First of four digital portfolios for 2025/26 examines new era of at-home entertaining
ROSEMONT, IL (November 19, 2025) – The new era of at-home entertaining comes to life in the first edition of the annual HomePage News InSight Trend Index, a digital portfolio published today on HomePageNews.com, a service of the International Housewares Association (IHA). InSight – which is now entering its third year – sheds light on key lifestyle trends that will feed home and housewares demand in the coming year and beyond.
InSight explores both emerging and enduring trends, bringing products, data and expert perspectives together into a comprehensive quarterly report that delivers actionable trend guidance. Featured products are sourced from leading trade shows around the world and reflect the market and lifestyle cues shaping consumers’ home and housewares decisions.
“In its third year, InSight is more consumer-focused and takes a story-based approach to presenting new products across many categories and functions that embody key trends,” says Peter Giannetti, HomePage News editor-in-chief. “The new InSight also features a holistic approach to trend-affirming market data, integrating exclusive analysis from HomePage News and its parent, IHA.”
Readers will also find analysis from an expanded lineup of home and housewares industry experts, who offer a range of perspectives in retail, product design, color, social media, market data and consumer behavior.
New Era of At-Home Entertaining
The first portfolio – the Fall/Winter 2025/26 edition – explores the changing face of at-home entertaining and showcases key products that can inspire meaningful, memorable and shareable moments at home.
“The modern host isn’t chasing perfection; they’re creating spaces for connection,” according to the portfolio’s introduction. “We’re entering an era of intentional entertaining, where simplicity carries new style and meaning, while elevating the experience for both hosts and guests.”
InSight explores how the way consumers host, gather and connect is evolving – driven by four key aspirations that span generations:
- Quality over quantity – Where hosts focus on creating personal and meaningful experiences for smaller, carefully chosen groups of close friends and family.
- Authenticity and intention – Where the emphasis is on sincere engagement and sharing, rather than material displays.
- Shared experiences – Where guests are invited to participate in activities and conversations that build connection like collaborative cooking, creative projects or simply heartfelt dialogue.
- Genuine presence – Where the host is free to be present and enjoy the company of guests without having to perform or perfect.
“In this new mindset, hospitality is not about wowing guests with a flawless presentation, but creating an environment for sharing and interaction,” says InSight Trend Index chief curator and author Tom Mirabile, who also is founder of Springboard Futures. “Designing for mood, storytelling and experience is increasingly important, but so is the ‘sharing’ aspect. This new perspective sees hosting as an opportunity to genuinely share our space, time and attention.”
The comprehensive portfolio includes the importance of both ‘feel-good’ and functional elements to hosting; examples of trend-forward gatherings such as game nights; prevailing design styles including Postminimalism and Neo-Traditional; and a wealth of products that bring these trends and aspirations to life.
This Insight Trend Index is produced quarterly by HomePage News in partnership with consumer lifestyle trend analyst Tom Mirabile, along with his team at Springboard Futures, and creative director Dawn Evans. The complete Fall/Winter 2025/26 HomePage News InSight Trend Index can be found on HomePageNews.com.
-30-
The International Housewares Association (IHA) is the 87-year-old voice of the home and housewares industry, dedicated to bringing buyers and sellers together. IHA hosts its premier global exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, in Chicago every March. Each year, the Show brings together more than 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products with both global and domestic buyers; U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and over $64B in buying power. The not-for-profit, full-service Association also offers member companies a wide range of services including industry and government advocacy; export assistance; trend reports; executive management peer groups; group buying discounts; and an independent news and information platform, HomePageNews.com.
Follow IHA on LinkedIn and Facebook and The Inspired Home Show on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube.
