How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show
The Ideal Home Show, formerly The Ideal Home Exhibition, has been around since 1908 and was originally devised by The Daily Mail Newspaper. Sponsored by Zoopla, its aim is to bring together all that is needed for you to have in an ideal home, like the latest inventions and new designs. It’s a place where exhibitors come together under one roof – an enormous roof! It will give you the opportunity to see the latest designs, even though some are luxurious.
Based at Kensington Olympia, London, the venue is where a variety of exhibitors demonstrate and display their products for purchase. Demonstrations include Arts and Crafts and products range from kitchens and cars to food, beer and wine. Most of them can be purchased at wholesale prices but are not yet released to the high street stores.
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show
Reasons for visiting
After deliberating for over a decade, I got a free invitation to visit the venue during the Easter Bank Holiday from two generous friends. But I wasn’t sure how to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show. Find out how:
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show Ground Floor
Getting there
Get the District Line train to Earls Court then change trains on the opposite platform to get the train that will take you to West Brompton station. Then get the Over ground train to Kensington Olympia, which is the only venue in London with a dedicated train station.
Lessons learnt
- Budget to take at least £1000 in cash, debit or credit card if you can afford to. Save ahead of the exhibition! However, upstairs on the first floor there are some lovely Art and Crafts displays that won’t cost £1000 and so you can pick up bargains.
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Goody Bag
- Remember to pick up your goody bag of sample products, like crisps, creams, Spaghetti Bolognese and more!
- Unusual products that haven’t yet hit the market but you will have the opportunity to pay a reduced price at the exhibition before the products are released into the market.
- Educative because the professionals and designers bring their products alive.
- Innovative – you will find new ideas to decorate your home.
Here are some of the many items and food sold there
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show Vintage mirror
- Vintage mirror
- Arthritis massager
- Essential oils (4 for £5) and crystals (3 for £4)
- Hog roast, Chinese, Burger and chips
- Beer tasting
- Strawberry Smoothie tasting by Vita-mix Blenders
- Soup tasting (Cashews, ginger and vegetables)
- Frappuccino tasting by Vita-mix Blenders
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show Vinyls
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show Vinyls transformed into Wall clocks
- Vinyl Records transformed into silent clocks
- Artist live drawing
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show
- decor
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show Okulan Sensitive Cleaner Spray
- Oculan Sensitive Lens cleaner Spray:
They were selling at 3 for £20. I realized that a couple of people only wanted to purchase one bottle like myself, so I teamed up with 2 other ladies who wanted the same product but also only needed one. So we split the bill and bought 1 each.
People to see
How to make a day out of the Ideal Home Show Food tasting with Aldo Zilli
Food presentations by Chef Aldo Zilli
The Ideal Home Show opens the eyes to new inventions and grand designs. Lunch prices were quite reasonable, but wear comfortable shoes and drink lots of water, as this trip is a whole day event. I say this because visiting the stands, talking to exhibitors and making decisions takes time and before you know it the day is over. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, you can get some inspirations on how to decorate your home. But you will leave with a couple of items plus you can get good deals.
Are you going? Have you previously visited? Let me know as you’ve got until Sunday 3rd of April to see the exhibitors.
I don’t go to Home Shows very often but when I do, I agree, there can be some great deals. This is a rhetorical questions but: how much DID you spend???
There were some good deals and some not that good as I thought some products were overpriced! A massager for joint care was selling for around £695 but will cost £1000 in the stores when the show ends. However, in spite of the rhetorical question, I must have spent less than £50!
The Ideal Home Show looks huge. I can see how you could make a day of it. . I’ve gone to home shows in my own city which were big enough, but nowhere near what the size of this one appears to be. It would be interesting to see new products not yet released to the retail stores.
The Ideal Home Show is huge. Having said this, I’ve just realised I hadn’t covered some the stands….Next time, maybe! Thanks for reading.
My advise would be to arrive early, bring cash and shop around !! The food stalls were amazing but it was a shame we did not attend on the day chef Greg Wallace had his food tasting.
Wise advise. I was also looking forward to seeing Chef, Greg Wallace but later realised he was scheduled to be there on a different day.
Hey Bola,
There is always a buzz about at the home shows. It’s busy, there’s crowds and you get to dream big with the grand designs and purchase small budget crafts. I’m in favor of that. You’re right when you say wear good walking shoes. You can actually feel like you have done a walking track after a day at the home show. I hope your creative juices were flowing with many ideas after being a show like this. I will pop into the next one we have in Brisbane.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
The buzz and crowds are what I also enjoyed at the Home show. Luckily it wasn’t too crowded but it’s suprising how thirsty you become by walking around. Let me know how it goes in Brisbaine. Thanks
I really did enjoy this day. It is a good idea to bring enough cash to shop and also to buy buy food. Moreover, do not wear too many layers because it gets very hot inside. Wear comfy shoes because there is a lot of walking. Overall, it was a fun day out with family and friends.
Pleased to know you had a great day out. Might even consider going again next year.