Home of the Year 2026 Winners Revealed: Kildare Couple Crowned Champions as Finalists Shine Across Ireland

Lorcan Burke and Adrian Sharp have been crowned the winners of Home of the Year 2026, securing the top honor in RTÉ’s popular design competition after impressing judges with their thoughtfully crafted family home in County Kildare.

The couple, who are both involved in floristry and horticulture, built their forever home in 2005 on family land, drawing inspiration from two traditional farm-style buildings. Working with architect Pat Kerr, they created a space that blends masculine and classic elements, reflecting their personal travels and shared passions.

Their light-filled abode, designed with the garden as a primary consideration, features an open-plan layout that maximizes natural light throughout the day. Lorcan explained that the orientation of the house allows for both a morning and afternoon patio, ensuring the space is used fully from dawn to dusk.

A standout feature of the property is its seamless integration with the outdoors, particularly the garden, which the couple describes as a true extension of the home. The landscape includes beautiful planting and hidden rooms, such as a tearoom, designed to make the most of every inch of space.

Speaking with RTÉ Lifestyle following their win, Lorcan expressed disbelief at the outcome, saying they had never expected to advance as far as they did in the competition. “We were completely blown away,” he said. “I felt rather unworthy when I saw all the other beautiful homes, but it was lovely to be, in a sense, with your tribe, with people with a passion for interiors and their homes.”

The couple also highlighted the emotional significance of building around a long-standing weeping willow tree on the property, which had ties to Adrian’s late father. This personal connection influenced the home’s design and placement on the land.

Home of the Year 2026 featured ten finalists from across Ireland, with Lorcan and Adrian’s Kildare residence ultimately scoring highest in the judges’ assessments of individuality, functionality, and clever design. The grand final aired on RTÉ on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 7 p.m., where judges Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone, and Siobhan Lam deliberated the winner.

The victory marks a meaningful milestone for the couple, who view the home not just as a living space but as a representation of their commitment to each other and their shared vision for a life rooted in nature, creativity, and thoughtful design.