What's Hot in Home & Garden? Expo Has the Trends

Exhibitors at the are hoping that as homeowners are staying put in their homes, they want to improve them.

Attendance was strong as the show opened last weekend at the I-X Center. The show runs through Sunday.

"Turnout's been terrific, much better than normal," said Tom Brunner, president of . "Having good weather really helps."

There's lots to see at the show. Have you been yet? Share your photos, and impressions in the comments.

Here are some of the trends spotted.

Inside

People are wanting smaller homes, said Andy Simons of , which built the Idea Home at the show. But they aren't willing to give up efficiency or luxury.

Single-story living is becoming more popular as Baby Boomers age, and both Boomers and Generation X deal with aging parents and/or adult children boomeranging back into the nest.

The Idea Home layout, with the living area in the middle, the master bedroom on one side and the other bedrooms on the other, addresses those issues.

The master suite has become the retreat. Homeowners want big TVs and lots of closet space, Simons said.

John Hall of The Hall Design Group in Chagrin Falls said master baths remain a place where homeowners want luxury. Showers are becoming bigger and fancier.

"They want showers big enough for two, with benches, multiple jets, a shower head in the ceiling, and steam," Hall said. "And they're willing to give up having a bathtub in order to have the space for the shower they want."

Organization and storage are also big trends. From custom master closets to mudrooms where the kids can put their coats and bags when they get home from school to garage storage, people want a place for everything to make it easier to put everything in its place.

People also want to make their homes their entertainment spots. The Idea House's open kitchen, with its long breakfast bar and a separate bar area with wine fridge, point towards that trend.

Dom Pillin, a production coordinator for Hurst Design-Build-Remodeling said he's seeing the effects of the recession on kitchen design.

"People are more focused on budget than ever," he said.

It's the job of a good contractor to show them whats realistic in that budget and help them stick to it, Pillin said.

Clients are willing to sacrifice details like pretty hardware, custom drawers and shelving, Pillin said. But they want the best appliances they can afford, and features that fit their lifestyle like a potfiller at the stove or a bar area with a prep sink.

"They're spending the money on the important quality items," Pillin said.

One thing that hasn't changed? Countertops. People still want granite, Pillin said.

Hall said kitchen and bath design are trending away from heavy, darker looks.

"It's a more simple, relaxed elegance," he said. "People want simple woods without a lot of grain, and not a lot of busyness in their stone."

Outside

The good weather may also have people thinking spring, judging by the long lines at the showcase gardens. Avon's won for its garden.

Brunner and his son, Avon Landscaping general manager Matt Brunner, said people are interested in taking their yards to the next level.

"A lot of homes in Avon started with the basics: a concrete slab patio or a deck, a little landscaping," Tom Brunner said. "Now, they're ready to build on that."

Where people are showing interest is expanding their patios or rebuilding them with pavers, adding sprinkler systems, adding more plantings and installing water features.

What's really big is lighting, Matt Brunner said. Lighting in landscape beds allows the plantings to be shown off as well as providing security. Driveways and pathways are better illuminated. And it makes it more pleasant to sit out on summer nights.

"People want to be able to use their yards as much as possible," he said. Lights built into concrete or stone posts got attention from visitors to the Avon Landscaping booth.