*the “Ideal Home Show”-Olympia-London W14 – and a brief past history

“THE IDEAL HOME SHOW-2025” – & a brief past history

I’m a little bit late in publishing this particular London Shoes article as the topic it relates to, actually ends today (Sun 6^th April) – but as it’s a subject matter that a lot of people will be familiar with – I wanted to cover-off the past history of what was (& still is, I  guess) a popular annual event on a lot of folks calendar…. “THE IDEAL HOME SHOW”.

The ‘Ideal Home Exhibition’ (as it was originally called) started way back in 1908 – it was the brainchild of the Daily Mail newspaper as a means to increase their advertising revenue. It also enabled them to run competitions in their paper involving future homes/designs/appliances etc – which their readers could enter, thus allowing the Mail to promote their Ideal Home Exhibition and so encourage a wider, increased readership.

The very first Ideal Home Exhibition was held at London’s 1886 constructed ‘Olympia’ exhibition centre – a venue the event remained at until 1978, when it moved to Earls Court – returning back to Olympia in 2015, where it has remained ever since (to date).

Back in 1908 when the very first Ideal Home Exhibition was held – life was very slowly and slightly beginning to change – for some anyway.

The first Ford motor car had rolled off the production lines in the US. Mass production of products/goods was in its infancy, but it was a process that would increase at speed, and very much change the way that people thought about/ looked at and paid for products – and consequently, their shopping habits and the way they lived their lives.

Outside of WW1, and particularly in the States, some of the population found that for the very first time – folk had a bit of disposable income in their pockets, which in the bigger scheme of things meant that people were now thinking about buying their own property, rather than renting….which was the norm for most.

For the first time – home ownership (for some) actually became a reality – and the Ideal Home Show became an event where companies could showcase ‘new’ homes along with all the trimming and gadgets that could potentially go with it.

By the 1930’s appliances like the vacuum cleaner – the electric kettle – the electric kettle plus many more similar examples – all made their debut and were promoted to the masses via events like the Ideal Home Exhibition.

Post WW2 the Ideal Home continued to become more and more popular – to the extent that records show over 1.5 million actually attended the 1957 show – where apparently the very first ‘fitted kitchen’ was exhibited.

The Royal Family were big lovers of the Ideal Home Exhibition – and her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a frequent visitor – as were the top celebs of film/stage/music in the 1960’s and 70’s – as it was good publicity for them, and any products they were being paid to endorse.

In the late 1960’s and in the 1970’s the Ideal Home began building mock villages – allowing architects/designers to promote their services and end products.

Because of the vast and still growing popularity of the Ideal Home Exhibition a larger venue was desperately needed and in 1978 the annual event moved to the iconic ‘Earls Court’ venue in London SW5 – where there was loads more space to accommodate all the companies etc that wanted to display their products/services – and more importantly, there was ample space to allow more punters – thus increasing income revenue.

As far back as the late 1980’s the Ideal Home was promoting a ‘Green’ lifestyle – especially with its kitchen ware and appliances.

In 2008 the ownership of the Ideal Home Exhibition changed hands from the Dail Mail, who had ‘owned’ it for 100 years – to the ‘Media 10’ organisation – and at that time, the title of the event changed from being the Ideal Home Exhibition and became the ‘Ideal Home Show’ – focusing more on kitchen gadgets/home appliances/furniture/textiles/cleaning products/interior & exterior lighting/garden implements/garden features.

In 2015 the Ideal Home Show moved back to its original venue at Olympia-London W14 – following a 37 year stay at Earls Court.

My London Shoes (accompanied by Mrs Shoes – ie Angela) has attended the last few Ideal Home Shows plus the Ideal Christmas Show’s that they now present at that time of year – and from a personal perspective, as someone who used to attend the Earls Court events quite regularly back in the late 70’s and early 80’s (before kids) – I feel there is a massive difference in the annual spectacle these days – than that of previous decades.

At the old Ideal Home Exhibition, especially when it was held at Earls Court – you’d be there for a big chunk of the day – you’d eat & drink in comfort – you’d watch all the demonstrations involving kitchen appliances or window cleaning kits and all manner of stuff like that – and you’d come away (completely knackered) with a bag full of brochures/leaflets and quite often some freebie bits and pieces.

Sadly – for me – the current ‘style’ of today’s shows at Olympia, is a completely different experience these days.

There’s very little you actually come away with – unless you’ve actually bought it. Very few leaflets and brochures available to take away with you and ponder over potential considerations purchases etc. The volume of stalls has reduced considerably – and the instances where you can ‘sample’ booze/food etc – which used to be great fun when circling the rum stalls 100 times, necking down ‘testers’ all day…….those type of scenarios are almost non-existent (especially noticeable this year).

There doesn’t seem to be much on display these days around ‘new’ innovative inventions for such things as household appliances etc. There seems to be far more focus on filling up the food hall for punters to grab something to eat – rather than showcases ‘new’ food products like cheeses and pies etc.

Loads of beauty products and stuff like that – rather than promoting homeware products – and loads of quirky pictures and paintings rather than classy home décor stuff.

The actual ‘show homes’ these days, come across to me as bland boring and unexceptional – nothing of note to entice and excite a punter to look and enquire further (in my opinion).

Some of the feedback/criticisms from visitors that I read whilst researching the history content of this blog – I think sum up the experience perfectly, especially for those – like me – who used to visit the show regularly back in the day:-*Its just like a market place selling shoddy

gear from a dodgy garden shed / *The show has shifted its products from home-related products to beauty related stuff / *The show lacks depth and quality / *What furniture is there – lacks quality and is vastly overpriced – with the upstairs being just one tacky market.

As I say – this is just some of the feedback/criticisms from paying punters – that has been posted on-line.

What I would say is – if you are interested in checking out massive hot-tubs – or getting a log cabin or different styles of furniture for your garden – then the Ideal Home Show would be a good starting point for ideas.

My London Shoes (& Mrs Shoes) can’t really complain – as we gain entry on ‘freebie’ day, where you can apply for a limited number of available tickets on-line, and completely free of charge…..and a day out and change of scenery is always good for the soul – but from a rose-tinted glasses perspective and sounding like an old person (which I am) – today’s Ideal Home experience is not like it was in the good ole days!!!  Anyway – hope you enjoyed this like Shoes article and hope the photos help bring the story to life a bit.

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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this Ideal Home Show article