When it's time to remodel and renovate your home, you're no doubt on the lookout for the freshest takes in design and color choices, so you can ensure your renovation is a lasting investment.

To go about your home refresh in a thoughtful way, it can help to turn to the top experts in the industry for their ideas and insight. With more than 145 years of leadership in the kitchen and bath space, Kohler Co. has worked side by side with the top designers to showcase the most inspired designs for the kitchen, bath and other areas of the home.

To help you come up with looks you'll love for years, here are five head-turning trends that led the way in 2018.

Make a statement with plants: Humidity-loving plants have long added a soft contrast to the traditional hard bath surfaces. Designers are going big with the plant concept by incorporating what's called a living wall in this room - a wall that's essentially a floor-to-ceiling panel of things that grow. Pairing the lush greenery and soft blooms with statement fixtures - such as the curved shape of Kohler's Veil Trough Vessel Bathroom Sink - will make your space into the perfect place to retreat and take time out for self-care. Staying in that vein of incorporating nature-inspired elements, designers are also incorporating new natural materials like wood and stone into kitchen and bath design.

Shifts in the color story: The bright whites that have dominated design books this past decade won't be gone, but they are starting to make their retreat. In 2018 we saw an abundance of earthy neutrals to choose from, like stone grays, blush pinks and warm terracotta - colors that inspire warm feelings and connections to nature. Where white was once uber-trendy in cabinet design, the script has flipped to deep, moody velvet-inspired hues like emerald green, burgundy, navy and black.

Going for the gold: When it comes to fixtures, chrome dominated style books for years. But now, designers are turning toward gold, copper and bronze fixtures at a increasing rate. With a variety of finishes to choose from, from gleaming rose gold to a burnished copper, opting for warm toned fixtures is easy way to add texture and interest to any room.

Next-level entertaining: The idea of the home as a haven is catching on. One concept to consider is turning that extra room or basement into an intimate, inviting space tailor made for unwinding and entertaining. To create that escapist vibe that calls back to the speak-easy, go with dark-hued walls and cabinetry to create an eye-catching contrast with pops of colorful art and gleaming fixtures. To lighten up the somber tone, playful designs like Kohler's Artifacts Gentleman's Bar Faucet adds a touch of retro charm.

High function, stylish design: The kitchen is the busiest room in the house, which is why homeowners welcome new ideas in hard-working, durable solutions that are also aesthetically pleasing. Incorporating design into the kitchen has never been easier with options like Kohler's Purist Kitchen Faucet - a design that works seamlessly with any style/aesthetic/taste. Adding a secondary island to the kitchen will keep all your gear ultra-organized; and adding sinks to one or both islands can make food prep a snap - even with multiple cooks in the kitchen.

To discover more design ideas to inspire your upcoming renovations, visit kohler.com.