Twenty-eight percent of consumers anticipate hosting more at-home gatherings in 2026, a four-point increase from 24 percent last year, according to the 2026 International Housewares Association‘s (IHA) At-Home Entertaining Survey released Feb. 23.
The survey illustrates how hosting at-home gatherings – whether to celebrate life moments or for no reason at all – continues to gain momentum, especially among younger generations. Fifty percent of respondents said they plan to host the same amount of gatherings, while 19 percent thought it would be less.
The continued uptick in at-home entertaining will be on full display at The Inspired Home Show, set for March 10-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
From small appliances to cookware, kitchen tools to serveware, products designed for entertaining at home will be just one of the categories drawing attention at the largest global home and housewares marketplace in the Western Hemisphere.
Younger generations lead momentum
Gen Z leads the trend, with 47 percent planning to host more at-home gatherings, while Millennials follow at 39 percent. Gen X’s at-home entertaining intent declined by four points, while Boomers’ remained stable.
At 51 percent, the desire to spend more time with friends and family tops the list of motivations. Having a specific event to celebrate also is a factor, at 37 percent.
Saving money came in third, , at 31 percent, as entertaining at home tends to be less expensive than holding an event at a restaurant or other public venue.
Clean-up tops hosting challenges
Clean-up is the biggest challenge for at-home hosts, at 31 percent, followed by preparing everything at the same time (22 percent), cooking (15 percent), planning (9 percent) and keeping food warm (7 percent).
Half of consumers say they occasionally purchase products to create a certain aesthetic. Twenty-three percent said they usually do so, 15 percent said always and just 10 percent said never.
When asked what would inspire them to host more at-home gatherings, budget-friendly party ideas topped the list (46 percent). Recipes were nearly as popular (45 percent), with party-specific theme ideas (32 percent) and general entertaining tips (30 percent) coming in next.
Industry showcase in Chicago
The Inspired Home Show will bring together more than 1,000 exhibitors and some 2,000 brands with top retailers to reveal what’s next for the home.
While not open to the public, the show offers media and the industry a first look at products, innovations, trends and stories that will shape store shelves, e-commerce and everyday life.
Key exhibitors include Brabantia, CUCKOO, Gibson Homewares (Calphalon, Martha Stewart, Sur la Table), Gleener, Heston Culinary, IMUSA, Jura, Kitchen Supply, Kuhn Rikon, Lifetime Brands, Lodge Cast Iron, Made In Cookware, Nordic Ware, Peugeot, Picnic Time, Riedel Crystal, Salton, tag, Trinity International Industries, Storebound (Dash), Umbra and Westinghouse.
Major retailers include Aldi, Amazon, Best Buy, Big Lots, Costco, Burlington Coat Factory, Crate & Barrel, Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Meijer, Nordstrom, QVC, Sur la Table, Walgreens, Walmart, Wayfair and Williams Sonoma, plus mid-size and independent specialty retailers from around the world.
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