As an alternative to land based living, step aboard the Optimum 60 floating apartment located in the central feature of this year's Daily Mail Ideal Home Show. This impressive 63ft long by 16ft wide, two-floored vessel offers over 1,100 sq ft of luxury living on the water.

This years show is built around an impressive expanse of water with a full scale working river weir linked by stone footbridges and a floating apartment.

The Waterspace houseboat

The Optimum 60 has been designed by architect Rogers Yacht Design of Lymington in Hampshire and provided by Waterspace Plc. Built of fibreglass, it comes complete with its own sundeck and air conditioning.

The houseboat provides 1,050 sq ft of useable office space or can be fitted out as a generously sized two or three bedroom apartment.

Both options feature spacious interiors including a double story reception atrium surrounded in glass. A hardwood staircase leads to the upper and lower levels with a spiral staircase up onto the 140 square foot roof terrace. The boats can be fitted out to client’s requirements with air conditioning, shower rooms, kitchens and bathrooms all available.

The show is well underway now having been opened in flamboyant style by Lawrence Lewellyn-Bowen wearing his most flamboyant suit last week. But the show continues until the 4th April so there's plenty of time to come along and see all the attractions, theatres demonstrations and hundreds of exhibitors.

The water theme continues throughout the show, with frozen waterfalls and spring showers featured in the four season's gardens, which were opened by celebrity gardener Kim Wilde.

The Daily Mail Ideal Home Show runs from 10 March to 4 April at Earls Court, London. For discounted tickets call ticket hotline 0870 606 6080 or visit www.idealhomeshow.co.uk