What Are Jack and Jill Bathrooms?
At Ashmore Builders, our goal is to optimize our clients' homes with high-quality cabinetry and functional design. A quick look at our portfolio, and you’ll see that we do *a lot* of bathroom remodels. From stately primaries to punchy powder rooms, a bathroom remodel is a great way to add value to your home while also optimizing storage space.
When it comes to residential architecture, Jack and Jill bathrooms are ubiquitous with practicality, functionality, and family friendliness. So it comes as a surprise that we don’t remodel more of them! Let’s take a deep dive into this unique bathroom design using our clients’ bright and youthful jack and jill bathroom remodel as an example.
What is a Jack and Jill Bathroom?
Simply put, a Jack and Jill bathroom is a style of bathroom that connects two bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own entrance and sink, but shares the same toilet and shower.
Some Jack and Jill bathrooms have one double sink vanity, while other layouts have two separate vanities. Regardless, a traditional Jack and Jill bathroom has two entrances to separate bedrooms; making it an ideal design for family homes.
Our clients’ Jack and Jill bathroom layout
Kids' Jack and Jill Bathroom Design
Can you imagine a more perfect kids’ bathroom design?
This bathroom remodel is for our clients’ daughter. The bright wallpaper and bold blue custom vanity painted Deep Sea Dive is the perfect combination of pretty and practical.
Where does the term Jack and Jill come from?
The name Jack and Jill is derived from the famous nursery rhyme. As we mentioned before, the Jack and Jill design originally catered toward siblings, and over the years, the catchy name stuck as an accurate descriptor of the shared space.
Today, Jack and Jill bathrooms may be referred to in a more gender neutral term as a Hollywood bathroom or double vanity bathroom. However, both terms are quite broad and could describe various bathroom layouts. We’ll stick with the term Jack and Jill as it is ubiquitous with the double-entry design.
When did Jack and Jill bathrooms become so popular?
While siblings sharing the same bathtub is nothing new, the traditional Jack and Jill layout as we know it today surfaced in the early 1960s at the end of the baby boom (1946-1964).
Coincidentally, the popular television show, The Brady Bunch (1969-1974) featured a Jack and Jill bathroom that was shared between the siblings. This popularized the layout and solidified the Jack and Jill bathroom as a staple of suburban family life for decades to come.
The Brady Bunch’s Jack and Jill bathroom design
Before and After Gallery
Why choose a Jack and Jill bathroom design?
Aside from the drawback of “sharing” a bathroom, there are actually an abundance of benefits that come with the Jack and Jill layout. While the floor plan may be nontraditional, there are some advantages to this distinct design:
Maximizes space:
Jack and Jill bathrooms allow for both bedrooms to have access to a spacious en-suite bathroom. Depending on the layout, each bedroom can have their own vanity and storage.
Reduces bathroom costs:
If you’re designing a home and looking to save money, consider a Jack and Jill bathroom rather than two individual spaces.
Practicality:
Two sinks in one bathroom can reduce the amount of stress when getting ready for work or school. And let’s be honest, no one likes to clean the bathroom. One less toilet or shower to clean and maintain is a plus!
Encourages independence:
A Jack and Jill bathroom is an excellent option for multi-generational homes. The layout encourages sharing between younger kids, and corrals their bedtime and bathtime necessities into one space as opposed to a hall bathroom shared with guests.
Likewise, Jack and Jill bathrooms are a great option for homes with elderly family members as they are generally more spacious and allow multiple points of entry in case of emergency.
Jack and Jill bathrooms offer a practical solution for family homes no matter the age of its residents due to their space-saving efficiency and multi-generational functionality.
In conclusion, Jack and Jill bathrooms offer a practical and cost-effective solution for maximizing space and convenience in larger homes. Despite initial reservations about sharing a bathroom, the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks, making this design concept a popular choice for families and homeowners seeking efficiency without sacrificing luxury. Whether you're looking to save on installation costs, reduce maintenance, or encourage independence in children, a Jack and Jill bathroom could be the perfect addition to your home.
Selections
Photos by Kim Deloach Photography.
Interior Design by Studio K.
Paint:
Vanities, Linen closet, trim and ceiling are painted Deep Sea Dive (SW 7618).
Walls in Wordly Gray (SW 7043).
“Summer Garden” wallpaper.
Hard Surfaces:
Tile selected from Clayton Tile.
2” white, matte, hexagonal tile by Speartek, Buckhead Collection.
2”x6” shower wall tile by Emil Ceramica, Sixty Collection in Salvia.
Polished Calcatta Albezzo Quartz countertops sourced through Upstate Granite Solutions.
Plumbing Fixtures and Accessories:
Faucets, bathtub, and bathroom accessories purchased through ProSource Plumbing Supply in Luxe Gold Finish.
