The 2026 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) has two different entry dates. The first of these is today (2 March 2026). Apply during the Early Bird period and you can save over $100 on each entry. Early Bird entries close on Sunday 3 May.

IDEA is the largest and most successful independent design awards program in Australia. It has grown steadily since it was launched by inside magazine and Australian Design Review in 2003. Each year the program celebrates the best of Australian interior and product design across 14 categories and seven Special Awards.

IDEA culminates in a grand gala each November, this year in Melbourne. At the gala all the winning projects and practices are announced, and the country’s A+D industry comes together to celebrate the best of the previous year’s projects.

All of the shortlisted projects are featured in the mid yearly edition of inside magazine. The winners are also spotlighted in the end of the year issue, published after the gala.

Vital dates

There are a number of important dates to remember, but the first is today!

• Early bird entries open Monday 2 March 2026
• Early Bird Entries close Sunday 3 May 2026
• Standard Entries open Monday 4 May 2026
• Standard Entries close Tuesday 30 June 2026
• Shortlist reveal event 6 August 2026
• Emerging Designer of the Year presentation Thursday 20 August 2026
• Designer of the Year presentation Thursday 10 September 2026
• Gala to be held in Melbourne November