Adding extra bathrooms is a popular home renovation that adds value to your property. If you don’t have room for a full one, you could look at installing a powder room or a ‘Jack and Jill’ instead. 

But exactly what is a Jack and Jill bathroom?

What is a Jack and Jill bathroom? 

If you’re wondering what a Jack and Jill bathroom is, it’s a full-sized bathroom located between two bedrooms and accessed via separate entrances. Jack and Jills are usually shared by kids but can also connect a family members’ bedroom and a guest room, or a bedroom and office. 

Jack and Jills sometimes have a third entrance from the hallway, making them accessible from the rest of the house. While this makes them a bit less private, it’s good future-proofing for when the kids leave home and those bedrooms are no longer in use.  

Benefits of a Jack and Jill Bathroom 

Jack and Jills are ideal to give kids or guests a more private bathroom if you don’t have space or budget for two en-suites. Of course, people still need to agree on who gets to use it and when, but at least they’re not fighting with the rest of the family to get in there. Any space you save by not installing two full bathrooms can be used for storage or even an extra bedroom. 

Cost of Jack and Jill Bathroom

Like all home renovations, the cost of a Jack and Jill bathroom varies greatly with size, specifications and quality of fixtures and fitting. Expect to pay £2,500 to £6,000 for a 4-6 week job, depending. 

It goes without saying that any bathroom used by kids needs to be hardwearing, so don’t skimp on the quality of flooring and sanitaryware. That said, there’s a big difference in price between bespoke or reclaimed fixtures and a mid-to-top-range off-the-shelf suite from a major retailer. 

Jack and Jill Bathroom Ideas

Now you know what a Jack and Jill bathroom is, let’s look at what you can do with it. 

Since Jack and Jills are usually shared by kids (who all turn into teens sooner or later), good design is essential to maximise comfort and minimise conflict. First, think about the layout. Any bathroom shared by kids will be in high demand at peak times like pre-school and Saturday nights. You can make it easier for sensitive teens (or guests) to share by partitioning off either the toilet, shower or both. This allows one person to attend to intimate necessities while the other can access the sink. Another option is to create a separate enclosure for each sink and keep the shower and toilet communal.

Common Features of a Jack and Jill Bathroom

• Double sinks and vanities. Highly recommended for two people to use the bathroom at once. Even if they access it at different times, giving teenagers their own sink and vanity goes a long way towards preventing territorial conflicts. If you don’t have space for two separate units, install a double one with two sinks instead. 
  
  
• Mirrors. Same goes; either install two or a long one that two people can use.   
  
  
• Storage and accessories. If you’ve got kids, you’ll know how essential equal treatment is for a quiet life. Give them their own identical towel rails, storage space, plug sockets, etc.  
  
  
• Shower and/or bath. Older kids and guests should be fine with just a shower. For younger kids, you’ll want a bathtub or shower-bath. 
  
  
• Locks. On both sides of each door to guarantee privacy in the bathroom and bedrooms. Locking and unlocking both doors every time you go in and out takes a bit of getting used to but it quickly becomes a habit.  
  
  
• Lighting. Install switches on either side of each entrance so nobody has to fumble across the room in the dark.
  
  
• Décor. At the risk of gender stereotyping, you can incline towards more feminine or masculine décor if the bathroom is shared by two boys or two girls. Otherwise, it’s best to keep it neutral. 

If you still have questions about what a Jack and Jill bathroom is, or want to see if one could work in your home, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.