The Ideal Home Show - How to Navigate It by iSCO Designs
- Francis Lanuza
- Apr 14
- 4 min read
The Ideal Home Show in the RDS is just around the corner! From April 24–26 the air in Dublin is thick with renovation fever.
According to their official website:
Whether it’s creating a comfortable, cosy home, managing energy costs, exploring retrofit options, expertise on extensions and renovations, interior décor trends, furniture, new kitchens or bathroom designs, or the latest in home technology, it’s essential to get expert advice, see real life inspiration and choose the best suppliers for Your Ideal Home.
A trip to Ireland’s leading home improvement show at the RDS brings you the best products and services from hundreds of trusted suppliers — all under one roof.
It is easily one of the most exciting weekends for Irish homeowners and to-be renovators. However, as an interior designer, I know that while these shows are incredible for inspiration, they can also lead to a serious case of "choice paralysis."
Pro Tips to Keep In Mind
Set a Firm Budget: Determine your maximum spending limit and include a 15–20% contingency fund for unexpected costs. Always ask exhibitors if their show quotes include VAT and delivery.
Bring a "Project Pack": Carry printed floor plans, key measurements, and photos of your current space on your phone. This helps suppliers provide accurate advice and ensures your favourite finds will actually fit.
Dress for Endurance: Wear your most comfortable trainers to allow you to navigate the length and breadth of RDS Simmonscourt. Bring a sturdy tote bag or backpack
to carry the heavy catalogues and samples you’ll collect throughout the day. And also allow for coffee breaks throughout the day to allow your body and brain to recharge.
Prioritize Your "Must-Sees": Identify your key, biggest renovation pain points and visit the relevant exhibitors that addresses them first. I would strongly advise to visit their website to strategize on who to see first (https://idealhome.ie/). This prevents overwhelm and ensures you get the most important information before "exhibition fatigue" sets in.
Filtering the Inspiration from the Ideal Home Show
Walking through the RDS will be quite the adventure, but there is a big difference between a carefully curated exhibition booth and a living, breathing home. As a visitor, you may leave the show with a bag full of brochures but no clear vision of how to piece them together.
This is where a professional interior designer becomes your greatest asset. My role is to help you filter and edit the noise, ensuring that the "must-have" trends you'll see in the RDS actually translate into a functional and comfortable design that also, more importantly, reflects your unique personality.
The Final Ingredient: Soul
One thing you’ll notice as you wander through even the most high-end displays is that while the layouts are perfect, they can lack a certain "soul." A showroom or expo display is supposed to look that way - it is designed for everyone. A home, however, should be designed only for you.
I always tell my clients to find their "anchor piece" before they commit purchasing a large amount of furniture and furnishings. This anchor is usually a piece of furniture, or even wallpaper, that you would intuitively be drawn into and have a connection with. So notice that as you walk through the Ideal Home Show.
Or, you might find an artwork that could sets the emotional and creative tone of the room. On my website, I have curated a selection of my own art for sale specifically designed to act as that "guiding star" for your interior design. Whether it is a piece from the Natem series or those from Golden Flight, these works bring a sense of emotional depth that is an excellent for any space.
Art for Sale by iSCO Designs - Original Art
From the RDS to Your Front Door
If you are heading to the Ideal Home Show this year, I encourage you to look for the structural elements—the flooring, the cabinetry, the lighting. But when it comes to the heart of the home, look toward pieces that tell your story. It is your home after all, it should honour your personality
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the options or if you’ve returned home with a vision that you can’t quite execute, let’s collaborate. You can also browse my portfolio and my latest art for sale. Together, we can take that "Ideal Home" inspiration and turn it into a reality that feels less like a showroom and more like a true home of the soul. Your soul.
It is best to get tickets beforehand for the Ideal Home Show, so kindly go to:
I will be posting some of my favourite interior design ideas on my Pinterest Page (click here), so feel free to visit, Subscribe and save your favourite look for your own 2026 renovation vision board.
Plus, do subscribe to my channels and social media, so I can always keep you updated on really inspiring design ideas!
YouTube:
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Web:
I also have very interesting Designer Gifts on Etsy, do check them out:
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