Check out the finalists of Home of the Year 2026 Ten breath-taking homes are through to the 2026 Home of the Year final, but only one can win. The RTÉ series, presented by the late Hugh Wallace since its inception, features homes from across Ireland, ranging from restored period properties to contemporary modern builds. Judges Amanda Bone, Siobhán Lam, and Hugh Wallace visit three exceptional homes weekly, scoring them out of ten on individuality, functionality, and clever design. The highest-scoring home from each episode advances to the grand final. This year marks a first in the competition’s history: each judge was awarded one Golden Key to apply during the series, allowing them to save a runner-up from an episode and send them straight to the grand final. The home with the highest overall score in the finale will be crowned the winner. Among the finalists is a detached, 20-year-old neo-Georgian house in West Cork, owned by Marie and Jo. The couple live there with their daughter Emily. When they purchased the home, it was structurally sound but required renovation to reflect their personal style. They undertook the work themselves, designing every inch of the property. The interiors blend classical style with artisan quirks, highlighted by Marie’s own artwork. Another finalist is a contemporary new build in Dublin, designed by architect Áine. The A1-rated home features an exhaust air heat pump, PV solar panels, and underfloor heating. Built on a side garden plot, it maximises sunlight exposure, with all-day-long sun a unique feature of the property. Amanda Bone used her Golden Key for this home to advance it to the final. Also in the final is a forever home in County Kildare, built in 2005 by Lorcan and Adrian on family land. Inspired by two traditional farm-style buildings, the house features an eclectic mix of masculine and classic elements, drawing inspiration from the couple’s travels. Their passion for floristry and horticulture is evident in the garden, which includes hidden rooms to maximise space. Hugh Wallace used his Golden Key for this home. The grand final will be broadcast live from Palmerstown, County Kildare, on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 at 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Viewers can tune in to see the judges deliberate and announce the winner of Home of the Year 2026.
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