I would keep your basic design. The minimum shower size is considered to be 34in x 34in square. You are close. The 2'-10" is actually 3'-1" because the glass sits 3" from the edge of the curb.

You may consider some of the following changes:
1. Increase the 3'-1" dimension up to 3'-7" which would increase the shower size but reduce the open shelves to 12" minimum width.
1a. Increase the door size to 24". 22" is narrow.
1b. Flop the vanity and toilet locations for a better layout (if the plumbing allows).

Dugiotok -- That's actually a half-wall (the 1-10 in. measure that's shown as a crosshatched pattern. Glass above, tiled (inside) and beadboard (outside) wall below. The contractor said (I think) that he could turn the studs sideways to make that half wall a little thinner than the standard, but it'still a framed wall. We weren't comfortable with having a full glass wall immediately across a relatively tight from the toilet, in case someone pitched headfirst into it after a few margaritas...

We actually started with the vanity and toilet reversed (which is how they currently are in the existing bath) but flipped them to give more knee room in front of the toilet. (Moving plumbing is easy because there's open crawl space under this bath and everything is very accessible.) We thought it was awfully tight, especially for someone who was large or long-legged. I'd much rather have the sink closer to the door (it's a beautiful "eurolav" in a furniture base) but we just couldn't make that work with comfortable leg room in front of the toilet (which will be a Toto Guinevere -- we need the Guinevere because we want ADA height and a skirted unit).

We could reduce those shelves -- or get rid of them entirely. They were 12 inches wide at one point but shallower; I think as long as they are deep enough that one reach them from the open area ('cause my hips, at least, are more than 12 inches across!), they could be quite narrow and still serve to store towels, etc.

Would lengthening the shower the extra 6 inches but keeping it 2-10 in. wide give a significantly larger feel? Would that be enough to allow someone to step "out" of the spray if they wanted to?

My entire kitchen remodel was less grief than this has been, but there I had TONS of space to work with -- makes all the difference! ;)

Lengthening the shower the extra 6 inches but keeping it 2-10 in wide would give a significant functionally larger shower.That would be enough to allow someone to step back "out" of the spray if they wanted to.I once had a neo shower of that size.
Another thing you might consider is having a shower door that swings in, in addition to swinging out(a code requirement). This might work better with it being hinged on the other side. Also, a thermostatic control valve would be safer for an elderly person.
Take another look at having a full glass panel instead of a pony (half) wall. Taking a header into either could be nasty, but the glass wall will not break and hitting the top edge of the pony wall could cause a serious head injury. For a "light" feel a glass panel does it. The narrow corridor behind the vanity could be an issue too

Dugi

My husband took another shot at a different layout tonight. This one seems as if it works even better (and lets me keep the sink by the door, where I really wanted it).

What do you guys think? Shaded crosshatch would be all glass, which allows us to pick up a couple of inches of width. Angled corner could be all glass, half glass, or solid. Not sure what works best. We were hoping to put the shower head on that angled section (so it would be a short reach to turn it on for someone opening the door), but it could really go either there on on the wall adjacent to the shelves.

Shelving might have to be boxed out to be even with the end of the angle, since they are now only 14 inches wide -- wouldn't want someone to get wedged in trying to reach something on the shelves! ;)

This plan also allows us to get a 24 in. door.

Any thoughts? Seems like it gives a much more useable shower area (our walk-in pantry is almost the identical size so I've just been standing down in it to see if I could shower there... feels quite large enough, for a "small" shower).

{{gwi:1435554}}

Yeah- the second version works way better! Shower seems much more spacious - (though I've lived with a 28" X 30" shower in my MB for over 12 years. Funny, I always thought it was 30 X 32, but just measured it- guess it shrunk over the years!

I agree with Dugi- I would make the 'shelf' wall solid and have the shelves the complete depth or just an inch or two shallower than the wall. Then you have room for large baskets or boxes for storage, or even close in the bottom.

Big improvement over plan #1!

I want to make a bathroom of almost exactly the same size. Did you build it and if so how does it work? Also, what were the final interior dimensions that you had to work with?