BC Home + Garden Show: Feb 8–11, 2024

Ah, the first sign that spring is just around the corner – The BC Home + Garden Show 2024! This year it took place from February 8-11, 2024 at BC Place in Vancouver, BC. What better way to spend a cloudy and dreary day than inside surrounded by home and garden ideas galore?!

Nothing I like more than a packed floor ready for exploration!

As in past years, the BC Home + Garden Show was a combination of vendors, displays, and presentations. If you're looking for home renovation ideas, there's really no better place than these trade shows. I have to admit, for me it's more looking and less actually doing, but hey, maybe one day!

1. The Main Stage

The Main Stage's schedule was chock full of presenters, with some familiar faces and some whom I saw for the first time. Presenters included Scott McGillivray (pictured), best known as the star and award-winning executive producer of HGTV hit series' Income Property, Moving the McGillivrays, Buyers Bootcamp, and most recently, Scott's Vacation House Rules and Renovation Resort, Megan Golightly from Simplified Inc., and Ashley de Boer of Ashley de Boer Interior Design, who was featured on HGTV's Sarah's Mountain Escape.

2. The Cooking Stage

Hands up if you're a foodie like I am! This year's lineup of chefs on The Cooking Stage included Bruno Feldeisen, a judge on The Great Canadian Baking Show, and Dez Lo, who competed on season 10 of Top Chef Canada and finished as runner-up.

3. Vancouver Sun Gardeners' School

I caught the gardening bug several years ago so this was definitely the highlight for me! The Gardeners' School included presentations from Brian Minter, best-selling author and a recipient of the Order of Canada, and Erin Berkyto of The Knotty Garden.

I swore off growing anything edible ever since I saw a family of rats having a buffet in my vegetable garden, but I have to admit that Erin's presentation on Foodscaping, Planning and Designing an Edible Landscape has got me reconsidering!

4. Rustic Retreat Lounge

Featuring live music by Vicky Sjohall, the Rustic Retreat Lounge was an indoor picnic area, perfect for taking a short break from all the walking around. And of course, the bar really helped as well!

5. Recreational Living

Hewing Haus, a company located in British Columbia, Canada, specializes in small-scale vacation homes, and showcased a 700 sq ft unit that featured 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a full kitchen, a custom fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows, all crafted for sustainability and efficiency.

I don't know, they call it an ideal vacation home for a small family, but I would happily live in this full-time!

Yup, there was also a yurt! To be honest, I don't think I'll be able to sleep all that well knowing there's a big hole in the roof where critters can crawl through (I'm looking at you, Mr. Raccoon), but there's something so attractively rustic about staying in one. Maybe it's the freedom associated with a nomadic lifestyle?

6. Garden Retail Market

Ah, flowers make me happy! Presented by Art's Nursery Garden & Home, the Garden Retail Market featured a small, but mighty selection of plants, seeds, and garden accessories. Yup, spring is finally here soon!

7. Landscaping and Outdoor Living

In the Pacific Northwest, we're lucky to have fairly mild weather that lets us enjoy the outdoors for a longer period of time. Sometimes I forget that my outdoor space is just as important as my inside space. But against Mother Nature, keeping everything in pristine condition is definitely a challenge!

I love these beautiful landscapes. There's something so zen about the combination of pebbles and stepping stones, and the path leading up to the front door looks so inviting.

You can never go wrong with an outdoor fireplace! Perfect for late-night get-togethers with close friends.

I love all things whimsical and this little bridge and bench are absolutely adorable! A perfect way to show some personality.

8. Got Craft Spring Pop-Up Market

Stunning lamps and gourmet cookies were just some of the offerings on sale at the Got Craft Spring Pop-Up Market. Because most of the vendors were small business owners and local artisans, the market was a unique opportunity to find products that I haven't seen anywhere else.

Comparing cookies to hockey pucks? How very Canadian!

9. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Living

What I noticed this year was a greater emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly living. Making your home more energy-efficient may not be as fun or exciting as giving your home a new look, but it'll save you money in the long run. Make sure to check for any rebates or incentives from your local county or municipality.