Bathroom Remodel Trends 2026: Design Ideas & Cost Guide for Omaha Homes

Walk-In Shower vs. Bathtub: The Omaha Resale Debate

This is the question that comes up in nearly every bathroom consultation: should we keep the tub? The answer depends on which bathroom you are renovating and how the home is configured overall.

When to Keep the Bathtub

If the home has only one full bathroom, keep the tub. Omaha real estate data consistently shows that homes without any bathtub sell for 5-10% less and take longer to close, particularly in neighborhoods with strong family buyer demand like Millard, Papillion, and Gretna. Families with young children need a bathtub, and appraisers factor tub presence into comparable valuations.

In homes with two or more full bathrooms, keep at least one tub, ideally in the hall or secondary bath that serves children and guests.

When a Curbless Shower Makes Sense

The master suite is the strongest candidate for a tub-to-shower conversion. Most adults prefer showers for daily use, and a spacious curbless walk-in shower with a bench seat, body sprays, and a rain showerhead creates more luxury and functionality than a tub that sits unused. In the Omaha market, a well-designed walk-in shower in the master bath enhances perceived value because buyers see it as a premium upgrade rather than a feature removal.

ADA and Aging-in-Place Considerations

For homeowners planning to age in their home, the curbless shower is not just a design preference but a safety necessity. A zero-threshold entry eliminates the trip hazard of stepping over a tub wall, which is the leading cause of bathroom falls among adults over 65. Combined with grab bars and a built-in bench, a curbless shower can extend independent living by years. Douglas County's growing population of homeowners aged 55+ makes this a relevant consideration for a significant share of Omaha renovation projects.

Small Bathroom Design Strategies for Omaha's Older Homes

A compact Omaha bathroom before and after renovation with space-maximizing design strategies.

Many of Omaha's most desirable neighborhoods, from Dundee to Benson to Aksarben, feature homes built in the 1920s through 1960s with bathrooms that measure 5x8 feet or smaller. Renovating these compact spaces demands strategies that maximize every square inch without making the room feel cramped:

• Floating vanities: Wall-mounted vanities expose the floor beneath, making the room appear larger while creating accessible storage. A 30-inch floating vanity with a vessel sink works well in spaces where a standard 36-inch cabinet overwhelms the room.
• Wall-mounted toilets: These units conceal the tank inside the wall, projecting only 21 inches from the wall versus 28-30 inches for a standard toilet. The gained floor space is visually significant in a small bathroom, and the smooth wall surface is far easier to clean.
• Pocket doors: A standard bathroom door requires 9 square feet of swing clearance. A pocket door reclaims all of it, which in a 40-square-foot bathroom represents more than 20% of usable floor area.
• Light color palettes: Soft whites, warm grays, and pale stone tones reflect light and expand perceived space. Pair with large-format tile to minimize visual interruption from grout lines.
• Oversized mirrors: A full-width mirror above the vanity, extending to the ceiling if possible, effectively doubles the perceived depth of the room. Backlit LED mirrors add ambient warmth without requiring additional wall sconces.

Accessibility Upgrades That Add Value

Universal design features have shed their institutional stigma. Today's accessibility upgrades are engineered to be beautiful, and they appeal to buyers across every age group. These features consistently add value in the Omaha market because they expand the pool of potential buyers who can comfortably use the home:

• Decorative grab bars: Modern grab bars come in brushed gold, matte black, and satin nickel finishes that match luxury fixture lines. Installed at shower entry, beside the toilet, and near the tub, they provide critical support without looking like aftermarket additions. Proper installation requires blocking in the wall framing, so plan for these during renovation rather than retrofitting later.
• Comfort-height toilets: Standard toilets sit 15 inches off the floor. Comfort-height models sit at 17-19 inches, making it significantly easier to sit down and stand up for adults of all ages. The cost difference between a standard and comfort-height toilet is typically under $100, making this one of the highest-value accessibility upgrades available.
• Built-in bench seating: A tiled bench seat in the shower serves double duty: it is a luxury spa feature for younger homeowners and a safety necessity for those with mobility limitations. Recessing the bench into the wall saves floor space while providing a stable, slip-resistant surface.
• No-threshold shower entry: The curbless design discussed above is the cornerstone of accessible bathroom design. When combined with a handheld showerhead on an adjustable slide bar, it accommodates seated showering without requiring any specialized equipment.
• Lever-handle faucets: Replacing round knob handles with lever-style faucets makes operation easier for anyone with reduced grip strength, arthritis, or wet hands. This is a simple swap during any renovation that costs nothing extra.