Last week in Chicago, more than 2,000 housewares brands filled the sprawling halls of the Inspired Home Show with upwards of 300,000 products—an overwhelming, exciting snapshot of where the category is headed next. I spent days walking the floor, meeting with brands and cutting through the noise to identify the most compelling launches poised to define 2026.
We saw trends with tech-forward appliances, organization and titanium cookware at the 2026 Inspired Home Show.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Early signs point to existing trends holding strong, including ceramic cookware, retro-inspired appliances and muted, earth-toned colorways. But there was also clear growth in emerging categories, with an uptick in titanium cookware, glass-based air fryers and appliances with more expansive tech features.
Below, see the products that stood out to me most at the Inspired Home Show—including some that are already available to purchase—and what’s still to come later this year.
Titanium has exploded in the cookware market in recent years, showing up everywhere from trendy Our Place pans to Guy Fieri’s affordable cookware line, with promises of peak durability and coating-free nonstick qualities. Now, high-end cookware brand Viking is joining the trend, with its newly released PureGlide Pro line. I saw firsthand how effortlessly melted cheese released from the pan during an in-booth demo, leaving behind a clean slate. The presenter even used a steel pizza cutter to slice a quesadilla right in the pan, proving what the interior can withstand without deteriorating.
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Launch date: Available now
Korean appliance brand Cuckoo is no stranger to the ubiquitous rice cooker—or the fact that most of them can be pretty noisy. Its latest line of Silence models is designed to produce the same consistently fluffy results without the noise, thanks to the brand’s new system that releases pressure quietly. It also uses induction heating for fast, even cooking, and it’s compatible with the brand’s new stainless steel inner pots, reflecting consumers’ growing interest in durable, coating-free materials.
Launch date: Fall 2026
Baking tool brand Brod & Taylor is leaning into the seemingly never-ending sourdough craze, building on its existing lineup of bread-baking tools. The latest version of its popular appliance, the Sourdough Home Plus, includes several thoughtful upgrades, including a larger viewing window with an interior light for monitoring your starter as it rises, along with an accompanying app and analog dial for easily adjusting temperature settings.
Launch date: April 2026
Wilfa is a Norwegian kitchenware brand that’s growing in popularity stateside, known for its high-end appliances that lean heavily on innovative features and minimalist designs. Its latest stand mixer, the Probaker NXT, is powerful and innovative, designed to meet the needs of serious home bakers. The large-capacity bowl rotates in addition to the motor head, offering hands-off kneading with no dead zones. There’s also a built-in timer, hinged splash guard and included dough scraper for seamless baking.
Launch date: June 2026
Both steaming and ironing have their place when it comes to clothing and houseware upkeep, which is why Brabantia designed a product to streamline both tasks. The Steam & Ironing Board easily converts from a standard ironing board into an upright surface for steaming, ideal for small homes or anyone short on storage space. The solid surface for steaming makes it easier to smooth creases over, and the added feature of a heat-resistant zone means you can place your iron face-down without worrying about damage.
Launch date: Available for pre-order now
Air fryers and other countertop appliances with see-through glass containers were omnipresent on the IHS floor, but Magnifique dubs its Combo Air Fryer as the first-ever appliance that can both slow cook and air fry in the same glass container. It’s made from non-toxic materials, including a borosilicate glass pot and stainless steel accessories, with Oatmeal and Sage color options to choose from. There are several cook modes available, from MaxCrisp and Slow Cook to Proof, Oatmeal and more. Plus, users can enjoy cooking and serving in the same glass dish (which comes with a lid to lock heat in).
Launch date: Available now
Stylish organizers for the home are not going anywhere in 2026, and as a result, YouCopia has added several new space-saving solutions to its lineup. Among them are the MagicTrack Rectangular Turntable, which offers more surface area for large pantry items compared to round organizers, and it moves 360 degrees to help users access often-forgotten items in the back of their cabinets.
Launch date: Available now
The Liddy caught our eye as part of this year’s IHS Inventors’ Corner. Designed to replace an overwhelming pile of cookware lids in home cabinets, this storage solution consists of just two lids with ridged designs that fit up to six different pan sizes. Each set comes with detachable lid handles and a base station to keep all the pieces organized.
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Launch date: Available now
Cat owners know the importance of keeping their pets hydrated, despite how much of a struggle the task may be. This PawsPik ceramic cat water fountain is designed to offer a solution, thanks to its rechargeable battery that makes the model totally wireless, plus its motion sensor mode that saves energy and only turns on when your cat approaches it. The ceramic build is also heavier and more stable than plastic or steel counterparts, while offering hygienic, aesthetic and temperature-regulating benefits.
Launch date: Available now
Tech-forward appliances were front and center at this year’s show, and Livwell’s line of products is an excellent example. Among its line of smart kitchen appliances is the Touch IQ Toaster, which features a large, intuitive touchscreen for those who are extra picky about their bagels or sandwiches. The colored interface allows users to toggle between 10 different types of bread and six browning levels within each, plus they can monitor a live countdown so there’s no guessing while waiting for breakfast to be ready.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The home team at Forbes Vetted has evaluated and tested hundreds of home products, from bathroom and cleaning products to kitchen and dining items. All of our content is research-backed and expert-recommended, designed to help our readers navigate the overwhelming array of products in this sphere.
Monica Petrucci, the author of this piece, is the home and kitchen editor at Forbes Vetted. She has been testing home and kitchen products for the past five years, including the best coffee grinders and ceramic pans, and she prides herself on keeping up with the latest industry trends and product launches through research and brand relationships.
