Sneak Preview of The Seattle Home Show

We’re fortunate to be able to see the latest trends in housing all under one roof, here in Seattle this week. The Seattle Home Show 2013 is a “one stop” place to see what’s trending for Northwest homes and how you can transform yours with new indoor, outdoor, “green,” and techno-friendly features. It takes place Saturday through February 24 at the CenturyLink Field Event Center. Show hours are Saturdays, 10am to 8pm; Sundays 10am to 6pm; and Monday through Friday, noon to 8pm. Admission is $12 adults, $8 seniors (60+), and $3 juniors (7-15). E-tickets are available for purchase online at www.SeattleHomeShow.com and include free parking.

The Seattle Home Show is the oldest and largest home show in the country, and will feature 510 vendors, up from 480 last year. Highlights include an 11,000-square-foot display on outdoor living; Dr. Lori of Discovery Channel’s “Auction Kings” who will give free appraisals of art and antiques; and “Meet the Experts” home improvement seminars. There will also be a 7,000-square-foot rambler that you can tour, the first large model house featured at the show since 2007.

Here's a sneak preview of some of the top trends for 2013 to be featured at the show:

• Opening up of interior spaces, especially removing walls between kitchen and dining rooms or kitchen and living rooms

• Combined living/dining/kitchen area and the disappearance of formal dining and living rooms

• The “lifestyle room” for multi-purpose uses by the family, rather than the traditional den

• Traditional tubs, rather than jetted tubs

• More sleek contemporary kitchens

• Sleek surfaces for doors featuring simple lines and without detail

• LED lighting

• Remodeling for income, such as a mother-in-law apartment or backyard cottage

• Remodeling for multi-generational living, such as aging parents

• Covered outdoor rooms for year round enjoyment

• Low-maintenance landscaping

A show bonus this year is its “Too much to see – come back for free™” program that lets you register to return a second show day for free. The Seattle Home Show is sponsored by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties and The Seattle Times.