The event returned to London for its 106th year.
The Ideal Home Show, the award-winning event which gives visitors a chance to get discounts and free consultations, returned to London this weekend for its 106th year.
Located in Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre, seven ‘ideal ‘areas exhibited both household brands and start-up companies, helping people transform every house into a dream home.
Celebrity experts took to the stage, giving tips and tricks on home improvements and maximising small spaces. Tommy Walsh, from BBC’s Ground Force, gave a presentation on the right way to plaster a wall and how to achieve a professional finish.
Samantha Poole, 42, a homemaker from Islington, was one visitor impressed with what she saw.
“I’m enjoying it so far, I’ve bought a few bits and bobs for my house. There’s so much to see, it’s going to take all day,” she said.
One item attracting a lot of attention was the Lexus Hybrid CT 200h Advance, on display priced at almost £24,000.
Event Manager of Lexus, Michelle Elkbas, said the event allowed people to get to know a product so they could make an informed decision about purchasing.
“People are really interested [in this vehicle]. We’ve had such a fantastic response, it’s nice to speak and engage with a lot of customers about the brand,” she said.
Up and coming products were also on show to the public, some of them for the first time.
Company Aepe designs flat-pack foam chairs for children. They have so far received a positive interest from the public, despite only launching 10 days ago.
Co-founder Jacob Akinyinka said: “We’re hoping to interest nurseries and playschools. The family love it. What we want to do is establish the brand and let other major companies reach out to us.”
The chairs are non-toxic, made from Advanced Expanded Polyethylene. They are waterproof, save space and engage young children to put the chair together.
Another innovative company is Floots, which designs cost-effective furniture made from cardboard. The company launched in January and has provided a temporary solution for students who need furniture without the price tag.
Director of Floots, Nick Canty, said: “Our buyers attract students and parents of students. They like the fact that kids can doodle on it.” Floots wardrobes can hold weight of up to 20 kilos making it sturdy and solid, and is sent flat-pack for buyers to assemble themselves. As it is cardboard, it lasts only seven times of using it again before it loses its strength.
Many companies were looking towards the future and finding ways to reduce cost and pollution.
Solar Fusion, a company specialising in installing solar panels, promotes a cheaper way of living.
“Having solar panels means that you are your own energy providers. If you don’t use all the energy you generated, you can sell it onto energy companies,” said spokeswoman, Magdalena Zatkova. “You don’t have to pay anybody.”
Fitting the panels is estimated at £7000, depending on the type of house.
For anyone with tired feet, Ideal Woman had hotspots around the venue to unwind and relax, including cocktail bars and spa treatments. Bustling cafés were also found amongst the stalls, with live band The Jive Aces, playing throughout the day.
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