South Florida has no shortage of talented designers. However, the best way to meet them, see their work in person, and get expert advice for your home is at one event: the South Florida Home Design and Remodeling Show. In 2026, the show returns for its Labor Day weekend edition, running from September 4 to 7, 2026. It takes place at the Broward County Convention Center, located at 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This four-day event is the region’s largest home design expo. It brings together hundreds of exhibitors, award-winning interior designers, celebrity guests, and thousands of homeowners all under one roof. Whether you are planning a full renovation or simply looking for fresh ideas, the designers at this show offer expertise you will not find anywhere else in one place.
Event Overview: What to Expect at the Show
The South Florida Home Design and Remodeling Show has been running for more than 30 years. It covers every major category of home design and improvement across more than 150,000 square feet of exhibition space. The September 2026 edition runs across four days, from Friday through Monday, giving attendees plenty of time to explore at a comfortable pace.
| Event Detail | Information |
| Dates | September 4–7, 2026 |
| Day | Friday through Monday (Labor Day Weekend) |
| Venue | Broward County Convention Center |
| Address | 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 |
| Organizer | Home Show Management Corp. |
| Exhibition Space | 150,000+ square feet |
| Exhibitor Categories | Kitchens, Interiors, Smart Home, Pools, Roofing, Outdoor Living, Windows and Doors |
The show features live demos, celebrity guest appearances, expert design seminars, and the popular Live Culinary Experience. Additionally, a dedicated Designers Showcase gives interior professionals a dedicated space to display their signature styles and interact directly with visitors.
Why Interior Designers Come to This Show
The Fort Lauderdale Labor Day show is not just a consumer event. It is also one of the most important networking and business development events for interior design professionals in South Florida.
Show Director Adam Kayce has described the event as exhibitors’ largest single source of new business and industry networking in the region. Designers who participate interact with more potential clients in four days than most businesses see in an entire year. Therefore, the caliber of professionals who choose to exhibit here reflects the show’s reputation as the region’s number one sourcing event for home design and improvement.
Additionally, the show draws a motivated audience. Attendees come prepared with real projects in mind. They are homeowners ready to invest in their spaces, which means conversations between visitors and designers tend to be direct, productive, and meaningful.
Featured Designers and Industry Stars at the 2026 Show
The September 2026 edition of the show features Carson Kressley as its celebrity headliner. Carson is a television personality and design expert best known from Bravo TV’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and the interior design series Get a Room with Carson and Thom. He will appear live on the Home Design Stage, sharing current trends and offering his signature mix of personality and practical design wisdom.
Beyond the celebrity stage, the show’s Designers Showcase highlights the work of South Florida’s most recognized interior design talent. Based on the show’s established tradition of featuring top regional designers, the following profiles represent the caliber of professionals regularly connected to this event.
Alena Capra of Alena Capra Designs
Alena Capra is one of the most recognized interior designers in South Florida. Her Fort Lauderdale-based firm, Alena Capra Designs, has completed residential and commercial projects across South Florida, New York City, and Long Island over more than 20 years.
She holds credentials as a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and is a graduate of both the University of Miami and the Metropolitan Institute of Design. Her television work includes appearances on Lifetime, A&E, and FYI. She currently hosts the popular weekly design show SoFlo Home Project on WPLG, the ABC affiliate serving the Miami and Fort Lauderdale market.
At previous editions of the show, Alena presented the popular seminar Get the Designer Look for Less, drawing large crowds of homeowners eager to stretch their renovation budgets. Her approach blends professional expertise with practical advice, making her work accessible to homeowners at every budget level.
Her firm specializes in:
- Full-service turnkey interior design and renovation
- Kitchen and bathroom design
- Custom closet design and organization
- Individual room consultation and hourly design advisory
- Nationwide residential projects
Perla Lichi of Perla Lichi Design
Perla Lichi is a South Florida interior design institution. She launched her career in Fort Lauderdale more than 40 years ago as a solo practitioner. Today, her firm operates as a full-service luxury interior design studio headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida.
She holds a Florida State interior design license and has designed hundreds of residential and commercial projects both locally and internationally. Her portfolio spans every major design style, from contemporary minimalism to Mediterranean revival and classic European elegance.
Perla is also a published author. She has written six coffee table books on interior design, including Interior Design Inspirations from Cottages to Castles and the best-selling Palaces. These books are available through her firm’s website and serve as a testament to the depth of her knowledge and creative vision.
At past Home Design and Remodeling Show editions, Perla’s room vignettes were among the most photographed and discussed displays on the show floor. Visitors consistently praise her ability to create spaces that feel both grand and genuinely livable.
Her firm specializes in:
- Luxury whole-home design from concept through installation
- High-rise condominium and penthouse interiors
- Estate homes, townhomes, and new construction
- Custom furniture sourcing, art curation, and lighting design
- Color theory, art history consultation, and spatial planning
Nicole White of Nicole White Designs Interiors
Nicole White is a Fort Lauderdale-based interior designer and principal of Nicole White Designs Interiors. She is a familiar face at the Home Design and Remodeling Show circuit, having presented seminars and exhibited at multiple editions across both the Fort Lauderdale and Miami shows.
Her seminar Surviving the Renovation Process has been a consistent crowd-pleaser. It speaks directly to the anxiety homeowners feel when undertaking major remodeling projects and offers step-by-step guidance on managing timelines, contractors, and budgets without losing your sanity.
Her design work spans residential interiors across South Florida, with a particular strength in transitional and contemporary styles that suit the region’s coastal character. Nicole’s approachable communication style makes her a trusted resource for first-time renovators and experienced homeowners alike.
Martha Antonini: Featured Designer and Show Fixture
Martha Antonini is another respected name in the South Florida interior design community. She has appeared as a featured designer at multiple editions of the Fort Lauderdale show, and her room vignettes regularly draw attention for their refined, detail-focused aesthetic.
Martha’s work reflects a love of layered textures, rich color palettes, and custom furnishings tailored to each client’s lifestyle. Her presence at the Designers Showcase gives visitors a close-up look at her creative process and an opportunity to speak directly with her about their own projects.
What the Designers Showcase Offers Visitors
The Designers Showcase is one of the most valuable experiences available at the show. It gives attendees direct access to working interior professionals in an informal, low-pressure environment. Unlike a formal consultation, the showcase floor encourages browsing, asking questions, and gathering inspiration without obligation.
| Showcase Feature | What It Offers |
| Room Vignettes | Life-size styled spaces showing real design concepts |
| Live Presentations | Designer-led talks on trends, budgets, and renovation tips |
| One-on-One Conversations | Direct access to designers for personalized input |
| Product Demonstrations | Hands-on look at materials, finishes, and furnishings |
| CEU Sessions (Trade Day) | Continuing education credits for design professionals |
Additionally, Industry Day on Friday, September 4, offers interior designers, architects, and builders access to CEU-approved education sessions. These are approved by the NKBA, Natural Stone Institute, AIA, and ASID. Attendees can earn up to three CEUs in a single afternoon, making it highly valuable for licensed design professionals who need to meet continuing education requirements.
Key Design Trends to Watch at the September 2026 Show
The show floor gives visitors early exposure to the design directions gaining momentum across South Florida homes. Based on the categories represented at the show and the themes designers are currently exploring, these are the trends worth paying attention to in September 2026.
- Biophilic interiors using natural stone, live plants, and organic textures to bring the outdoors inside
- Coastal-modern kitchens featuring light cabinetry, quartz countertops, and open shelving
- Smart home integration built into interior design rather than added as an afterthought
- Sustainable and hurricane-resilient building materials that meet Florida’s updated code requirements
- Outdoor living spaces designed as true extensions of the interior, with full kitchens and covered lounge areas
These trends appear across the exhibitor floor and the designer seminars. Therefore, attending multiple sessions across the four days gives homeowners a comprehensive picture of where South Florida design is heading.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most from the Show
A little preparation goes a long way at an event this size. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit.
- Arrive on Friday if possible. Industry Day brings a more professional crowd and a calmer floor experience.
- Bring photos of your current space. Designers give more specific and useful advice when they can see what they are working with.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The exhibition floor spans over 150,000 square feet and encourages extensive walking.
- Pick up the show guide at the entrance to map your priorities before wandering the floor.
- Book tickets in advance. Walk-up tickets are available at ten dollars, but early online registration often offers discounted or complimentary entry.
Conclusion
The South Florida Home Design and Remodeling Show, running September 4 to 7, 2026, at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, is the region’s most comprehensive gathering of interior designers, home improvement brands, and design inspiration. Designers like Alena Capra, Perla Lichi, Nicole White, and Martha Antonini bring decades of South Florida expertise directly to the show floor. Carson Kressley brings celebrity energy and design insight to the main stage. The Designers Showcase, live seminars, and Industry Day CEU sessions make the event valuable for homeowners and design professionals alike. If you are planning a renovation, redecorating a room, or simply looking for what is next in South Florida home design, this is the event to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the South Florida Home Design and Remodeling Show in 2026?
The show runs from September 4 to 7, 2026, over Labor Day weekend at the Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316.
Who are the celebrity guests at the September 2026 show?
Carson Kressley, the television personality and design expert known from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Get a Room with Carson and Thom, is confirmed as the celebrity headliner for the September 2026 edition. He will appear live on the Home Design Stage.
Can interior design professionals attend for continuing education credits?
Yes. Industry Day on Friday, September 4 offers CEU-approved education sessions for interior designers, architects, and builders. Attendees can earn up to three CEUs in one afternoon through sessions approved by the NKBA, Natural Stone Institute, AIA, and ASID. Registration for trade credentials is required in advance.
How much does it cost to attend the show?
Walk-up tickets are available at the door for ten dollars. Online registration often provides discounted or complimentary entry options. Check the official website at homeshows.com for current pricing and registration details closer to the event date.
What types of exhibitors are at the show?
The show features hundreds of exhibitors covering every major category of home design and improvement, including kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor living, smart home technology, flooring, windows and doors, roofing, pools and spas, custom interiors, furniture, art, and landscaping.