We're back from our visit to the Inspired Home Show in Chicago, and once again, it was an exciting deep dive into the future of housewares. This year, the show was buzzing with energy, creativity, and inspiring innovations that will undoubtedly shape the industry in the coming months. From bold pops of color to immersive brand experiences, we left feeling inspired and ready to bring fresh ideas into retail experiences.
Trend: Whimsy and Pops of Color
One of the standout themes at this year’s show was the playful use of color and oversized, whimsical design elements. Brands embraced fun, creativity, and bold hues to capture attention and create memorable moments.
Lifetime Brands Booth - S'well x Crayola Collection: Bright, eye-catching pops of color drew us in as S’well showcased its vibrant Crayola collaboration, blending nostalgia with functional design.
Oversized Props Stole the Show:
A gigantic Scrub Daddy made a splash, bringing smiles and reinforcing the brand’s fun personality.
Tramontina’s booth featured a giant knife and grilling spatula, emphasizing the brand’s expertise in kitchen tools with a bold visual statement.
Asobu’s Whimsical Approach: Their playful product designs stood out, and their brand activation included custom engraving, adding a personalized touch to their showcase.
Babish Cookware by Andrew Rea: A humorous photo of Andrew Rea gave us a chuckle and perfectly complemented the personality-driven branding of Babish cookware.
Notable Brand Experience & Design
A strong booth presence can make all the difference in creating a lasting impression, and several brands stood out with their thoughtful, immersive designs.
L’or: The elegant booth, complete with fabric awnings, created an elevated café experience that drew attendees in for a taste of luxury.
Pantone once again delivered an inspiring display, featuring carefully curated vignettes that showcased how 2025 Color of the Year “Mocha Mousse” can bring warmth and sophistication to homeware design.
Fissler: With a commanding booth presence and striking design, Fissler proved that strong branding and visual appeal are key to standing out in a crowded space.
Shoutouts to Standout Brands
We couldn’t leave the show without highlighting a few brands that truly impressed us with their innovative and engaging presentations:
True Brands: Elevating the beverage lifestyle category with stylish and functional accessories, their displays exuded sophistication and refinement.
Cirkul: This booth had some of the most engagement we saw at the show! Brand reps were actively educating guests on their products, creating a dynamic, interactive experience that inspired us for the future of retail.
Newell Brands: With an undeniable presence, Newell dominated the show, showcasing an impressive lineup of brands and product innovations that reinforced their leadership in the industry.
Final Thoughts
The Inspired Home Show 2025 delivered excitement, creativity, and forward-thinking design, reaffirming why we love attending. From the playful use of color to immersive brand experiences, this year’s show proved that engagement, storytelling, and bold design choices are shaping the future of housewares.
As retail and environmental design specialists, staying ahead of these trends allows us to bring fresh, impactful ideas to our clients. We’re excited to bring these insights into our work and continue pushing the boundaries of retail design.
Let’s create something amazing together—contact us today to learn more about how we can elevate your brand’s presence and make an impact at retail!