top 5 interior design shows

Top 5 interior design shows every first time buyer should go to

Every first-time buyer can feel overwhelmed by all the various possibilities of what they can do with their new home. So, attending interior design shows can really help you realise how you want your new home to look.

There are so many interior design shows out there, but which ones are relevant to first-time buyers? Here’s our top 5.

1) Ideal Home Show

The Ideal Home Show
Image credit to www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

This is without a doubt one of the most popular interior design shows in the whole of the UK!

We’re sure everyone has at least heard of the Ideal Home Show, even if you haven’t attended.

The Ideal Home Show celebrates the latest innovations, the brightest ideas and the most inspiration to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

If you’re not quite sure what you want to do with your new home, this show is perfect for you. In 2018 there were 194 exhibitors in 8 sections of the show; Style, Interiors, Home Accessories, Homewares, Home Renovation, Gardens, Gadgets and Health & Fitness.

Exhibiting inside The Ideal Home Show
Image credit to www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

With so much to see, we are sure you will find inspiration here! There are live performances, a bar, craft workshops and celeb talks!

2018 had talks and discussion from Phil Spencer, David Domoney and Martin Lewis, amongst others.

This year it will be held in Olympia, London from March 22nd to April 7th and you can book weekday or weekend tickets for around £14.

2) Grand Designs

Exhibiting inside Grand Designs
Image credit to www.granddesignslive.com

Another popular design show, Grand Designs has everything you can possibly need for your new home!

They have something to cover every aspect of your home from interiors to gardens, design and technology, kitchens and bathrooms and more!

They have all kinds of exhibitions where you will find products and services, you can book a free 30-minute discussion with a professional on any thoughts you have on your new home, as well as hear industry experts give live talks.

As always, Kevin McCloud will be on the Grand Theatre stage lead educational seminars and dynamic debates.

In 2018 Kevin had other speaks join him on stage such as Dick Strawbridge & Angel Adoree, Stella Corrall from Lucentia Design, Andrew Eversden from Join the Pipe, Emma Priestland from Friends of the Earth and Georgina Burnett from The Home Genie – just to name a few!

Kevin McCloud holding a seminar on the Grand Theatre Stage
Image credit to www.granddesignslive.com

There were 192 exhibitors in 2018, so we are sure there will be something of interest to you! Some stall will be offering free advice and some will have products for sale, so there really is something for everyone.

The show is held in both London and Birmingham. The London show is held 4th – 12th May and Birmingham 9th – 13th October. Both have weekday and weekend tickets available are around £14.

3) Southwest Home Show

Southwest home & garden show
Image credit to www.southwesthomeshow.co.uk

This home & Garden Show is the Southwest’s premier event that brings together the very best of interiors, garden, renewable energy and self-build suppliers under one roof!

It hosts over 150 exhibitors and provides ideal information and inspiration for anyone about to buy, or have just brought a new home, those undertaking an extension, renovation and more!

They specialise in the latest renewable and eco-friendly products and services – important to some if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint.

There were 96 exhibitors in 2018 in 6 different areas; Interiors, gardens, renewables, self build, homeware and food.

Exhibitors at the Southwest home show
Image credit to www.southwesthomeshow.co.uk

Southwest Home Show also host 25 minute free drop in seminars throughout the weekend. 2018 had discussions such as; ‘Using rainwater in the home’, ‘optimising the planning process’ and ‘good kitchen design’

The Southwest home show held in Exeter 6th – 7th April and is free to attend if you register online, or just £3 on the door! – A lot cheaper than other home shows that are located in the big cities like London.

4) Clerkenwell Design Week

ob&b exhibiting at Clerkenwell Design Week
Image credit to www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world.

To celebrate the diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week showcases leading UK as well as international brands and companies. They are presented in a series of showroom events,  exhibitions and special installations that take place across Clerkenwell, London.

2019 celebrates their 10th anniversary, so we are sure there will be extra special events being showcased; something you don’t want to miss! A must for those of you with the latest of design in mind.

Live demonstration taking place at Clerkenwell Design Week
Image credit to www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

In 2018, 34,060 people attended CDW. It had 16 areas, including fabrics & textiles, flooring, lighting, furniture and more with over 300 exhibiting brands.

One of the buildings in which they exhibited was the famous grade 2 listed Farmiloe building – something to admire just for its self!

It will be held from the 21st – 23rd May and is free to attend.

5) Smart Home

Helpful advice being given
Image credit to www.smarthometechlive.co.uk

An interesting show to attend if you are a tech lover!

This is the ultimate event for showcasing the future of smart technologies, the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, Internet of things (IoT), Energy Saving, Cybersecurity and more!

These technologies are revolutionising both connected and independent living. If you are looking to incorporate the latest technology into your home, this is the place to find out about it!

Smart Home had 17 speakers in 2018 including Sumit Kohli from IoT Robotics – Fujitsu, Neil Carter from Bosh Thermotechnology and William Hopkins from Your Smart Home Ltd to name a few.

There are 150 seminars as well as panel debates, live demos and they even host innovation awards.

Seminar at Home & Design Summit
Image credit to www.smarthometechlive.co.uk

2018 held 200 exciting exhibitors and this number will rise year on year as new technology is created.

Smart Home are proud to work alongside other exhibition shows such as the Dementia Care & Nursing Home Expo, as their technology assists those living with dementia.

The Smart Home Show is held 26th – 27th March at the NEC in Birmingham and free to attend.


And that’s our list!

If, however, you haven’t bought your first home, but are on the cusp of doing so, we recommend visiting the First Time Buyers Home Show. It is a fantastic event that takes place in Stratford every year. However, there will also be an event taking place in Manchester this year as well.

The First Time Buyer Show

Advice being given to first time buyers at FTB Home Show
Image credit to www.ftbhomeshow.com

Now in its 10th year, this free to attend show is a one-stop shop to help first-time buyers achieve their dream home and help them to step on the property ladder.

There are seminars from leading property experts that explain the different aspects of buying your first home. Here you will find property developers, housing associations, solicitors, independent financial advisers, mortgage consultants and interior experts all ready to offer you the best advice when it comes to buying your first home.

Take a look at this short video to see for yourself how helpful this show can be for first time buyers.

We hope this list was helpful for all you first-time buyers! If anyone has any other recommendations to add to our list, please feel free to share your thoughts below.

Owatrol Team
About Owatrol Team

Our team are ready and willing to support you with your requirements whether it is protecting your newly laid deck or renovating a luxury yacht, whatever the application Owatrol has the solution you are looking for.

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