Our weekend at the Melbourne Home Show

We spent the weekend walking the Melbourne Home Show at MCEC, catching up with trade partners, meeting a few new suppliers and getting a proper look at what's trending in outdoor living heading into the warmer months.

Outdoor kitchens had a serious presence this year. Dark cabinetry, integrated fridges, proper lighting built into the bench, the kind of setup that turns a barbecue into an actual room. It's a good reminder that the outdoor space people want now is finished, not improvised.

Beyond fire and cooking, the show had beds, blinds, water filtration, dozens of businesses solving problems we don't touch at all. Our favourite find of the weekend wasn't even close to our category: a heated clothes airer. Simple idea, well executed, the kind of small everyday fix that's easy to overlook until you see it in person.

Shows like this are as much about the people as the products. Good conversations with suppliers we already work with, a few new ones worth following up, and a reminder of how many small operators are building genuinely good things in this space.

If you're planning your outdoor space before summer, come talk to us. We're always keen to talk fire, warmth and the pieces built to last.

Melbourne Home Show ran 21 to 23 August at MCEC. Details at homeshows.com.au.

Hayden Pearson

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About the author:
“I have a real passion for helping transform outdoor spaces so people can relax, connect and entertain with confidence and pride. With My Acre, I love guiding homeowners to create beautiful and functional outdoor living areas."