You can find almost anything for your home online. You can scroll through renovation inspiration, watch DIY videos, compare one chair from two different retailers, and spend hours reading contractor reviews. So you may ask, are home shows worth it anymore?
We think the best way to answer that question is, of course, to experience a Home Show for yourself. But before you do, this blog breaks down exactly what you can gain, learn, and experience at our next show, and why some things simply can't be replaced by researching and planning your home projects online.
This September, our Fort Lauderdale Home Show brings home design, renovation inspiration, industry professionals, live demonstrations, and familiar faces together in one room for one weekend. Instead of saving another photo to your Pinterest board, you can see and feel the products and finishes up close, talk to the people who know them best, and learn about the solutions you may need. The best part is that you can turn those ideas into an actual plan for your home.
And this show isn't just about shopping. From live luxury wallpaper installation to property tax advice and design insights from Emmy-winning TV personality Carson Kressley, plenty is happening on the exhibitor floor.
See Before You Buy
Online shopping has made home improvement more convenient, but some decisions are simply better made in person. Plus, avoid those dreadful returns, customer service conversations, and the mayhem that can follow if your items aren't as described.
What does that countertop actually feel like? Is that wallpaper as dramatic and colorful in person as it looked online? How does one impact window compare to another? And is that new flooring really going to work with the rest of your home?
One of the biggest challenges of home design is finding the right fit for your budget, expectations, and everyday needs. When you shop exclusively online, sometimes you don't discover the reality of a product until it arrives at your door, or worse, after it's already been installed. One of the biggest benefits of home shows is being able to see, touch, compare, and ask questions before making a major investment.
According to Statista, a significant share of homeowners still prefer to research home improvement products in person before purchasing — and for good reason. Seeing a product firsthand eliminates the guesswork that online-only shopping can't resolve.
If you're looking to save money on home improvement, that research matters. Saving isn't always about choosing the lowest price. Sometimes, it's about avoiding the wrong product, understanding exactly what you're paying for, and finding a better long-term solution for your home.
Meet the People Behind Your Next Home Project
A beautiful project is only part of a successful renovation. You also need the right people to help bring your vision to life. At our Fort Lauderdale Home Show, you can move beyond websites and online reviews and actually have a conversation with the professionals you will work with in person, making your decision from there. Bring your questions, explain what you're considering, and learn more about different products and approaches before deciding what makes sense for your home.
Maybe you've been dreaming about a new kitchen. Maybe the backyard is finally getting the turnaround. Or perhaps you're shopping for impact windows, doors, flooring, or decor. Whatever is next on your list, our home and design show gives you the space to explore your options in one place.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry notes that homeowners who consult directly with professionals before starting a project are significantly more likely to complete renovations on time and within budget — something worth keeping in mind before your next project begins.
See Luxury Wallpaper Installation Happen Live
Wallpaper has made its way back into luxury interiors in a big way, and this September you won't just see the finished product — you can watch the transformation happen.
On Friday, September 4 at 3:00 p.m., expert wallpaper installer Katie Hunt of Katie's Wallpaper Installation, as seen on HGTV, will present Wallpaper is the New Luxury: The Finishing Touch That Takes Design to the Next Level.
Katie returns Saturday, September 5 at 4:00 p.m. for Let's Explore Wallpaper: Take Your Home to the Next Level.
Both presentations feature a live luxury wallpaper installation on stage, giving attendees a closer look at how wallpaper can completely transform a space. If you've been considering wallpaper as an alternative to custom wall paneling, millwork, or another labor-intensive accent wall, this is your chance to see what's possible in person. Want to learn more about what makes luxury wallpaper different? Read our guide to why wallpaper is becoming the new luxury finish in home design.
Learn How to Potentially Save Money on Your Property Taxes
Saving money on your home doesn't end with renovation decisions. On Saturday, September 5 at 2:00 p.m., Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar takes the stage to discuss how homeowners may be able to save money on property taxes — and tackle another question homeowners may have heard about: is deed fraud real?
It's a different side of homeownership than choosing finishes or planning renovations, but an equally important one. Understanding your property, available tax-saving opportunities, and ways to protect one of your largest investments is knowledge every homeowner can benefit from.
Get Design Inspiration from Carson Kressley
And then there is a familiar face taking over the Home Show Design Stage. Emmy-winning television personality, style expert, and design star Carson Kressley will appear live on Saturday, September 5 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 6 at 3:00 p.m. Attendees can hear Carson talk design live, participate in a Q&A, and even have a chance to attend his meet-and-greet with fans.
If your home has been feeling a little uninspired, or you're simply looking for that push to try something new, this is your chance to hear fresh ideas and design perspective directly from someone who has made a career out of great style. Carson has been a fixture on shows including Queer Eye, RuPaul's Drag Race, and most recently The Masked Singer — and he brings the same energy and wit to the Home Design Stage.
Make a Day of It
If you're coming to the Fort Lauderdale Home Show this September, don't just walk the floor without a plan. Think about the projects you'd like to tackle over the next year and bring photos, measurements, inspiration, and questions with you. Explore the exhibitors, compare products, sit in on a presentation, watch a live demonstration, and leave some room in your schedule to discover something you weren't expecting.
Because sometimes the best home ideas aren't the ones you came looking for.
So, Are Home Shows Worth It?
If you're renovating, redecorating, buying a home, protecting the one you already own, or simply looking for what's next in home design, there's something different about experiencing it all in person.
There's a lot more waiting for you than another afternoon of scrolling for inspiration. Come see it, compare the finishes, ask questions of the professionals, and get inspired for yourself this September.
Get your tickets to the Fort Lauderdale Home Design and Remodeling Show →
Adam Kayce
Adam Kayce is the President and Director of the Home Design and Remodeling Show, Florida’s largest home expo series. With over a decade of experience in event production and home industry marketing, Adam leads the vision behind four annual shows across Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach. His mission is to connect homeowners with trusted design professionals, innovative products, and the latest home improvement trends.
