The 125th The Inspired Home Show, formerly known as the International Home + Housewares Show, concluded last week after three action packed days at Chicago’s McCormick Place. While I have been attending this Show for many years, this year was special.
I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to be an Ambassador for The Inspired Home Show along with seven other Social Media Influencers from across the country. This was a role that I was thrilled to be a part of as someone who loves the houseware and home design industry. After all, this is how Inspiring Kitchen originated!
The Inspired Home Show Details
The International Housewares Association’s premier global home + housewares marketplace is the largest housewares show in the Western Hemisphere. With over 1,600 exhibitors, the 2025 Show featured more than 2,000 unique brands and more than 300,000 products. The Show brings together approximately 30,000 home and housewares professionals from more than 100 countries.
The Inspired Home Show connects buyer to seller, product to lifestyle, and the industry to the consumer mindset. The Show provides a sneak peek into what will be on store shelves in the year ahead. Plus, the opportunity to discover new housewares products and industry trends, meet face-to-face with executives from top retail and manufacturer brands, and gain the insights, leads and exposure to launch a successful year is what I find most exciting about attending this show.
Sunday evening was The IHA Global Innovation Award (gia) Gala where recognition for Product Design honors exhibitors’ latest creations and cutting-edge innovations. Awards were given out to five finalists in 14 categories. You will see mention of many in this post.
“IHA’s gia program recognizes the creativity that is so important to the home and housewares industry,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “Innovative new products that not only solve problems but also inspire and delight consumers will always be a key driver for growth.”
To make exploring the Show more organized, the North and South halls are broken down into five categories:
- Dine + Décor
- Travel Gear & Luggage
- Clean + Contain
- Wired + Well
- International Sourcing
In addition, three new categories (Travel Gear & Luggage Expo, Candle Pavilion and Pet Product Pavilion) have been added as well as a much larger display of emerging home and housewares companies and smaller new-to-the-Show exhibitors.
Show Insight and Education
Walking the Show opens your mind to all the creative people who have discovered a need for a product and made it happen. Scrub Daddy founder, Aaron Krause, is a perfect example. His popular brand is continuing to grow into categories from kitchen to outdoor grill to cleaning products. We had the opportunity to talk with him about his experience on Shark Tank and how his business has grown. Innovative, high energy and such a fun conversation.
There were multiple noteworthy anniversaries this year along with the 125th celebration for The Inspired Home Show.
Le Creuset enameled cast iron and ceramic cookware brand is 100 years old.
Japanese knife manufacturer, GLOBAL Cutlery, is 40 years old.
Scanpan non-stick cookware is 70 years old.
There were education seminars and sessions throughout the Show. We attended a panel discussion called Inspired Women in Housewares with Cat Cora, Gemma Stafford, Ally Love, and moderated by Karyn Schoenbart, founder of Conversation & Cocktails. Listening to their stories was enlightening and empowering. 
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting both Cat Cora and Gemma Stafford in the past and was thrilled to chat with them again.
Walking the Show: Favorite Finds
Back to the Show floor with a visit to Cuisinart to see their new Espresso Bar Collection – models EM640 and DGB30. Multiple machines depending on the customer’s need, each with a sustainable effort in the design.
Cuisinart also has a new soft serve ice cream maker coming out in July that can be used for slushes and other frozen beverages.
If you are looking for a dual zone air fryer, Cuisinart has you covered.
Want to make clean up easy after using your air fryer? Try this Oaklandware Collapsible Silicone Air Fryer Basket.
If you are like me and drink a lot of water, then you will appreciate these two brands that let you enjoy sparkling water made at home.
The first is a counter top, artistically designed fixture from Aarke Carbonators. Coming in various colors including stainless steel, you can make your own sparkling water at home with this sustainable and convenient machine.
Another sparkling water option is from Roam, a gia Award winner, that transforms plain flat water into deliciously refreshing sparkling water when you’re on the go. Choose from their selection of fruit essence flavors to enhance your water. I recommend the Orange.
Inventive and creative Umbra has so many home décor items that not only look good but have a purpose. Two jewelry options that caught my eye and one even won an award at the gia Gala.
Dachsie Ring Holder
Award winner: Wavy Jewelry Organizer
Elle Décor had a booth this year where they showcased how design, purpose and use aligns to elevate your home’s appearance.
If making waffles is a morning tradition, then you need to add this collection to your kitchen. Dash Multimaker waffle irons come adorned with Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Easter Bunny imprint to name just a few designs. Make breakfast entertaining by decorating the waffle image with your favorite toppings.
For any outdoor entertaining activities, ROVR, has created “The Best Cooler on Wheels”. Easy to pull on the beach and organized to carry all your beverage and food items. Plus, they won a gia Award!
Color is always something that I look for each year at the Show. In year’s past, there were a lot of vibrant colors on appliances, dinnerware and cookware. This year, I saw more neutral palettes like these NewIcon Pedal Bins from brabantia. Colors are Warm Brass, Warm Gold, Warm Bronze and Warm Copper.
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025 is Mocha Mousse. The color is a warming, brown hue diffused with richness. Think chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort. The Color of the Year expresses a global mood and an attitude, reflecting collective desire in the form of a single, distinct hue.
I have to share the super cute water bottle designs from Asobu Bestie Bottles. They are BPA free, food safe, vacuum insulated and have a lifetime warranty.
We had to get a picture of us in the ball pit!
Wine and barware expert, Riedel, has expanded their much-loved line of Grape@Riedel options. Whichever glasses you choose, you should know that Riedel meticulously crafts each glass for varietal precision whether for wine or mixology.
Riedel has also introduced their stunning hand-blown carafes with three different color choices in the handle – mint, black or clear.
If you do a lot of traveling and always worry that your suitcase is too heavy, then you need this Taylor luggage scale.
As a Brand Ambassador for Hestan Culinary, I was looking forward to hearing Chef Thomas Keller talk about restaurant insights, his cookware line and kitchen tips. It was also a fascinating conversation to learn from Hestan Culinary founder, Stanley Cheng, how the Nanobond series originated.
What a Show
I had the most incredible time at The Inspired Home Show this year. Thanks to IHA and Embello for bringing this group of ladies together to learn about new brands and products, celebrate milestone anniversaries, talk home design, recipes and cooking and have the opportunity to share all the trends, favorite finds and new items with you.
Until next year, The Inspired Home Show!
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