Exploring the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin

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We recently spent the Christmas holiday in Kohler, Wisconsin and had a wonderful few days exploring the beautiful village of Kohler and its many amenities, restaurants, and daily activities at the American Club. One highlight of our stay was our visit to the Kohler Design Center, in the heart of the village and next door to the Five Star Kohler Waters Spa.

inside a tub at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin

The 36,000 square foot, three floor center includes a main floor filled with displays of current product lines of kitchen and bath products, a second floor with 20 artist designed vignettes of bathrooms, and a lower level History of Kohler museum. There are no sales on site but plenty of product support and professional Kohler designers who can help you design your dream kitchen or bath. Plus, many of the displays actually work so you can touch and test the latest innovations in technology and design. 

in front of the History Kohler sign at the History of Kohler museum at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin

Travel Tips:

  • The Design Center and Museum are free to visit 362 days a year (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter) 9am-5pm Monday through Friday and 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.
  • There is a small parking lot behind the center and free two hour street parking in front of the Design Center.
  • Plenty of designer restrooms located on the lower level; exhibits are handicap accessible via an elevator.
  • No dining facilities on site, but lots of options at The American Club and Shops at Wood Lake nearby- check here for more information. We loved the Horse and Plow for a casual, family friendly lunch or dinner and its walkable from the Design Center.
  • Plan on 75-90 minutes to fully explore all exhibits and the lower level museum

12 Ways to Explore the Kohler Design Center:

  1. Test the shower by the window that has several smart features and jets!
  2. Pose inside one of a dozen bathtubs on display (and learn about the first bathtubs created by Kohler in the History Museum)
  3. Choose a favorite bathroom design from 20 unique models on the second floor (and grab a product card that shared information for every product used in the vignette)

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display at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin

posing in front of toilet display at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin
  1. Watch the video of the history of the Kohler company in the History of Kohler museum.
  2. Learn about sanitation conditions and the lack of resources such as water in several areas around the world- and small steps everyone can take to help change the deficiencies. 
  3. Research the Kohler family tree and the roles each family member has in the company.
  4. See war time production and manufacturing products such as  artillery and tank shells, generators, and submarine launch tubes.
  5. Follow the timeline of the Kohler brands of products and see items such as a 1904 toilet and a 1928 electric clotheswasher.
  6. Check out the customization station and dream of your personally designed Kohler sink.
  7. See memorabilia from the American Club hotel over the years (check out the schedule of rates from the 1930s!)
  8. Read about the development of the golf courses at the American Club and Herb Kohler’s vision for the company.
  9. Learn how Kohler repurposes all “waste” from their products in the WasteLab exhibit.
exhibit in the History of Kohler museum at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin

exhibit in the History of Kohler museum at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin

Looking for more adventures in Kohler? Check out our full resort guide here, our feature of the Arts Centers here, and playing “I Spy” at the American Club here. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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