community through its LOOK BOOK, a print and digital publication showcasing submitted projects—not just the award winners. The LOOK BOOK gives participating professionals and firms another opportunity to share their architectural vision, design expertise and completed projects with a broader industry audience.
Important Dates — Tentative
KCMA is currently planning the following schedule for the 2027 Design Awards program:
- Design Submission Period: October 12, 2026 – December 18, 2026
- Judging Begins: February 15, 2027
Dates are tentative and subject to change. Additional competition details, eligibility requirements, award information and submission guidelines will be announced by KCMA.
Architects interested in participating are encouraged to start identifying their strongest kitchen projects and gathering professional photography and project information in preparation for the submission period.
Your next outstanding kitchen project deserves to be seen.
Complete information about the 2027 KCMA® Design Awards, including the official Rules & Regulations, How to Submit, and more, is available at www.kcmadesignawards.com.