Home and interior design shows are known as great ways to learn about potential home improvement options.

That being said, if you have never been to a home shown before, the entire experience can be incredibly exhausting and overwhelming. That’s why it’s a smart idea to prepare yourself in a few important ways before you go.

If you’re heading to the Seattle Home Show, here are some great ways to make the most out of your visit.

Do some reading beforehand

Most shows that you will come across will offer guests a brochure that they can look through upon arrival. That being said, it never hurts to do a little bit of research in advance. Check out the show’s website and get an idea of what companies will be there in order to learn more about what you should be looking for when you finally arrive. On Top of helping you make a game plan for your visit; it also protects you from drifting around from salesperson to salesperson without any real goals in mind.

Make a list of things to look for

You already know that preparation is key, and there are more ways than one to make sure that you are making the most out of your visit to a home show. One of the best ways to prepare is to explicitly state what you are going there for. Are you looking for an architect? A contractor? Are you simply going there because you’re looking for home improvement and design ideas? Having a list of goals for your visit is a great way to make sure that you actually achieve your goals. Go figure!

Prepare for the long day ahead

No matter what kind of person you are, a home show is probably going to end up feeling like a pretty long day. Not only are you going to be walking around a lot and talking to a lot of people, you’re also going to have to deal with the huge crowds and long lines. While there is probably going to be some form of food court or concession stands available, it’s never a bad idea to pack your own snacks and water to make sure that you don’t get cranky along the way. This will also help you make sure that you’re keeping a sharp mind so that you can learn and retain all of the valuable information available to you.

Bring a bag

This might sound silly, but you’re going to want to be available to pick up and pack a lot of valuable reading material well you won’t be getting a big manual at every stall that you stop at it certainly doesn’t hurt to bring a nice tote bag or even a backpack so that you can carry around any information you do find in comfort for the entirety of the day.

Join in on the fun

Even if you’re a bit of an introvert, it certainly pays to get in on the conversations that are taking place at any home show. On Top of that, it never hurts to do a quick Google search to find out what companies will actually be present at the show. This will allow you to learn a little bit about companies that you might be interested in learning from. It might also tune you in to which companies installs will be offering free swag, free snacks, and maybe some fun and exciting raffles.