Kevin McCloud opens all-new Grand Designs Live Birmingham with at-home hotline

To kick things off, Kevin McCloud has launched the ‘McCalming Renovation Hotline’, a first-of-its-kind initiative with the man himself, after research found that 94% of Brits find home renovations stressful.

Ahead of the show’s opening, callers have been able to dial 0333 051 0044 to hear Kevin offering practical tips, soothing words of reassurance, and there are even rumours of a tune or two to calm the nerves of stressed-out renovators. Visitors to the show can also step into a dedicated pink phonebooth on-site to try the hotline themselves.

Designed to help homeowners cope with the challenges of self-builds, budget overruns and partner disagreements, the hotline reflects the show’s mission to support every stage of the renovation journey, in a way that only Kevin knows.

Now, as the doors open at the NEC, visitors can immerse themselves in three days of design, innovation and inspiration. Whether starting from scratch, modernising a single room, or simply seeking new ideas, it promises to be the essential home and lifestyle event for home renovators.

For the first time, Grand Designs Live Birmingham will feature five tailored hubs, each focusing on a core element of home design and renovation:

· The Home & Garden Hub – sponsored by Quiet Mark, in partnership with the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers (SGLD), offering planting plans, garden layouts, and expert landscaping ideas

· The Build & Renovation Hub - for structural planning, project management and construction advice

· The Sustainability Hub – sponsored by Vaillant, with practical, affordable eco-solutions for every household

· The Kitchen Hub – sponsored by Howdens, showcasing the latest trends and layout tips for the heart of the home

· The Architecture Advice Centre – in partnership with RIBA, offering free one-to-one consultations with accredited architects

The Grand House also returns as the centrepiece of the exhibition. A stunning, full-scale home built right inside the NEC, designed to demonstrate real-world solutions to modern living. Every room is fully styled and fitted with products visitors can buy directly at the show.

This year’s contributors include:

· Birkdale Kitchens, presenting a stunning Leicht kitchen

· Smeg, supplying a suite of stylish kitchen appliances

· BLANCO, showcasing a state-of-the-art water conditioning system

· Uplifts from Stannah, demonstrating an elegant, fully integrated home lift

· UK Flooring Direct, supplying flooring throughout the home

· teratherm Energy, debuting their groundbreaking resin-bound energy system, enabling sustainable heating via surface-integrated technology

· Feather & Black, presenting their timeless Sienna range of furnishings

· Sunny Bedrooms & Kitchens, with a stunning bespoke media wall

· PERGOLUX, supplying a robust and stylish outdoor pergola

At the heart of Grand Designs Live is sustainability. Visitors will discover the latest in eco-conscious building, low-impact materials, renewable energy solutions and practical lifestyle changes, designed to make green living achievable for everyone.

Across the weekend, Kevin McCloud will be joined by expert voices, including Ayisha Onuorah, Max McMurdo, Briony Ace, Kate Sandhu and Kunle Barker, who will share their expertise through panels, live talks and Q&As. Topics include:

· The housing challenge and developer solutions: how collaboration, innovation, and new training models are breaking down industry barriers and how purpose-led development can help solve the UK’s ongoing housing crisis.

· Where style and space collide and fashion meets interior design: how colour, layering, and material choices can transform a room and why thinking like a stylist might be the key to truly personal, impactful spaces.

· Curating a calm bedroom sanctuary: how to create a peaceful, personal bedroom space for you; a protected oasis away from the demands of daily life.

· Designing kitchens that work – with style, function and innovation: exploring how a well-designed kitchen should balance practicality with beauty.

· Sustainable solutions that won’t break the bank: discover affordable ways to make your build greener, whether it’s choosing low-impact materials, improving insulation, or upgrading your heating system.

· Meet the Grand Designers: step inside the world of ambitious builds and bold dreams as contributors from the latest TV series take to the stage to reveal the highs, lows, and jaw-dropping moments behind their extraordinary projects

Also debuting this year is the Emerging Brands area, dedicated to showcasing early-stage companies and innovative new products. This vibrant platform gives bold new talent a chance to connect with design enthusiasts, demonstrate their creativity, and make their mark on the future of home design.

Richard Morey, show director for Grand Designs Live, said, “Opening the doors to Grand Designs Live at the NEC is always a special moment, as it brings together thousands of people who share a passion for building, renovating and reimagining their homes.

“This year sees an all-new, reimagined Grand Designs Live, with 5 dedicated Hubs, more free advice, and a completely new layout. Plus, we wanted to offer something extra to support homeowners through the unique challenges of renovation, and Kevin McCloud’s ‘McCalming Renovation Hotline’ does exactly that. It’s a first for the show and a perfect example of how Grand Designs Live continues to inspire, inform and reassure visitors as they take on their own projects, however big or small.”