What Is a Jack and Jill Bathroom?

“Jack and Jill,

Went up a hill

To fetch a pail of water...”

You will find all manner of bathroom layouts and designs, but Jack and Jill is among the most recognizable and unique ones around. The concept behind the bathroom layout is an example of how to make the best of the space that you have and control the flow of traffic in your home.

With a Jack and Jill bathroom, Jack and Jill will most certainly not need to climb up a hill to fetch a pail of water. In fact, having easy access to a two-way en-suite bathroom means that both can fetch a pail of water without having to cross a hallway or wait for the other to finish. While you most likely won’t be using your bathroom to fill buckets with water, the Jack and Jill room can be a fine addition to your home and offers a range of conveniences.

What is a Jack and Jill Bathroom?

What Is the Design Concept Behind Jack and Jill Bathrooms

As you may have already guessed, the Jack and Jill bathroom design is named after the two characters in the nursery rhyme. While there is no direct connection between the nursery and the design itself, the layout does imply the idea of dual or cooperative use of the bathroom.

Jack and Jill bathrooms are essentially master en-suite bathrooms but instead of being accessible by only one bedroom, they are situated between two. There are two doors leading to the bathroom, one from each bedroom. This layout brings about a set of benefits that make Jack and Jill a fantastic option for a busy household.

Benefits of Jack and Jill Bathroom

What Are the Advantages of Jack and Jill Bathrooms?

There are several benefits to Jack and Jill bathrooms that make them such an appealing addition.

Keep a Closer Eye on Kids

How Parents Can Use Jack and Jill Bathrooms for Their Parental Needs

One of the most common reasons homeowners opt for the Jack and Jill bathroom layout is because they wish to be closer to their kids. As safe as your bathroom may be, kids always find ways of breaking something and potentially harming themselves. It is important for you as a parent to be as close to them as possible in case this happens and have easy access to the bathroom.

The Jack and Jill bath is perfect for this scenario thanks to its two entrances. You won’t have trouble reaching your children in case they need help. If they are in the bathroom and they need your help, you can quickly run into the bathroom if you happen to be in the bedroom. The two-way entrance also allows you to have more access points to the bathroom, so if one door is locked by your kids, you always have another entrance

Less Hallway Traffic

How to Improve Room-Flow with Jack and Jill Bathrooms

Mornings are always a problem in a busy household. Waiting for someone to finish taking a shower as everyone else is rushing from room to room creates a lot of traffic. As one person enters the bathroom and another leaves, congestion in the hallway is inevitable.

With a Jack and Jill bathroom, the long hallway queues disappear as there are now two means of access to the bathroom from two separate bedrooms. You can get ready for work as your kids brush their teeth and there is little to no traffic in the hallway. Once each person is finished with their morning routine, you can simply leave through your own entrance without getting in each other’s way. 

Extra Space

Sharing an En-Suite Bathroom May Open Extra Space in Your Bedroom

Having an en-suite bathroom for every bedroom requires a lot of extra space which your house may not accommodate. A way to solve this problem is to save space by having two bedrooms share one en-suite bathroom.

This way both bedrooms have access to the Jack and Jill bathroom and you don’t need to make more room for an en-suite bathroom for each and every room in your house.

Features to Consider

You’ll Find Many Features Unlocked With a Jack and Jill Bathroom

When designing the room, there are all kinds of small Jack and Jill bathroom ideas that will add a personal touch and flair to the room. Aesthetics aside, the features that you include in your Jack and Jill bathroom plans will determine its functionality and ease of use. 

Jack and Jill Vanity

The vanity will either make or break your bathroom. It is highly recommended that you install a big vanity with two sinks in your Jack and Jill bathroom. After all, what is the point of having an en-suite bathroom for two bedrooms when there is only one sink? With a double vanity in the Jack and Jill bathroom, you and other household members can use it at the same time, without waiting for the other person to finish. No more lining up to wait for your chance to wash up — with two sinks the time you wait for your turn is essentially cut in half. 

Jack and Jill Door 

The one problem that comes with having two doors in the bathroom is locking and unlocking both when you need to use the bathroom privately. While this does not seem like a big deal at first, you may forget to lock the second door once in a while, which will commonly happen with guests who are not used to having a Jack and Jill bathroom. As a result, you may have an unpleasant experience of walking into someone taking care of their private business. Luckily there are smart locks out there that can be installed to close both doors with a single switch. This will make it easier for you to lock the doors behind yourself without having to reach for the second door. Speak with a lock specialist or even a home automation specialist who can introduce you to all the necessary gadgets you will need to make your Jack and Jill door lock work. 

Jack and Jill Mirrors and Vanity Lighting

To go along with your Jack and Jill sinks you will also need a pair of mirrors as well as proper lighting to make the bathroom functional. You have the option of installing two separate mirrors for each sink or having one big mirror pane for the entire vanity. The one advantage to having them be separate is that two smaller mirrors are easier to clean than a single big one. But if you are willing to put up with the extra work, there is nothing stopping you from installing one big vanity mirror that accommodates both sinks. As for lighting, you should find the kind of fixtures that allows you to segment the vanity. This is so that if one person is shaving and needs bright light they won’t bother the person next to them who may just be washing up for bedtime. 

Jack and Jill Bathroom Design Ideas

There are plenty of Jack and Jill bathroom designs out there for you to use as inspiration in creating something that is uniquely your own. With a mixture of modern design trends as well as your own personal touch, you can create a Jack and Jill-style bathroom like no other.

Bright Scandinavian

Scandinavian Jack and Jill Bathrooms Are Often Bright and Sunny

For something more bright with a tinge of biophilia, there is the Scandinavian Jack and Jill bathroom. The combination of white sinks, bright wooden furniture and flooring, and a few plants for decoration are enough to give the space a distinctly Scandinavian aesthetic.

Modern Farmhouse

Going Rustic With a Modern Farmhouse Jack and Jill Bathroom Design Is a Great Idea

Rustic flair is something many homeowners enjoy seeing in their homes. But at the same time abandoning all the conveniences of modern design isn’t easy. This is where the modern farmhouse brings the two worlds together and creates something that is both inviting and warm, but also sleek and practical. 

Chic Victorian

The Traditional Elegance of Victorian Jack and Jill Bathrooms

When it comes to Jack and Jill bathroom ideas (as with any other room), in some cases there is no beating the classics. The luxurious Victorian interiors have been a staple of design for ages but have not shown any signs of going out of style. You will find plenty of glamorous bathrooms which implement the distinctly chic and glamorous elements of Victorian design, from wooden ornate vanities and bronze freestanding tubs to gorgeous old-school faucets and decorative mirror frames. If you can implement some of these design elements into your Jack and Jill bathroom plans for your next big remodel you will be rewarded with a bathroom that is beautiful and lavish.