How Kohler gave a masterclass in trade show stand design at KBIS 2026

The overall winner of this year's Best Booth Awards at KBIS 2026 was Kohler – and with good reason. We take a tour of the best stand at the biggest kitchen and bathroom show in the world.

We all know that everything in the US is supposed to be bigger and better, and that is part of what makes the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) such an exciting experience for an overseas visitor, but even by North American standards Kohler's stand at KBIS 2026 was pretty special. So special in fact that – for the 4th time – it scooped the Best in Show accolade at The Best Booth Awards at KBIS, which has been devised to recognise the most outstanding exhibitor when it comes to displaying new products in creative presentations that are capable of transporting visitors.   

Kohler began by inviting attendees to 'Step into Possibility' when entering its 15,600sq ft brand experience, and in a personalised touch, the curated journey started through a replica of the company's Wisconsin foundry gate set against a cream city brick façade. 

The installation was a tribute to Kohler’s cast iron legacy and honoured the genuine craftsmanship that the company says has defined the brand since 1873. 

Kohler Cast Iron Ambassador Martha Stewart then led visitors on a cinematic video tour of the factory floor where iconic kitchen and bath products are crafted with 80% recycled materials – underscoring the company’s longstanding commitment to responsible manufacturing.

Kohler’s ongoing design collaboration with Studio McGee was brought to life with an expansive display.

Kohler continued to advance the smart toilet category with the Leap smart toilet with dual-flush and Pure Wash E860 dual‑wand bidet seat, each featuring front bidet wand technology as an industry-first innovation supporting women’s hygiene. Kohler Health also made its KBIS debut with Dekoda, a discreet health-sensing system that attaches to the toilet bowl and provides insights into hydration and gut health, empowering users to track trends and build healthier habits from the comfort of home.

In the sinks and taps space, Kohler showcased working spray demonstrations from Billet and Components faucets, paired with sink zones featuring Strive and the new Synthos workstation sink.

Making its debut at the show was the Aquifer 4-in-1 digital beverage faucet, delivering filtered ambient, chilled, sparkling, and boiling water at the touch of a button from a single tap.

Beautifully styled set pieces on the stand offered aspirational displays, demonstrating to retailers and designers how the products are perfect for incorporating into the most exquisite designs. 

Hands-on customisation was encouraged at the Mix and Match faucet wall, allowing visitors to create personalised combinations across bathroom faucet collections such as Components, Occasion, and Artifacts. In addition, the stand was outfitted with help from Kohler partners: Benjamin Moore, Cosentino, GE Monogram and Café, and FreePower. 

Panel discussions featuring a dynamic mix of industry leaders in the North American market drew visitors to the stand, and enticed them to stay there, while the pop-up café offered signature coffees and Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates for guests on the guided tour.