Behind the Scenes at The Inspired Home Show + A Chicago Adventure

Every March, Chicago becomes the center of the home and housewares world when The Inspired Home Show comes to town. This incredible event brings together retailers, manufacturers, media, and industry professionals. They are from all over the world to discover the newest products and trends for the home.

I was so excited to attend again this year. Now to take you behind the scenes at one of the largest home and housewares trade shows in the world. This event is that it’s not open to the public. So getting to experience it and share it with you ia such an honor.

From brand-new kitchen gadgets to innovative home products and emerging design trends, the show floor was packed with inspiration. Today I’m sharing a closer look at the event, some of my favorite moments. Then a few fun things to do if you ever find yourself visiting Chicago while the show is in town.

What Is The Inspired Home Show?

The Inspired Home Show is held each March, at McCormick Place, and attracts so many attendees from around the globe. Retail buyers, designers, media and brands gather for several days to showcase and explore the latest innovations in home and housewares.

The scale of the show is truly impressive :

Over 1,000 exhibitors
More than 2,000 unique brands
Around 300,000 products on display
Over 20,000 new product launches

It’s the largest housewares trade show in the Western Hemisphere and one of Chicago’s biggest events during the first quarter of the year.

Walking through the show floor feels like getting a glimpse into the future of what will soon be showing up in our homes.

My Favorite Highlights from the Show :

Discovering New Products

One of the most exciting parts of attending The Inspired Home Show is seeing new products before they ever reach stores. Many brands debut their newest innovations here first.

Some products are ready to launch soon, while others are still in the testing phase. Companies use the show to see how retailers and media respond before bringing them to market.

From smart kitchen tools to creative storage solutions and eco-friendly home goods, there were so many clever ideas and innovations everywhere you looked.

Hearing from Industry Experts

The show also hosts a variety of seminars and talks from industry leaders. These sessions dive into topics like design trends, sustainability, and the future of home products.

One of my favorite experiences was hearing from Pantone about their Color of the Year. Learning how the color was selected and the research behind it was fascinating and gave so much insight into how trends influence products across the home industry.

Then we had the Inspired Women in Housewares, Conversation & Cocktails with some amazing ladies – The VP Merchandising of Bed Bath & Beyond, VP of marketing Cook & Dine at Walmart, and the VP of Programming and Pricing from QVC/HSN it was so neat to hear their stories and all about ” HER”.

Meeting the Minds Behind the Brands

One really special moment was getting to meet the founder of Scrub Daddy. Hearing the story of how the product came to life and everything he went through to build the company was incredibly inspiring. We even got to see product demonstrations and some exciting new releases that are coming soon.

Live Product Demonstrations

Throughout the show there are live demonstrations where brands show their products in action. These hands-on experiences give attendees a chance to see how products really work and imagine how they could be used in everyday life.

I definitely discovered a few things I’m already adding to my future shopping list!

The Global Innovation Awards

Another highlight of the event is the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia Gala). These awards celebrate creativity and innovation across the home industry.

The awards recognize both retailers and product designers, highlighting some of the most exciting and forward-thinking creations showcased at the event.

Seeing these award-winning designs up close was such a fun part of the experience.

GIVE BACK :

There were many ways to give back – they had the Hinsdale Humane Society there for prebookings, the pups were adopatable and you could donate! It was so sweet and you can give back too!

The Housewares Charity foundation where they giveback to designated charities.

I loved being able to visit with some folks from Chicago Lighthouse – it is a premier organization in Chicago providing comprehensive services, including vision care, education, vocational training, and employment for the blind, visually impaired, and veterans, serving over 50,000 people annually. It was so neat to learn more and you can even purchase from them.

Exploring Chicago While Visiting The Show

While the Inspired Home Show is the main event, Chicago itself is an amazing city to explore if you’re visiting during the show. So if you needed another reason to come to The Inspired Home Show… adding Chicago to your list is a must!m

Here are a few places to visit if you are heading to the show :

Walk Along the Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is one of the most beautiful places to take a stroll and enjoy the city views. It’s lined with restaurants, cafes, and scenic spots to relax after a busy day at the show.

Try Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

You can’t visit Chicago without trying the famous deep dish pizza. It’s definitely a must-experience meal while you’re in the city.

Visit Millennium Park

Home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as “The Bean”), Millennium Park is a great place to walk around and take in some of Chicago’s most famous sights.

Explore Navy Pier

Navy Pier offers great views of Lake Michigan along with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. It’s especially beautiful in the evening.

Enjoy the Food Scene

Chicago is known for its incredible food, so it’s the perfect city to explore new restaurants and try different cuisines.

If you are looking for a place to stay we stayed at the Chicago Hilton and it was beautiful inside and out. I love how it was so easy to get to, and close to so many places to walk. They even have food inside – including the deep dish pizza!

Why The Inspired Home Show matters :

The Inspired Home Show is more than just a trade event, it’s where ideas are shared, trends are discovered, and the future of home products begins to take shape.

It’s inspiring to see so many creative people and brands working to design products that make our homes more functional, beautiful, and enjoyable. Being able to attend and share a glimpse of the experience with all of you was such a special opportunity.

Looking Ahead to Next Year :

The Inspired Home Show continues to grow each year, bringing together innovators and creators from across the home industry. If you love discovering new products, following home trends, or seeing what’s next for the spaces we live in, this is definitely an event worth watching. And if you ever find yourself in Chicago during the show, you’ll have plenty of amazing things to see both inside and outside the convention center.

See you next year – March 9-11 2027!