2026 New Furniture Makers Awards open for entries

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, has officially opened the call for entries for the 2026 New Furniture Makers Awards, celebrating the UK’s most talented emerging furniture designer-makers.

The annual awards recognise excellence across a diverse range of disciplines within the furnishing industry. For 2026, the programme expands with the introduction of a new Upholstery Award, reflecting the growing importance of this craft within contemporary furniture design.

The Apprentice Award, now in its third year, has evolved into two distinct categories – both sponsored by Achieve + Partners – to better recognise the achievements of:

• Bespoke apprentices
• Manufacturing apprentices

All entries will be initially assessed by a panel of expert judges, who will shortlist outstanding submissions. Shortlisted designers and their work will be featured in the prestigious New Furniture Makers exhibition, organised by The Furniture Makers’ Company.

Final judging will take place during the exhibition on Wednesday 4 November 2026, hosted at Furniture Makers’ Hall and the Dutch Church in London. Winners will be announced during an evening ceremony on the same day.

Award Categories for 2026

The award categories for 2026 are:

• New Furniture Makers Bespoke Award, sponsored by the Roger Richardson Legacy Fund
• New Furniture Makers Bespoke Apprentice Award, sponsored by Achieve + Partners
• New Furniture Makers Design Award, sponsored by NaughtOne
• New Furniture Makers Manufacturing Apprentice Award, sponsored by Achieve + Partners
• New Furniture Makers Textile Award, sponsored by Sonnaz
• New Furniture Makers Upholstery Award
• School Design Prize, sponsored by KI
• The Leather Prize, sponsored by The Leathersellers’ Company

In addition, all submitted entries will be automatically considered for two special accolades:

• Best in Show Prize, sponsored by Blum
• Best Chair in Show Prize, sponsored by MEON by Gaze Burvill

Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “The New Furniture Makers Awards continue to serve as a vital platform for emerging talent, offering national recognition and a unique opportunity to showcase work to industry leaders, makers, and buyers. We look forward to seeing the 2026 submissions and welcoming those shortlisted to this year’s New Furniture Makers exhibition, one of the highlights of our year.”

Ellen Baines, winner of the Bespoke Award in 2025, added: “The experience of meeting so many wonderfully talented and creative makers, both new and established, is one that will stay with me. It was a true honour and huge surprise to receive the Bespoke Award at last year’s show, and I cannot thank The Furniture Makers’ Company enough for their support of new and emerging makers.”

Reuben Porter, winner of the Design Award in 2025, concluded: “Winning the New Furniture Makers Design Award was such a fantastic experience. It was a truly lovely day exhibiting and meeting so many talented young makers from across the UK, people I hope to stay connected with and collaborate with in the future. The event gave me great exposure and the chance to speak with a wide range of industry professionals. I feel very honoured to receive this award, and I hope it marks an exciting step into the British furnishing industry.”

The deadline for entries is 11:59pm on Thursday 25 June 2026.

To enter a submission, please go to: The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Opportunities on Zealous

Or for more information about The Furniture Makers’ Company, visit: The Furniture Makers’ Company – City of London livery company