For years Americans have been eating out more and more. With the current economic downturn, Americans are re-thinking how they spend their money as they look for ways to reduce expenses. One significant change we're seeing is as a country, Americans are spending more time at home. This change is healthy in many ways, as we're spending more time with family and friends and eating eating healthier. Congratulations everyone!
With more time at home, what are we doing the extra time? Amazingly, it seems that many of the new home trends revolve around the kitchen and eating. The International Home and Housewares Show was held in Chicago. MarketWatch's Jennifer Waters wrote an article on Five home trends for 2010, Consumers stay at home more, and housewares industry takes note.
Home Trends in 2010
The housing bubble has caused new construction to come almost to a standstill and people aren't moving like they used to. As people stay in their homes longer and spend more time at home, there are new trends like those identified at the International Home and Housewares Show. They include the following “top 5 trends” or you can read the full article (link just above) which includes a video.
- Live-in kitchens where people prepare and eat meals PLUS entertain, work, do crafts, etc. The article quoted Tom Mirabile, VP of global trend and design for Lifetime Brands, saying “The kitchen is being reinvented as a second living room, as appliances are camouflaged and functional objects are hidden or minimized, allowing people to create ambiance in the room.”
- Kitchens are going green! We are focusing on lifestyle choices that are more economically friendly but there is a lot of confusion as to what is really green? They also don't want to pay much of a premium for green but “expect retailers and manufacturers to deliver green products at competitive prices.”
- Kitchens supporting healthy lifestyles include buying local food and/or growing your own food. People want healthy food that is fresher and free of chemicals and preservatives, simply what offers better nutrition. That extends to an interest in clean air and water.
- Cooking for fun is apparently becoming a national pastime. Everyone is spending more time in the kitchen, not just the women and the men are looking at cooking as more of a hobby, than a household chore. Popular TV shows are inspiring new interest in food and cooking, and these kitchen skills are a way to entertain and impress friends. Cooking books remain the top selling category among all books.
- Living within our means isn't specifically about the kitchen, but it's certainly a healthy change for Americans as we rethink how we want to spend our money. Consumers are now looking at quality and how long new purchases will provide value versus the disposable economy of days past. I know I'm seeing more people bring their lunch to work and it's always fun to grown your own herbs, or can local fruit (I do miss living in California where the peaches were wonderful).
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