Spring reno takeaways
Ottawa Home & Garden show flagged multi‑functional living rooms, sustainable materials, modular furniture and a push for energy‑efficient appliances and smart‑home integrations as core 2026 renovation priorities — homeowners want style + efficiency for long‑term value (ctvnews.ca). A Frederick, Maryland home show echoed the same appetite for practical upgrades and creative storage that boost comfort without huge budgets (fredericknewspost.com).
The 45th annual Ottawa Home & Garden Show ran March 19–22, 2026 at the EY Centre and featured more than 430 exhibitors on a show floor that organizers say draws over 30,000 visitors each year. (youtube.com)) Show manager Christopher Cigos singled out energy efficiency and solar roofing as headline trends at the Ottawa event, and Aberdeen Development Group president Ken Farquhar told CTV that rising travel and living costs are pushing Canadians to spend on home improvements instead of vacations. (youtube.com)) The Ottawa show was presented by RE/MAX and promoted by Expo Media Inc., occupying roughly 160,000 square feet of exhibit space with themed zones that included remodeling, landscaping and smart-home demonstrations. (eycentre.ca)) The Frederick Home & Garden Expo marked its 51st year on March 21–22, 2026 at the Frederick Fairgrounds and was organized by the Frederick County Building Industry Association with more than 150 exhibitors listed for the two-day event. (eventbrite.com)) Local coverage noted long-time attendees like Michael Peters saying he’s returned for decades for project ideas, while the Frederick expo’s program included DIY info sessions, student competitions (FCPS‑CTC) and family activities that organizers use to draw community traffic. (fredericknewspost.com))
