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Meet the contestants who took on BBC's Interior Design Masters 2026 — from finalists Sophie and Lia to every eliminated designer
The seventh series of BBC's Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr is proving fiercer than ever. With 10 novice designers taking on the challenge, this series has delivered ingenious design hacks and jaw-dropping transformations — all of them, as Alan puts it, 'bigger, bolder and, quite frankly, more bonkers' than ever before. And now, with the finalists confirmed, Sophie and Lia are preparing to go head-to-head in next week's grand final.
Often hailed as TV’s ultimate crash course in interiors, Interior Design Masters (IDM) follows 10 design hopefuls competing for their big break in the world of interior design. The series is presented by comedian Alan Carr, with interiors expert Michelle Ogundehin as head judge, joined each week by a roster of guest judges.
From beach huts to castle hotels, designers are challenged to transform a diverse range of spaces — all in the hope of creating a true 'Stand Out Space'. With one contestant eliminated each week, the pressure is on, and only one will be crowned the winner.
'This series feels more confident than ever,' says Michelle. 'The level of talent is high, but what I really love is the range of perspectives. You’re not just seeing people decorate, you’re seeing how differently people think about space, and how those decisions play out under real pressure.
'What viewers can expect is a real mix of ambition and constraint. The briefs are demanding, the timelines are tight, and that’s where the truth of a designer really reveals itself. Who can make strong decisions and stand by them.'
Stockport-based design and technology teacher John Cooper won the sixth series in 2025, with Rita Millat finishing as runner-up. Following his win, John launched a successful monochrome homeware collaboration with John Lewis, spanning everything from cushions to an armchair. The series was also a ratings success, doubling BBC One’s average share among 16–34-year-olds and achieving its highest-ever audience share of 30.4 per cent.
The winner will launch their own homeware range with Next.
Previous winners have gone on to secure a range of high‑profile collaborations and commercial commissions. As well as John Cooper's John Lewis collection, series five winner Roisin Quinn partnered with La Redoute. Earlier winners took on major design projects, including Monika Charchula’s redesign of a central London cocktail bar in 2023, and Banjo Beale’s transformation of a four-bedroom holiday home in Cornwall in 2022.
It’s further proof that Interior Design Masters provides a genuine springboard to a flourishing career. 'Amy [Davies] has designed wallpaper for my house, Peter [Irvine] just recently sent me a rug from his new collection, Banjo [Beale] has gone on to do a TV show himself and Molly [Coath] worked on a project with Matthew Williamson. It’s so lovely to see all this talent being used – I feel like a proud dad!,' says Alan.
Keep scrolling for a full rundown of this series' eliminated contestants.
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
Job: Specialist Painter
Design style: Rock & Roll Maximalist
Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Sophie lived in London and Los Angeles before settling in Staffordshire with her musician–barber husband, Brad, and their dog, Duchess. A bold, vivacious designer, she’s known for her 'rock & roll maximalism', layering jewel tones, clashing prints and eclectic antiques.
Sophie says: 'I have a unique design style that I want to share with the world. The opportunity to get hands-on experience in a competitive environment and get 1-2-1 feedback from some of the most well-respected people in the industry was what I needed to become a better designer, a better business owner and a stronger, more confident person.'
Location: Glasgow / East London
Job: Retail Inventory Control And Home Stager
Design style: Botanical Maximalist
Lia, who grew up just outside Glasgow in a lively Scottish Italian family, is a confident, hands-on designer inspired by her father’s DIY approach. After a career in retail, she now pursues commercial interiors, creating bold, botanical maximalist spaces and championing experimentation while encouraging more women to embrace DIY.
Lia says: 'Every week we pushed ourselves to the absolute limits of what can be achieved in just two days, and I think we surprised ourselves every week too (and the poor trades!). There were a lot of tense moments, and we were constantly fighting for time, right down to the last second of every challenge. The talent is so high this year and the spaces are magical.'
• EIGHTH DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Location: East London
Job: Artist and Football Coach
Design style: Abstract Modernist
Artist, sculptor, maker and designer Emmely is originally from The Netherlands. She grew up in rural Nottinghamshire before moving to London to study Textile Design and Fine Art. Now based in East London, Emmely juggles a vibrant career from exhibiting art internationally to coaching children for Tottenham Hotspur’s football programme.
Emmely says: 'I also create a lot of furniture pieces and love finding beauty in everyday objects. Interior Design Masters felt like the perfect way to push myself creatively and learn more about interior design, without having to go back to university and spend a ridiculous amount of money.'
• SEVENTH DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Location: North London
Job: Dancer/choreographer
Design style: Modern Romantic
Raised in a Turkish-Cypriot family, Duran began dancing at three, later building a 15-year career as a professional dancer before expanding into choreography, artistic direction, costume design, prop styling and photography. She is the UK’s leading figure in Shway Style, a street dance style born out of 1970s LA.
Duran says: 'I had always thought about applying, and after coming out of a 10-year relationship, my sister sent me the application form and said, “You miss all the shots you don’t take.” She was right, and I’m so glad I listened, applying ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made.'
• SIXTH DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Location: South London
Job: Creative Industries Consultant
Design style: Modern Nostalgia
Proud of his Mauritian heritage, Ajeet lives with his partner in their renovated family home in Tooting, south-west London. His aesthetic blends contemporary design with dark, earthy tones and tactile, industrial textures. Before moving into interiors, he worked in the arts and culture sector, supporting creative entrepreneurs across music, film and design.
Ajeet says: 'Before the show, I’d been made redundant and was in a period of real uncertainty; trying to land a full-time role, while also starting to explore interior design more seriously with a few clients. Applying felt like a bit of a leap, but also like something I was being pulled towards. We actually began the first challenge exactly a year to the day I was made redundant, which felt quite cosmic. It gave me the confidence to take it seriously, back myself, and embrace this transition.'
• FIFTH DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Location: Yorkshire / Watford
Job: Stage School Manager
Design style: Mid-century
Warm, charismatic and proudly Yorkshire, Jonni brings together performance, personality and interiors, shaped by a creative upbringing and a career in musical theatre. Now based in Watford, he runs a performing arts school and renovates homes in a playful mid-century style, favouring bold colour, DIY projects and, as he puts it, 'champagne taste on a tap-water budget'.
Jonni says: 'Since giving up performing, interior design has always been a creative outlet for me, and Interior Design Masters felt like the ultimate way to challenge myself. I’ve always questioned what my life would be like stepping away from the spotlight and how I could channel my creativity, so I asked myself, why not interior design? I wanted to push myself creatively and see how my ideas would stand up in such a high-pressure environment and I loved every second of it!'
• JOINT THIRD DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Location: Birmingham
Job: Content Creator
Design style: Bougie on a Budget
Kate, a Birmingham-based DIY advocate, champions empowering women to create beautiful interiors on a budget. A former recruiter turned interiors content creator, she shares affordable, high-end-inspired design through her renovated family home. Known for inventive upcycling and practical hacks, she proves stylish, luxe spaces don’t require a big spend.
Kate says: 'I’ve always loved interior design, but as I got older, I realised it didn’t always feel accessible. When I was renovating my home, I’d save images I loved, get quotes and realise I just couldn’t afford to achieve that look. Instead of giving up, I started learning DIY and finding clever ways to recreate those spaces on a budget. That’s really where my journey began.'
• JOINT THIRD DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Location: West Midlands
Job: Outdoor Furniture Designer
Design style: Upcycled Vintage
Stourbridge-based Ben has a love of vintage treasures, a passion for upcycling and an unexpected admiration for the Royal family – portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria proudly hang beside his bed. Before turning to furniture design, Ben worked in hospitality and during lockdown he began restoring pieces. That passion soon grew into a desire to create full interiors that could house his upcycled furniture.
Ben says: 'I don’t think people expect a 27-year-old who’s covered in tattoos to love the Royal family and be into upcycling antiques. I guess I’m an old soul.'
• SECOND DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Frankie became the second contestant to be eliminated from the competition after the remaining designers were challenged to transform a medieval-style castle into a hotel bedroom suite. Michelle and guest judge Linda Boronkay awarded the Stand Out Space to Sophie, who ‘absolutely nailed the brief’. Duran, Emmely and Frankie were left on the sofa, with Frankie ultimately sent home.
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Location: New Forest
Job: Graphic Designer
Design style: Graphic Colourful
Frankie, an extroverted designer from New Forest, left for Australia at 18 and built a global career mentoring graduates and founding her company in 2009. A prolific traveller to 100 countries, she renovates distinctive homes worldwide. She’s also a van enthusiast, having owned 11 over the years, each thoughtfully converted into a compact home on wheels that reflects her passion for small-space living and resourceful design.
Frankie says: 'I have never wanted to be on TV, so this whole experience has been very outside my comfort zone. I couldn’t resist the idea of having a bunch of fun spaces to design, a van, a budget, a painter and a carpenter on hand. Literally my dream scenario! So, I applied, went off to hike the Camino De Santiago and then got in!'
• FIRST DESIGNER TO BE ELIMINATED
Teo is the first contestant to be eliminated from Interior Design Masters. In week one, the amateur designers were tasked with transforming a beach hut on the Dorset coast, showcasing their signature styles while demonstrating their ability to reuse and repurpose. Michelle and guest judge Jonathan Adler awarded the Stand Out Space to Ben, but Teo found himself on the orange sofa alongside Kate and Emmely, and was ultimately sent home.
Read more: This simple tile trick from Interior Design Masters will make any space look expensive
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Location: Surrey / Leeds
Job: Graphic Designer
Design style: Retro Modern
Teo has transformed his home through self-taught renovation, mastering everything from sanding to landscaping. He has worked as a freelance designer and art director, and now runs his own agency creating album artwork for major artists including Sam Fender and Olivia Dean.
Teo says: 'My main aim for going on Interior Design Masters was to show other guys that interior design is something you can be interested in — it shouldn’t be judged or boxed in. Having a space where you can switch off, escape and feel comfortable is something everyone needs.'
Sophie Newlands earns runner-up spot on IDM
Winner of BBC's IDM revealed
Emmely defends bold designs on Interior Design Masters
Interior Design Masters exit: ‘I was ready to go’
