New Decade Ushers in Minimalism, Maximalism Trends for Housewares Products

As Americans enter a new decade, both the minimalism lifestyle trend and a newer maximalism one will be shaping their vision for the latest in housewares design, style and products.

For many consumers, 2020 is the year they will merge the past with the present and create their own personal design style. Products highlighting these and other top trends will be on display at The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market, March 14-17 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Full Steam Ahead for Minimalism

According to Architectural Digest’s Top Design Trends of 2020, the idea of home-as-sanctuary will be stronger than ever, translating as a calm, pared-back, warm minimalism. “It’s all about materials with sustainability in mind—natural wood, recycled textiles, undyed yarns and plush soft fabrics, along with warm terra-cotta earthenware for table accessories,” the report states.

Minimalism, which focuses on streamlined, clean design with a neutral color palette, will continue to be prevalent in the new decade. However, today’s consumers are updating this concept in 2020 by adding their own personal touches, such as infusing pockets of color into the traditionally neutral color palette.

Two key trends and demographic changes may be fueling the minimalism trend, according to Joe Derochowski, home industry advisor for The NPD Group. One is smaller household spaces and the other is an increased interest in sustainability.

The sustainability movement will take center stage at The Inspired Home Show’s Trending Today event, a pre-Show display that will feature 60 exhibitors with products and processes with social and environmental responsibility. This event is held on Saturday, March 14 before the Show opens.

The art of “wabi-sabi,” a Japanese philosophy that embraces the beauty of imperfection, is a design trend that embraces the minimalism trend. “In the context of interior design and decor, a wabi-sabi home is one that embraces authenticity, finds value in the lovingly weathered and lived-in, and promotes an overall sense of peace and tranquility using simplicity,” according to an article on The Spruce, a home site offering practical, real-life tips and inspiration.

On the heels of previous trends Hygge, a Danish concept that encompasses the feeling of cozy contentment, and Lagom, a Swedish lifestyle trend defined as “everything in moderation,” comes Niksen, the newest lifestyle trend fueling a minimalism mindset. Essentially the art of doing nothing, this Dutch concept is about carving out time to “just be,” to let the mind wander for a few minutes. Americans seem to be embracing Niksen as many have created designated areas in their homes, dubbed by one industry expert as “Zen Dens,” which help consumers recharge and focus on expanding their own self-awareness.

Housewares products that offer timesaving, multi-functionality or convenience are well positioned to appeal to those consumers looking to eliminate burnout and the pressures of everyday life.

Maximalism Roars Into The Twenties

In contrast to minimalism, some consumers will be roaring into the 2020s as they combine Art Deco style and flashy colors as part of the maximalism lifestyle trend. This trend, often defined as “more is more,” appeals to those consumers who dare to do everything. Maximalism combines bold colors and retro style by mixing opulence with functional and contemporary silhouettes. Often, consumers use gold accents to twist traditional design into something more elaborate.

According to The Spruce, maximalism is a loud style composed of mixed patterns, excessive, but curated collections, and saturated colors: “Its strongly opposed counterpart minimalism encourages paring everything down to its bare minimum, but maximalism encourages utilizing your space in the boldest way possible.”

The Spruce identified the following key characteristics for a maximalist space: layering; repetitive patterns in prints such as florals, abstract and animal prints; rich, bold colors; unique statement pieces; mixing and matching of textures and colors; multiples of items like books, statues, artworks; and blending of styles—oftentimes but not limited to classic, eclectic and boho.

Architectural Digest forecasts the bold colors and clean-cut lines of modernism will also dominate interiors in 2020. The magazine forecasts an updated take on the angular geometrics, cutouts and patterns of Art Deco—one expert described it as “neo-Deco”—for fresh, sophisticated interiors.

Calming Blues for the New Decade

Color is often one of the easiest ways for consumers to update and refresh their homes. “Classic Blue,” Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2020, is designed to instill calm, confidence and connection. Pantone states the hue, which is suggestive of the sky at dusk, “highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

Sherwin Williams has also chosen a blue hue as its color of the year. The company states its color “Naval” empowers a year of change focused on wellness of mind, body and soul.

Two other paint companies – Benjamin Moore and Behr – are both relying on nature for their 2020 Colors of the Year. Benjamin Moore selected “First Light,” a rosy pink, “to represent a new dawn of idealism, design and living,” and Behr’s “Back to Nature” is a light green color described as calm, gracious and balanced.

Healthy Living Continues Its Popularity

Americans are continuing to focus on a healthier lifestyle, especially on mindfulness, according to NPD’s Derochowski. Products such as air purifiers, which allow consumers to maintain a healthier home, are on the rise as well as products that let consumers prepare healthier meals, including air fryers, single-serve blenders, juice extractors and citrus juicers.

The NPD Group’s annual Eating Patterns in America reports that total visits to restaurants have declined more than 700 million visits since 2014, and one in five adults try to manage a health condition with their food and beverage choices.

While it is commonly understood that good nutrition promotes general health, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their food and beverage choices can help them manage and, in some cases, reverse certain medical conditions, reports NPD. Young adults ages 18-24 are particularly interested in using foods to improve their health.

According to Innova Market Insights’ Top 10 Trends for 2020, “stress and anxiety are key concerns in modern life as consumers manage careers, families and social lives while striving to maintain healthy lifestyles, both physically and mentally……This, in turn, raises the demand for nutritious foods that are easy to prepare, convenient and portable.”

One of the newest product lines for 2020 is the Zoku Neat Stack food storage containers, which offer a new design for taking meals or snacks to work, school or on the road. The Neat Stack Freezer Pack is a reusable ice pack that can be stored in the freezer and then either snaps under the lids or nests on top of the lid to help cold food stay chilled and fresh.

Another food trend focused on health and wellness, plant-based proteins are becoming extremely popular as consumers search for more holistic products that provide a “clean” label.

“Plant-based innovation in food and beverages continues to flourish as a result of consumer interest in health, sustainability and ethics, which ties into the broader consumer lifestyle trend towards cleaner living,” according to Innova Market Insights.

New for this year, the Betty Bossi Veggie Sheet Slicer transforms zucchinis, potatoes, beets and more into paper-thin sheets, with minimal effort. Designed to make it easy to reinterpret classic daily dishes into low-carb entrees or crunchy colorful chips, it comes with recipes.

Even alcoholic drinks have become healthier as mainstream “mocktails” are taking center stage with the rise of zero-proof drinks. Whole Foods Market reports many of these beverages seek to re-create classic cocktail flavors using distilling methods typically reserved for alcohol, creating an alternative to liquor meant to be used with a mixer rather than a drink on its own.

Sustainable Foods on the Rise

Sustainability is also top of mind as consumers seek out food that comes from agricultural operations that support regenerative agriculture. These consumers are seeking more transparency, honesty and authenticity from the companies that produce the food they are purchasing.

Innova Market Insights reported the number of global consumers who expect companies to invest in sustainability increased from 65% in 2018 to 87% in 2019. About half of consumers are willing to pay extra for products devoted to solving sustainability issues, the company found.

“Nine percent of adults consider the environment as a top factor when making food and beverage purchase decisions, and it’s young adults, ages 18-44-years-old, who are most likely to feel this way,” finds The NPD Group.

According to an article on Insider.com, there will be an increased interest in “locavore” eating in 2020. This trend focuses on eating foods that are made with locally grown ingredients or sourced from local farms.

With the popularity of alternative milks, both Chef’n and Typhoon Homewares have introduced nut milk makers so users can make them fresh at home. Their respective paroducts include a reusable filter and glass carafe, creating the perfect kit for making and storing alternative milks.

Kids Eating Healthier and Becoming More Adventurous

In addition, children’s menus are becoming healthier. According to Insider.com, children’s menus will allow kids to explore new flavors.

“Judging from the number of kids’ cooking and baking competitions on TV, kids are kitchen-savvier than ever,” according to Whole Foods Market’s Top 10 Trends for 2020. “By 2026, 80% of Millennials will have children, and many parents are introducing their kids to more adventurous foods – with great results.”

Several housewares companies are introducing products that make it easier to prepare healthier snacks for the family. The Chef’n QuickQuad quickly and safely quarters carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, grapes, strawberries and more for afternoon snacks, lunches and veggie platters.

Smart Home Market Remains Strong

According to Zion Market Research, the global smart home market was capitalized at almost $24.1 billion in 2016 and is likely to reach $53.45 billion by the end of 2022.

Nearly 40 million Americans currently use a smart speaker in their homes, according to nextGYN.com. Some other popular smart appliances are kitchen products that help with cooking and smart clocks that help you sleep better and wake up feeling more rested.

The Inspired Home Show will provide retailers with the latest in the smart home movement. The Smart Home Pavilion features more than 30 exhibitors of smart home brands and connected products. A new display, Smart Retailing, will provide live, interactive experiences offering the retail store of the future, and b8ta returns with the latest technology products for the home as well as insights on its “Retail as a Service” concept that allows consumers to try out products in-store, while any sales are made online.

These trends forecast steady growth for the housewares industry and its 2,200 exhibitors and thousands of retailers who will attend The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market. For more information on the Show, exhibitors and products, visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com.

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