Whether your home improvement project is large -- you need to hire professionals -- or small -- you can do it yourself in an hour -- the Portland Spring Home & Garden Show is a good place to gather ideas, information and sources.
In the halls of the Portland Expo Center Feb. 22-25, you'll find home products and solutions to add more space; upgrade cabinets, counters, appliances and fixtures; and improve energy efficiency with new windows, doors, insulation and climate control systems, according to show producers with the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland.
Members of the Professional Remodelers Organization and landscapers and garden experts will be there to answer questions. There will also be display gardens and more than 300 local companies offering products and services.
Is this the year you create an inviting outdoor living space?
Mainstream Landscape Maintenance will showcase an outdoor bedroom amid a garden setting while Oregon State University students will build a low-impact urbanscape that includes edibles and attracts pollinators.
It's hard not to be inspired to try something new after wandering past vendor booths.
The Portland Orchid Society will show off rare orchids and nurseries will be selling ornamental and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, perennials, bulbs, grasses, ferns and other plants.
For those who want to stock up their bookshelves, the Northwest Independent Writers Association has scheduled dozens of local authors to be at the show.
-- Homes & Gardens of the Northwest staff
Before you go:
- Looking around for ideas is always fun. But if you're trying to solve a specific issue, think about it ahead of time.
- Write a list of your needs and wishes.
- Look at magazines and websites like Houzz for ideas.
- Collect pictures of homes or remodeling projects you like.
- Bring questions to ask the vendors and professional remodelers.
- The more clearly you can envision the project, the better prepared you'll be in making your decision, say show producers.
- For interior improvements, think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space.
- If your decision to remodel involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, talk to a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.
- To improve home efficiency, find a builder or remodeler who has experience with green home products, from water-saving faucets to energy-saving heating and cooling systems, and insulation.
- Figure out what you can afford. Decide on a budget to cover the cost of the remodel, furnishings, landscaping and unexpected expenses.
Tips to better enjoy home and garden shows
- Bring snacks to keep your strength up.
- A backpack or large bag can hold brochures, business cards and small items.
- Comfortable shoes will allow you to see more displays.
- Tote a camera or smart phone to record ideas you'd like to copy or follow up on.
The 71st Portland Home & Garden Show at the Expo, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, Friday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25.
Admission: $10 (kids age 12 and under free). A $2 off coupon for Thursday and Friday can be downloaded at www.homeshowpdx.com.
Expo parking: $8. Carpools of three or more are $7. Free parking after 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday is provided by show producer, the Home Builders Association.
For more information: 503-479-2660, homeandgardenshows@hbapdx.org,
www.HomeShowPDX.com
-- Janet Eastman
jeastman@oregonian.com
503-799-8739
@janeteastman