Meet our finalists: Bathroom Designer of the Year: Project cost over £30k
The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards are the biggest awards in the kitchen and bathroom independent retail industry. Here, we take a look at the finalists for the Bathroom Designer of the Year 2026: Project cost over £30k.
Bathroom Designer of the Year: Project cost over £30k.
Sponsored by Bathroom Brands.
Putting projects forward for an award is always a brave thing to do. It pits your skills against your fellow designers and lets a judging panel decide who has hit the mark more than another for their brief.
Because of this, we take the entry and judging process really seriously and we believe it’s unique to this industry and is designed to make sure that those who win have truly earned their trophy.
The winner will be announced at the gala black tie event on Monday, March 2 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
Drew Dawson, North Arch Bathrooms
Commissioned by a couple renovating a period home, this bathroom project aimed to blend timeless classical design with a modern Moroccan zellige influence. The brief demanded a soothing, layered green palette, a generous walk-in shower, and a freestanding bath, while incorporating the client’s existing antique vanity and within a strict budget.
Drew sourced over thirty zellige tile samples from around the world before selecting a soft green palette from Otto Tiles, which was paired with Long Island honed marble from Ca Pietra to neutralise tones and maintain calmness. The antique vanity was fully refurbished, fitted with new Vitra basins, and topped with marble, becoming a central anchor that tied the room’s design together. Technical challenges were carefully solved: the client requested wallpaper across all walls and the ceiling, requiring specialist installation and precise pattern alignment.
The freestanding bath needed a bespoke green finish, which Drew hand-sprayed to achieve the exact colour requested. The walk-in shower involved structural remedial work to create a level tray and discrete waste, delivering a spacious, seamless area without compromising the property. Every element of the bathroom – tiles, marble, brassware, furniture, and wallpaper – was carefully selected for longevity, elegance, and cohesion. The result is a bespoke, characterful, and highly personalised bathroom that exceeded the client’s expectations while remaining within the budget.
Sophie Harrold, Simply Bathrooms & Interiors
Commissioned by a busy professional couple, this master ensuite required Sophie to combine spa-like calm with a functional, camera-ready backdrop. The brief called for a complete reworking of the compact layout, including repositioning the WC, creating a wider vanity with integrated storage, and accommodating both a full marble-clad bath and a generous walk-in shower without expanding the space.
Sophie introduced a layered palette with Venetian plaster in warm peach tones, Ottoman marble with caramel veining, and herringbone terracotta flooring to add warmth, texture, and sophistication. The dark oak bespoke vanity was designed in-house with custom drawer layouts, including a concealed laundry compartment, while the arched alcove above the bath and Crittall-style shower screen added sculptural interest.
Technical challenges were solved with ingenuity: a bespoke shower seat was fabricated from marble offcuts, the bath surround and shower enclosure were precisely mitred, and all veining aligned with brassware to maintain visual harmony. Lighting was layered to ensure flattering illumination for both daily use and filming.
Materials were carefully sourced to deliver quality and longevity. Lefroy Brooks brassware, Bette titanium steel bath, bespoke Parker Howley cabinetry, and marble purchased directly from Ca’ Pietra all ensured durability and timeless style. Underfloor heating and Schlüter heating circuits enhanced comfort. Through meticulous planning, supplier collaboration, and bespoke problem-solving, Sophie delivered an ensuite that exceeded expectations, providing understated luxury, functionality, and enduring value.
Lukas Kedden, Alfa Tiles UK
Lukas was commissioned to renovate a dated 1970s bathroom in a Georgian manor, creating a space that felt both luxurious and in keeping with the property’s classic aesthetic. The clients requested modernisation with colour and wellness features, which Lukas achieved by combining traditional design elements with bespoke contemporary solutions.
The bathroom retained the original walls, while an adjacent cupboard was transformed into a wellness area with a two-person heated bench, overhead body jets, a steam generator, a waterfall cascade, mood lighting, and a ceiling-mounted shower. Wavy blue ceramic tiles created a calming Mediterranean effect distinct from the main bathroom.
The main space features a double-basin vanity in 36mm Iroko wood with classical detailing, Carrara marble worktops with Ogee edging, and coordinating wood finishes on window sills and tile trims. Brassware was carefully selected in living and satin finishes to complement the bath and shower fittings, creating visual harmony. Custom Italian wallpaper with a parrot and orchard motif ran over 14 metres, and bespoke floor tiles were crafted from discontinued Italian ranges to achieve the perfect pattern.
Technical solutions included integrated ceiling speakers and vents, and all CAD, fabrication, and installation were meticulously planned over five months. The result is a striking, luxurious, and functional bathroom that blends Georgian elegance with modern wellness, reflecting the clients’ lifestyle and Lukas’s commitment to bespoke craftsmanship.
Steven Strady, InStil Design
Steven was commissioned to renovate a master bathroom in a 1700s converted barn, transforming a dark, traditional space into a minimal, contemporary retreat. The original bathroom had suffered a major water leak and featured uneven surfaces, requiring careful preparation before installation.
Steven’s design focused on clean lines, discreet detailing, and adaptable lighting to create a calm, uncluttered environment. Bespoke studwork was developed to house the bath spout, handset, thermostatic mixer, and shower valves, doubling as a functional side table. Integrated shower niches conceal controls and provide storage while maintaining sleek sightlines.
All sanitaryware was selected in matte white for consistency, with Keuco matte black brassware for elegance and durability. Saloni tiles with epoxy grout ensured a flawless finish, while the wet underfloor heating system enhanced comfort. Multiple technical challenges, including uneven surfaces and recessed fixtures, were resolved with bespoke design solutions.
The result is a luxurious, practical bathroom that meets the client’s exacting standards, offering long-term value through thoughtful planning, minimalistic aesthetics, and clever integration of bespoke features.
If you want to be at the biggest industry party of the year then book your tickets now as there is a limited capacity. Tickets to the 2026 awards are available via the awards booking page.