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A Jack and Jill bathroom is an old-fashioned term for a shared bathroom that has two doors that open up to two separate rooms. Often shared by siblings, Jack and Jill bathrooms are space-saving solutions that can be adapted for other uses. This may include anything from two guest rooms that share a bathroom, or single bedrooms that share the bathroom with a study, den, exercise room, or home office on the other side. A Jack and Jill bathroom may or may not have a double sink vanity to make sharing more comfortable, but will otherwise include a shared shower, bathtub, and toilet.
Check out these 22 Jack and Jill bathrooms in a range of layouts and styles for inspiration.
What Is a Jack and Jill Bathroom?
A Jack and Jill bathroom is a shared bathroom that connects two bedrooms, often for children. They are usually only accessible from the bedrooms, and may have double sinks or vanities.
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01
of 22Highlight Favorite Colors
In a Jack and Jill bathroom for twin boys, architect and interior designer Barry Goralnick drew inspiration from each child’s bedroom—one blue and one green—incorporating some of each hue. “The bath was white with touches of each color, separate toilet and shower spaces, twin sinks and plenty of storage for each kid,” he says.
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02
of 22Build a Separate Shower Room
If you don’t wish to include two doors, try this hack. “My advice is to actually build a toilet or shower room, similar to what you see in hotels,” explains Jean Brownhill, founder of home renovation company Sweeten. “In this configuration, the area of the bathroom that truly needs privacy is behind one singular, lockable door, while allowing access to the sink and linen closet for other users.”
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03
of 22Keep Some Features Uniform
“Usually the plumbing fixtures, tile, counters, cabinetry, and lighting are the same,” designer Judy Pickett says of Jack and Jill bathrooms. However, if the space is shared by siblings, you can still achieve the best of both worlds. “I use the same color palette and possibly add wall covering that is fun for both,” Pickett adds.
The Best Double Vanities to Upgrade Your Bathroom in Style -
04
of 22Hire an Architect
Interior designer Emily Henderson hired an architect to reconfigure the layout of her home so that her young son and daughter could each have access to a shared bathroom from their own rooms.
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05
of 22Add These Personal Touches
Not all Jack and Jill bathrooms feature two separate vanities, but a bit of clever styling can help children make the most of this shared space. “If you have a double vanity, I always recommend giving each kid their own bath mat and step stool, as it can help them ‘mark their territory,'” designer Georgia Zikas suggested. “If you only have one sink, then give each kid their own toothbrush cup or their own piece of art to hang so they feel the room is uniquely theirs.”
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06
of 22Match the Wallpaper
Emily Henderson Design used the same wallpaper in a different color for the pink nursery on one side of the Jack and Jill bathroom that adds cohesion while personalizing the bedroom space and color palette.
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07
of 22Keep the Basics Neutral
When designing a Jack and Jill bathroom, “have fun with design elements that will bring the bathroom to life for its daily users,” offers designer Malka Helft. Here, pink linens add a pop of color but can easily be swapped out for more muted options down the line.
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08
of 22Double Guest Room
This Jack and Jill bathroom from A Beautiful Mess is shared by double guest bedrooms, with a double vanity painted in a cheery shade of bubblegum pink and finished with gold-tone accents.
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09
of 22Maximize Storage
Two people sharing a bathroom equals an increased need for efficient storage. “Carve out all the storage space you possibly can with a modern-day mirrored medicine cabinet that vanishes behind the wall,” designer Lynn Stone advises. “It can provide a perfect spot for bathroom essentials and beyond.” And don’t forget about other forms of hidden storage. “Choose deep vanity drawers over small ones to tuck away products, bottles, and larger items,” Stone adds.
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10
of 22Bedroom + Bunk Room
Mindy Gayer Design Co. used a black, white, and forest green color palette and mixed patterns and textures to decorate this long and linear Jack and Jill bathroom that has a boy’s room on one side and a bunk room on the other.
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11
of 22Stick to Twos
When designing a Jack and Jill bathroom from scratch, opt for two of everything, designer Tony Mariotti suggests. “Keep in mind how notoriously territorial kids can be. The more you can divide and conquer in the design the better.” This will only become more important as your children age. “Especially when they’re teenagers, kids don’t want their products co-mingling,” Mariotti adds.
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12
of 22Stagger the Doors
While many Jack and Jill bathrooms are galley-style spaces that open up to separate rooms with a straight shot, depending on the layout of your home, a shared bathroom may include staggered doors that aren’t positioned opposite one another but on adjacent walls, like this space from A Beautiful Mess.
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13
of 22Incorporate a Laundry Chute
Don’t let the bathroom floor become a dumping ground for t-shirts and sweatpants galore. Notes Mariotti, “If you’re in a two-story home, a laundry chute is key for a Jack and Jill, especially as teenagers can be incredibly messy.”
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14
of 22Limit Your Color Palette
My 100 Year Old Home maintained a blue-and-white color palette on adjacent bedrooms and a Jack and Jill bathroom that creates flow and cohesion in the shared space.
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15
of 22Don’t Forget About Door Locks
In a Jack and Jill bathroom, there are extra considerations to be taken into account with regard to door design. “Both doors need locks, and on both sides of the door so that each bedroom has privacy while the bathroom is in use,” designer Billy Ceglia explains.
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16
of 22Include the Right Lighting
The more light switches, the more functional a Jack and Jill bathroom will be. “Three-way light switches should be installed by each door so that the lights can be turned off from either side,” Ceglia notes.
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17
of 22Or Include Sconces
Sconces are also an excellent choice for a Jack and Jill bathroom, particularly when a double vanity is used. “In this situation, we place a single sconce on each outer side of the sinks, and one double sconce in the middle of the two sinks,” designer Jennifer Barron says. “This gives a very cohesive look.”
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18
of 22Separate the Vanities
You can separate vanities by placing a hutch-style cabinet in the middle of the countertop or place vanities on opposite sides of the bathroom, Barron notes.
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19
of 22Design With Longevity in Mind
In the process of designing a bathroom that will appeal to your children, be sure to think about the long haul, designer Kristina Phillips says. “Use materials and colors that will not feel dated as the kids grow up.”
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20
of 22Achieve Symmetry
“The best Jack and Jill bathrooms have a strong sense of symmetry,” designer Christina Kim says. “Sometimes the architecture doesn’t allow for this however, and you have to trick the eye a bit.” She suggests painting the vanities in a bold shade to do so. “Placing one long mirror above both vanities also goes a long way in balancing an asymmetrical layout,” Kim adds.
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21
of 22Or Try This Layout Idea
Designer Nicole Michael offers a twist on the traditional Jack and Jill layout. “Each of the bedrooms has an en suite bathroom with a sink and a toilet, but then those two rooms connect to a common shower room,” she suggests. ” This is especially if you have kids of the opposite sex: It gives them privacy but also a great opportunity to learn how to share a space. You also save on construction by not duplicating a tub or shower.”
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22
of 22Create Zones
In this Jack and Jill bathroom from A Beautiful Mess, the toilet is located at the far end by a window, giving it a sense of privacy in the shared space. A macrame curtain and a large plant on a raised planter gives the space a cozy boho inspired touch.
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