Revealed: 2024's must-visit home, interiors and build shows 

Home of the Year winner Jennifer Sheahan has visited all the events below over the years. She shares her recommendations

The Ideal Home Show takes place the RDS twice a year.

Inspiration is key when you’re renovating or redecorating your home, and while magazines and Pinterest are brilliant, nothing beats seeing something in person. I love going to interior design events, shows, exhibitions, and open evenings as often as I can, to get inspiration for clients and content.

Larger exhibitions are a great place to get information and ideas for your home — there will be experts and business representatives who will be happy to talk through your design plans and answer your questions.

You can also save lots of time by gathering samples and information in one afternoon, rather than spending multiple weekends traipsing from showroom to showroom.

There are often live demonstrations such as how to upcycle furniture or choose your colour palette. And at open house events there is plenty of inspiration to be taken from how people style their homes. The following are the main events that are open to the public happening in Ireland throughout 2024, all of which I have been to and recommend.

JANUARY

Selfbuild Extend and Renovate Live, Limerick

Hosted by selfbuild.ie, a fantastic website and magazine dedicated to equipping you through your home renovation, this event is a brilliant way to kick off 2024. There are experts and professionals, exhibitors, plenty of talks and panel discussions, and a dedicated advice area where you can get information on materials, pricing, DIY tips, and design ideas. It’s on in the UL Sports Arena on January 13 and 14 and tickets are free. Get them at live.selfbuild.ie.

My advice is to prepare as many questions as you can think of in advance and bring any plans, drawings, or ideas you have with you — you will find a wealth of advice here!

Pieces by interior designer Laura Rinke of Lala Living who exhibited at a previous Ideal Home Show. 

MARCH

Love Your Home, Belfast

Love Your Home is the biggest home expo in Northern Ireland and is packed with everything you need for your home renovation, remodel, or redecoration.

Tickets are available on loveyourhome.show and are usually £10, although they often release promo codes for free tickets, so keep an eye out. The event is on from March 22-24 in the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast. They have all the usual supplier stands, expert panels, and advice clinics available.

The booths at this event are typically beautifully designed and you can get heaps of inspiration on how to style your own home. It’s a huge event so it’s best to plan in advance — check the website to make a list of exhibitors you want to see and events you want to go to.

APRIL AND OCTOBER

Ideal Home Show, Dublin

The Ideal Home Show is Ireland’s biggest, and it happens twice a year in spring and autumn in the RDS. In 2024 the spring show will be on from April 26-28, and the autumn show from October 18-20.

If you are renovating or redecorating your house, or you just love interior design, then this one is unmissable. Here you find everything from paint suppliers to kitchen and bathroom installers, DIY experts to home office designers, and artists to upcyclers. There are also plenty of demonstrations for you to learn from, including talks from interior designers, architects, and home energy experts.

Tickets are typically €15. I would plan at least half a day here.

Fridays and Sunday mornings are usually the quietest but prepare for crowds. Check out the exhibitor and events schedule at idealhome.ie to plan your visit.

The Tolka Kitchen by Woodies at a previous Ideal Home Show.

MAY

Mallow Home and Garden Festival, Cork

This one has something for everyone — there is plenty to see in terms of interior design, but this festival has more of a focus on the outdoors. If you’re into gardening, outdoor furniture, BBQing, and landscaping, then you will find plenty of inspiration here. This event is full of seminars and demonstrations, so check out the schedule in advance to plan your visit. The show will be on in the Cork Racecourse in Mallow from May 24-26. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and are typically €20 for adults.

It’s a really fun day out with lots of food and entertainment available too.

OCTOBER

Open House Dublin

Open House is a “Festival of Architecture” — a fabulous exploration of Dublin’s buildings. There are talks and guided tours through some of Dublin’s architectural gems, including private homes that owners have opened up for public viewing.

Open House is not an exhibition with suppliers, but an educational event to help you gather ideas and learn more about architecture. It will be taking place on October 12-20, 2024, and it’s free, but sign up at openhousedublin.com in plenty of time as places fill up fast!