Who are the judges on the latest series of Home of the Year as newcomer joins the panel

The highly anticipated new series of RTÉ's Home of the Year is set to return to our screens on Tuesday night. 

The new series will take us on an exclusive tour of 21 outstanding homes across the country in counties such as Carlow, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wicklow.

With the show's judges visiting each home vying for the coveted title of Home of the Year and scoring them out of 10, who exactly is on the panel this time around?

One of the show's original and well loved judges, Hugh Wallace will return this year for his 11th series as a judge. Since starring on the hit show, Wallace has become a popular TV personality and household name with other design programmes such as The Great House Revival which he presents. 

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Before branching into media, Wallace founded Douglas Wallace Architects in 1980 which has become one of Ireland's leading design and project management firms. He is also a member of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland, as well as a past president of the Institute of Designers in Ireland and the recipient of multiple industry and consumer awards.

Hugh's reputation for creating exceptional living spaces and his understanding of architecture has made him of the most influential designers in the country. 

Commenting on his passion for the show, Wallace said: "What I love most about Home of the Year is getting to see the incredible creativity, personality, and individuality that homeowners bring to where they live. A home isn’t just about good design—it needs to be functional, with a layout that works, lighting that enhances a room, and an ability to capture views.

But above all, a truly amazing home should bring joy. It should be a place that makes people happy every single day. That’s what we’re looking for in Home of the Year—homes that aren’t just well-designed but that have heart and soul."

Returning for her fifth year, Amanda Bone will be another familiar face on the judging panel. Bone brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise from her impressive career as an architect, having worked in Paris, New York and Dublin before establishing her very own company. 

Amanda Bone Architects began in 2000 and has since become a multi-award winning architectural practice, specialising in one-off individual houses ranging from contemporary new builds to the refurbishment of protected structures.

Bone began working with DTA Architects in 2020, a design oriented practice with particular expertise in high density sites and typological innovation, and recognised as a leading practice in residential design and sustainability across various scales and sectors for both public and private clients.

Speaking about her excitement for viewers to watch the new series, Bone said: "Series 11 was thoroughly enjoyable. Of the five series I’ve been involved in to date, it featured the most competitive, emotional, and challenging final to judge, reflecting the overall high standard of the homes in this year’s competition."

Finally, newcomer Siobhan Lam will be joining the series as it's latest addition to the judging panel. Fans of the show might recognise Lam from the first ever series of Home of the Year where she showcased her own home!

She is also a well established figure in the Irish design scene, being the founder, director and creative powerhouse behind April and the Bear, one of Ireland’s most exciting interior and lifestyle stores and interior design studios. A lover of quirky design, fearless colour, and statement pieces that make a house feel like home, Lam has built a brand that’s as much about personality as it is about practicality.

Discussing her debut on the judging panel, Lam said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of Home of the Year! I love seeing how people express themselves through their interiors, and I can’t wait to celebrate clever and creative Irish homes. I’ll be looking for homes that push the boundaries of design, where the homeowner embraces colour and goes for the unexpected choice."