If you own a home, or you're buying a home, remodeling a home, or just looking for ideas for your dream home, then you might want to head to the Chattanooga Convention Center this weekend.
The 49th annual Tri-State Home Show, sponsored by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Chattanooga, started Friday. With more than 500 booths featuring the latest products for the home both inside and out, association Executive Director Teresa Groves said the home show is one-stop shopping.
"Decks, sun rooms, kitchens, appliances, flooring -- there are as many products as one could need, all under one roof," Groves said.
If you go
* What: Tri-State Home Show * When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday * Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. * Admission: $7; age 16 and under free. $1 discount for anyone who brings a canned good for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
She said the home improvement side of the housing industry has been clawing its way back since the recession, particularly in the last three years.
"Homeowners are going to be remodeling more in 2015," Groves said. "People are wanting to do more to their homes, whether it's purchase a new one or remodel an existing one."
Two of the big trends this year, she said, are outdoor living areas which often incorporate kitchens, lighting and elaborate landscaping; and tiny homes, which typically have a footprint of 200 square feet.
Daniel Weathers, affiliated with a company called Little Digs, stood on the deck of a $35,000, 179-square-foot "tiny home" built from western red cedar. Weathers said the movable, cabin-like retreats, which sit atop double-axle trailers, have been gaining in popularity over the last few years.
"The tiny-home movement started up about five years ago, but with the success of HGTV shows like 'Tiny House Hunters' and 'Tiny House Builders' and people struggling with the economy trying to reduce debt or simply downsize, it's really grown," Weathers said.
Friday was Senior Day at the home show, so many of those in attendance were couples looking to do just what Weathers was talking about -- downsizing Bob and Mary Rawson of Cleveland, Tenn., just sold their home and are looking for a smaller fixer-upper.
"We come to the show every year," Mary Rawson said. "There are so many good ideas at this show."
Empty-nesters Mike and Judie Flynn of Ooltewah are also downsizing, and said they came to get ideas for remodeling their kitchen before they sell their home. Though harder to find, there were a few younger couples in the mix as well. Paul and Carrie Turcotte had their East Brainerd home on the market, but after deciding to keep it, they made a wish list of the improvements they wanted to make. They were looking to get ideas for a two-car garage they're looking to build, and maybe some general inspiration.
"If you come here, you don't have to envision things, you can see it," Paul Turcotte said. "This show makes projects tangible."
Contact staff writer Will Healey at whealey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.