A-list inspiration. The Interior Design Excellence Awards shortlist just dropped

If you're in need of some interior design inspiration, then look no further than the 2025 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) shortlist.

This year's line-up showcased a record total of 328 unique projects across 14 categories and seven Special Awards, ranging from residential to commercial, object to public design.

Managing editor of Australian Design Review and inside magazine, Sophie Berrill, said the amount and quality of the entrants indicated that "Australia's interior design industry is in a healthy place."

"This is the highest number of entries we have received over the past decade," she said. "What's made it pretty special this year is the mix of studios from around the country - we've got some really exciting emerging designers in there as well as established studios."

The shortlist was announced at a sold-out event held at Melbourne's Abbotsford Convent on August 14.

Emerging themes

While 'trends' may be a dirty word in the world of design, according to Berrill there were definite themes that emerged among the shortlist.

"Colour drenching and dark timbers were certainly very popular,"she said. "As were helical staircases, really big statement staircases, especially in residential projects.

"Floor-to-ceiling walls of sheer curtains really added a soft ambiance to a lot of projects, and skylights were definitely another repeat feature.

"Those are the things that stood out to me."

Berrill also noted an emergence of 'corporate core' aesthetics including grid ceiling designs being used in a number of projects.

New kids on the block

The most significant, and perhaps life-changing category for IDEA is the award for Emerging Designer of the Year.

This category is for studios and designers that have only been established within the past five years.

"For me it's the most exciting category," Berrill said. "I think we're always looking for new talent from around the country and the shortlisted designers are all very unique in their own way."

Among the shortlisted studios were Sydney-based CO:AIKA and Studio PULP, Queensland's J.AR OFFICE, Melbourne studios In Addition, Keep Studio, Studio Co & Co and Without Studio, and Melbourne and Sydney-based Studio Manifold.

Last year's winner was Sydney-based architecture firm, Studio Shand. In an interview with Australian Design Review, Benjamin Jay Shand said winning the award meant "a lot" to him.

"Being awarded Emerging Designer of the Year means that our work at Studio Shand has reached a pinnacle and has been recognised by peers and an industry we feel very fortunate to be a part of," he said.

In with the old

As well as acknowledging the up-and-comers, this year's awards will also honour established design in a its brand new category - Enduring.

"It's an exciting one for us," said Berrill. "It looks at projects that are at least 10 years old and have stood the test of time.

"There's a real array of sectors and places that people will know and love."

Some of those shortlisted projects included Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, Tasmanian boutique hotel Pumphouse Point, sustainable urban housing project The Commons, Adelaide-based Italian restaurant Oggi and grand Victorian terrace Elysium.

Established in 2003, IDEA is one of Australia's most notable and longest-running interior design and architecture awards.

Winners will be chosen by a jury panel of esteemed experts including Melissa Leung, Jade Whittaker, Andrew Glover, Conrad Lowry, Matiya Marovich, Meryl Hare and jury chair Paul Hecker.

The announcement will be made at a gala party held at Sydney's Seymour Centre in November.

All shortlisted projects will be featured in issue 121 of inside magazine, which is now available to order here.