Use light paint and tiles.

Don’t get an oversized vanity. Be mindful the measurements..

Is the bathroom for general family use, are there bedrooms in the basement? Is it for a guest room?

For general family use. No bedrooms down there as of now, but we're a large family and can use a second shower in the house.

Any opinions on large tiles vs smaller tiles?

Larger tiles will make the room feel more spacious (fewer grout lines = less busy). Go with a light, monochromatic theme and use lots of lighting.

Can you post a plan showing the current bathroom? 42” is pretty narrow…

Creating the illusion of more space in a tiny bathroom, especially in a basement setting, can be challenging yet rewarding. With the right design choices and strategic use of elements, you can transform your 42x96 bathroom into a seemingly larger and more inviting space. Here, we'll explore practical and creative ways to maximize space and enhance the overall feel of your small bathroom:

• use light colors like whites and pastels to reflect light and create an airy feel
• install a large or full wall mirror to open up the space and reflect light
• increase natural light with larger windows or a skylight, and use layered lighting
• choose clear glass doors for your stand-in shower to avoid visual barriers
• opt for wall-mounted or floating vanities and shelves

Ours had stacked linen cupboards built in. As part of the reno the doors came off. It felt sooo much larger with just the open shelves. DH removed all the trim and took the tile wains cotting right up to the edge. The room isn't bigger but it sure FEELS bigger. I am using woven cubes for storing the things no one wants to see on the shelves.

Great ideas, thanks! I would love to incorporate built-in shelves somehow... I'm thinking to use a floating vanity and a mirror medicine cabinet on top. And a white on white color scheme.

wall mounted toilet with tank in wall

Love floating toilets! But it's probably way above my budget.

Depending on where the door is I might mount a 42” vanity on one end and put the shower on the other end. Put the toilet nearer the sink side. You could put some narrow higher shelves in between the toilet and shower but leave room next to the shower for someone to dry off. Since it’s so long, maybe hang some artwork on the empty walls.

Do you have a logical place to put a wall niche in between studs?

We just finished a full bath that was 90 x 50. Ours is in an apartment building where we couldn't move fixtures, an oddly place window, nor a strange little heater. We also needed some age in place functions. I learned a lot of lessons. Perhaps they will translate to your needs too:

Float the vanity or use a console. (Don't spend the $ on floating the toilet.)

Use the same tile for the shower floor and bathroom floor.

Build in a tall recessed medicine cabinet.

Great even lighting throughout to reduce shadows.

Recess shelves into the wall.

Swing doorway to open out instead of in.

Consider towel hooks instead of towel bars.

Please upload a floor plan that shows where the door is. Can an existing door be moved?

Can a pocket door be installed?

Pocket door will be installed.

Not sure how to post a floor plan but as of now it's a smaller room and just a toilet and sink and we're adding in the standing shower. Plan is to have shower at one end, toilet next to it (bc that's where it is now... ) and the sink on the other end. There's a small window between the toilet and sink.

Once the tiles are broken off and the everything then we'll be able to see if we have room for buit in shelves between studs/pipes.

Do you think taller narrow shelves are more ideal or longer wider shelves? The ceiling is also very low....

Hi! Try working with light and textures, for example like in this article: https://enjoythewall.com/tips-for-choosing-lighting/ generally check out the blog, there are lots of ideas and solutions there. ))