For the sake of readers who might never have heard the term before, let us quickly summarize what a Jack and Jill bathroom is. This rather novel concept refers to a bathroom that is located between two bedrooms, with a door leading to each of them. It often has two (or more) bathroom sinks, so more than one person (often kids) can brush their teeth at the same time.
Variations on the standard theme
While most people wouldn’t mind brushing their teeth next to someone else in the same bathroom, things can get a bit problematic when it comes to using the shower or the toilet. Very few of us are going to like brushing our teeth while someone else is emptying a runny tummy five feet away.
That is why some Jack and Jill bathrooms have custom layouts. One option is to have a bathroom with two bathroom sinks, medicine cabinets, and linen closets – plus a shower, and a bath. The toilet for each room could then e.g. be inside the room, just before one enters the bathroom.
It is also possible to reverse this layout, with one or two separate toilets inside the bathroom, each with its own doors, and a bathroom sink in a nook inside each room just before you enter the bathroom.
I’m sure by now you get the general idea. But what are the pros and cons of Jack and Jill bathrooms? Let’s have a quick look.
The benefits of Jack and Jill Bathrooms
It saves money and it takes up less space. The main facilities such as the bath and shower are shared, so this type of bathroom is significantly cheaper to build than two separate bathrooms. Such a layout also takes up less space than two full-sized bathrooms.
It promotes bathroom equality. We all know the drill: one family member locks her or himself in the bathroom for what seems like hours, while the others line up outside. With a Jack and Jill bathroom, Jack can peacefully play computer games on his phone while sitting on the toilet (which has its own door, remember) while Jill spends as much time as she wants in the bath.
Quick access. Those readers who have little Jacks and Jills in the family who often don’t make it to the toilet in time will understand how important quick access is for them. With a door leading to the bathroom from each bedroom, it’s very easy to get to the toilet when they’re in a hurry. At night it means they don’t need to first work up enough courage to walk down a long, dark passage before getting to the bathroom.
More privacy. To a certain extent, a Jack and Jill bathroom provides the same amount of privacy as an en-suite bathroom, except it’s for two bedrooms. There is no need to first dress up and make sure that no vital parts are showing before heading down the hallway to the bathroom.
Less friction. If little Jack and Jill are fighting nearly every morning over who will brush his or her teeth first, a Jack and Jill bathroom can be the perfect solution. They can now both brush their teeth at the same time.
The only con we could think of. Not even the most perfect solution to life’s little problems comes without its cons, right? So for the sake of fairness. we should mention that having only a Jack and Jill bathroom in your home is not a great idea. There should be at least one other bathroom that’s for general use. Unless you want your visitors to first make their way through a bedroom with an unmade bed and clothing strewn all over the floor enroute to the bathroom.