Interior Design Masters Is Back For Series 7 – Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Alan Carr’s cult-followed interior design reality-competition series is back. In Interior Design Masters, Carr is joined by interiors guru and former Elle Decoration editor Michelle Ogundehin to find a talented and passionate interior designer from a cohort of 10 dazzling hopefuls. Here’s what to expect from series 7, plus when it’ll be on TV.

Interior Design Masters Series 7: Contestants, Release Schedule & More

What’s The Premise?

Interior Design Masters is a competition series pitting 10 amateur interior designers (all of varying degrees of experience in the industry) head-to-head, in attempt to be crowned the Interior Design Master and win a life-changing commercial design contract. Each week, a new challenge is set, testing their ability to design creatively and uniquely while also fulfilling a commercial or residential brief – from redesigning shops, restaurants and salons to creating living spaces for families.

After each challenge, series judge Michelle Ogundehin decides which designers have created the ‘Stand Out Space’. Meanwhile, the week’s worst performer is eliminated from the competition, while the other contestants move on to the next week’s brief.

Who Hosts The Show?

Interior Design Masters has been hosted by iconic comedian Alan Carr since 2021, with the arrival of series two. Before Carr, the show was fronted by presenter Fearne Cotton.

Who Are The Judges?

Joining Carr on the Interior Design Masters sofa is Michelle Ogundehin, the show’s main judge and former Elle Decoration editor-in-chief. Each series, she’s joined by a rotating panel of judges who correspond with the week’s brief – some previous guest judges include interior stylist Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, retail expert Mary Portas and home designer Jade Jagger.

What Does The Winner Get?

The winner of Interior Design Masters will have the opportunity to release their very own collection of homeware in collaboration with a major retailer.

BBC/DSP/Chris Lobina

What Can We Expect From Series 7?

Speaking to the BBC, Carr has teased viewers can expect the contestants to be tasked with transforming even bigger and better spaces this series. ‘It’s bigger, bolder, and quite frankly more bonkers and I’m here for it,’ he said. ‘What I love about the show is the different personalities, the design hacks and most of all the transformations. I think the show has such a dedicated following that we didn’t want to change it up too much, but there are a few few surprises along the way.’

‘This series feels more confident than ever,’ added Ogundehin. ‘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.’

Alongside the highs of designing, we can also expect a few calamities here and there – some (but not all, he told the BBC) from Carr’s own doing. ‘One designer stenciled the outline of countries onto a wall in an off white, greyish colour,’ he recounted. ‘I innocently mentioned they looked a bit like damp patches – well let’s just say they soon got painted over. Maybe I can be a bit too honest sometimes!’

Meet The Contestants

Ten contestants will battle it out for the top prize. They are:

• Ajeet: a creative industries consultant from South London; he describes his design style as  ‘modern nostalgia’
• Ben: an outdoor furniture designer from the West Midlands; he describes his design style as ‘upcycled vintage’
• Duran: a dancer and choreographer from North London; she describes her design style as ‘modern romantic’
• Emmely: an artist and football coach from East London; she describes her design style as ‘abstract modernist’
• Frankie: a graphic designer from the New Forest; she describes her design style as ‘graphic colourful’
• Jonni: a stage school manager from Yorkshire/Watford; he describes his design style as ‘mid-century’
• Kate: a content creator from Birmingham; she describes her design style as ‘bougie on a budget’
• Lia: a retail inventory control and home stager from Glasgow/East London; she describes her design style as ‘botanical maximalist’
• Sophie: a specialist painter from Stoke-on-Trent; she describes her design style as ‘rock and roll maximalist’
• Teo: a graphic designer from Surrey/Leeds; he describes his design style as ‘retro modern’

BBC/DSP/Georgina Vincent

Where Was It Filmed?

Since each week poses a new brief and location for the designers, a series of Interior Design Masters is usually filmed all over the UK – although the show’s design hub (where Michelle judges the contestants) is in Brighton.

Who Are The Previous Winners?

Last year, John Cooper, a DT teacher from Stockport, was dubbed the show’s top designer, narrowly beating his fellow contestants to the title. He joined a growing list of previous winners of Interior Design Masters, including:

• Series 6, 2025: John Cooper
• Series 5, 2024: Roisin Quinn
• Series 4, 2023: Monika Charchula
• Series 3, 2022: Banjo Beale
• Series 2, 2021: Lynsey Ford
• Series 1, 2019: Cassie Nicholas

Many of the designers, both winners and contestants, have kept up with the Interior Design Masters family over the years. Speaking on the show’s growing community, Carr said that he loved ‘getting to know the designers and seeing how they flourish after the show ends. Amy has designed wallpaper for my house, Peter just recently sent me a rug from his new collection, Banjo has gone on to do a tv show himself and Mollie worked on a project with Matthew Williamson. It’s so lovely to see all this talent being used – I feel like a proud dad!’

When Is Interior Design Masters On TV?

Not long now! Interior Design Masters returns for series 7 on Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 8pm on BBC One. As was the case in past years, the series will be comprised of eight episodes and air weekly, until the winner is revealed during the final on 2 June 2026.

See the full release schedule for series 7 below:

• Episode 1: 21 April 2026
• Episode 2: 28 April 2026
• Episode 3: 26 March 2024
• Episode 4: 5 May 2026
• Episode 5: 12 May 2026
• Episode 6: 19 May 2026
• Episode 7: 26 May 2026
• Episode 8: 2 June 2026

BBC/DSP/Georgina Vincent

Will There Be Another Series Of Interior Design Masters?

Yes, the BBC revealed last year that there will be an Interior Design Masters series 8. Casting for the series has already been completed, and filming is set to commence in the summer – meaning we can expect the show air in spring 2027.

‘To get your show recommissioned is always a lovely thing but to get it recommissioned twice is really special,’ Carr said on the news. ‘And it’s such a wonderful feeling to know that Interior Design Masters will be keeping the UK entertained and also inspired. I feel the show goes from strength to strength and whether Interior Design Masters makes you giggle on the settee or propels you up a stepladder with a drill in hand to give your room some much needed TLC, we hope we put a smile on your face.’

Where Can I Stream Interior Design Masters?

Series 2 to 6 of Interior Design Masters are available to stream on BBC iPlayer; series 7 will join the platform as episodes air this spring.

Series 2 is also available on Netflix.

Series 1, which was presented by Fearne Cotton and first aired in 2019, is not currently available to stream.

Images: BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions