If you’re looking for a way to maximize the value of space in your new home construction or home remodel, you may want to consider a jack and jill bathroom; it’s something that many Orren Pickell homeowners are requesting. But what exactly is a jack and jill bathroom, and what are some of the benefits and considerations homeowners should keep in mind when adding one to their floor plans? Let’s take a closer look at these topics and more.

Brady Bunch Jack and Jill Bathroom — Here’s where most of us gained our knowledge of the jack and jill bathroom: The Brady Bunch. And while the concept remains the same—the bathroom is shared between two rooms—thankfully today’s jack and jill bathrooms tend to be much roomier and more stylish. Image Credit: https://bestlifeonline.com/brady-bunch-bathroom/

What is a Jack and Jill Bathroom?

If you’ve ever seen episodes of the ubiquitous 1970s sitcom “The Brady Bunch,” there’s a darn good chance you’ve seen a jack and jill bathroom—the bathroom between the girls’ and boys’ room was one. And while most modern-day families may not have six children sharing a single bathroom, many of today’s homeowners are opting for the convenience and space-savings associated with having a single bathroom that services two bedrooms.

Simply stated, a jack and jill bathroom is an en suite bathroom for two bedrooms, or for bedrooms and a hallway.

A jack and jill bathroom with marble hex tiles on the floor and a chandelier. — This glamorous jack and jill bathroom renovation features marble subway tile on the walls and hex marble tiles on the floor. The vanity and radiator cover are both custom-built. The original tub was re-enameled, and a chandelier was added to amp up the space’s feeling of luxury. Image Credit: https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-open-to-dining-room-eclectic-kitchen-chicago-phvw-vp~94711034

Jack and Jill Bathroom Benefits

Jack and jill bathrooms aren’t just appropriate for large families; they’re a great option for homeowners for a number of reasons, including:

Jack and Jill Bathrooms Save Valuable Space

Jack and jill bathrooms offer a number of benefits to homeowners. One of the main benefits is that of space savings; bathrooms can take up valuable space in a floor plan, so having a single bathroom serve two bedrooms is a win-win situation and frees up square footage for other uses. If you’re looking for a way to fit in a larger closet or expand a bedroom’s footprint, see if a jack and jill bathroom can help you make it happen.

Fewer Bathrooms = Less Money

Unlike bedrooms or living areas that are relatively inexpensive to build, the fixtures, plumbing, tile, cabinetry, etc. in bathrooms can drive the cost per square foot up exponentially. It stands to reason that the fewer bathrooms your house contains, the less expensive it will be to build or remodel. And the money that you save on bathrooms can be spent splurging on other areas of your home!

Blue room with a jack and jill vanity with separate storage containers. — A custom-made vanity with both separate and common storage serves as the focal point for this jack and jill bathroom. Each vanity has its own set of accessories and its own lighting, creating a cohesive look while ensuring each bathroom user has exactly what they need. Image Credit: https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/redding-bathroom-renovations-transitional-bathroom-new-york-phvw-vp~11320212

Provide a Private Bathroom for Two Bedrooms

Anyone who’s had to practically get fully dressed to take a 2AM trip down the hall to the bathroom knows the inconvenience and hassle associated with not having an en suite commode available. Jack and jill bathrooms provide the ultimate in convenience and privacy for two bedrooms, allowing family members and guests to be as comfortable as possible.

Jack and Jill Bathrooms Mean One Fewer Bathroom to Clean

Though it may seem like a small consideration, there is something to be said for having one fewer toilet to scour, one less tub to clean and one less floor to mop. Bathrooms get dirty in ways that other rooms simply do not, so foregoing another bathroom and opting for a jack and jill bathroom instead may mean that your cleaning service can focus their efforts on other areas of your home.

Jack and Jill Bathroom Considerations

When adding a jack and jill bathroom to your new home plan or remodeling your home with a jack and jill bathroom, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you’re moving forward:

Small children walk through a jack and jill bathroom with redish floors and white cabinets. — The adorable occupants of the adjoining bedrooms in this midcentury-style Minneapolis home love their new jack and jill bathroom, with its clean lines and funky aesthetic. Ample storage ensures that the bathroom will be able to keep up with the girls’ needs as they grow. Image Credit: https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/jack-and-jill-girls-bathroom-design-rogers-mn-midcentury-minneapolis-phvw-vp~142019054

Adjoining Room Occupants

One of the first considerations homeowners should keep in mind when selecting and designing a jack and jill bathroom is which types of rooms will be on either side of the bathroom? For example, will you be joining two seldom-used guest bedrooms, bedrooms occupied by two teenagers, a nursery and a young child’s room or some other combination? Thinking about the people who occupy the rooms the jack and jill bathroom adjoins will help inform its design features, storage requirements, and more

Locks: The Key to Making a Jack and Jill Bathroom Work

Siblings brushing teeth or washing hands together is fine, but there are other times in the bathroom that privacy is a complete necessity. Work with your home builder to install locks and other features that help your family easily understand when the bathroom is in use so that the occupant has the privacy they need. Consider adding frosted glass transoms so that it is easy to tell when the bathroom light is on, and remember to add locks on both sides of the doors so that people are assured of privacy when they’re in their bedrooms.

Two Sinks for Convenience

For the highest level of convenience, install two separate sinks in your jack and jill bathroom so that tasks like teeth brushing and hand washing can take place independent of each other. Giving each family member a bit of literal elbow room will help make each of them feel like the space is their own.

A gray and white Jack and Jill Bathroom with wooden floors and a stone tiled bath — This mid-sized New York jack and jill bathroom features beaded inset cabinets and a single undermount sink. The gray tile on the walls accents the light purple walls and gray cabinetry, creating a look that is multilayered, not monotone. Image Credit: https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/jack-and-jill-bathroom-modern-bathroom-new-york-phvw-vp~136056840

Combined and Separate Storage Areas

Similar to having two separate sinks, ensuring that you have separate storage areas for each family member’s personal items—makeup, hairdryers, personal hygiene items, etc.—will not only help keep things tidy but will help keep any territory wars to a minimum. Be certain to also include storage space for common items like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, towels, etc. so that one family member doesn’t need to sacrifice any of “their” personal storage space to accommodate these items.

And remember that you don’t have to sacrifice form for function; many homeowners are opting for furniture-like vanities and cabinetry that offer a stylish, practical way to store necessary items.

Separate But Equal Accessories

As you’re thinking about all of the things you need for your standard bathroom, double your list. Towel bars? Double them. Vanity mirrors? Double them, or double the size of the one you have in mind. Toothbrush caddies? Get two. The thought here is to create a duplicate of a traditional bathroom.

Blue themed jack and jill bathroom with blue trimmed mirror — The custom furniture-style vanity in blue makes a bold statement in this jack and jill bathroom, Microtile on the vanity wall with a hint of shine adds luxury to the space without feeling ostentatious, and the heavy crown, baseboard and door molding mirror the woodwork throughout the rest of the house.

Jack and Jill Bathrooms Are a Good Investment

Clearly, there are a number of reasons why a homeowner may opt for a jack and jill bathroom while building their new home or remodeling. Not only do jack and jill bathrooms save space and money, but they kill two birds with one stone by providing private bathroom space for two bedrooms—not to mention they mean one less bathroom to clean.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind as you’re adding a jack and jill bathroom design to your home. Who will be using it? This will have the biggest impact on the features and the way your jack and jill bathroom is designed, as full-time use by two teenagers is radically different than occasional use between guest bedrooms. Also consider things like locks, multiple sinks, storage areas and sets of accessories so everyone has what they need, where they need it. By following these tips, you’ll be able to sidestep any jack and jill bathroom regret and will be setting up yourself, your family and your guest for years of comfort and convenience.