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Why do they call it a Jack and Jill bathroom?
Room planning

Why do they call it a Jack and Jill bathroom?

Posted by Rebecca Doody in Room planning | 1 year ago 7 min read

Is this a term you've only just come across? Well, we're here to explain exactly what a Jack and Jill bathroom is.

Most people have probably never heard of Jack and Jill bathrooms before stumbling on this article. In fact, many of us are probably unaware that there are various designs to choose from in a bathroom. It is important to note that these different bathroom types have their own unique designs so as to serve their own specialised purpose. Hence, when it comes to choosing a bathroom design, you should definitely choose something that would suit your needs the best. Hence, if the Jack and Jill bathroom is a design that would meet your needs, then this article will definitely be very useful for you!

As the years have gone by, Jack and Jill bathrooms have grown increasingly popular, and are now commonly found in many of the newer homes. So, let’s go through the roots of how the Jack and Jill bathroom came about, what makes it so different from all the other bathroom designs out there, and the various pros and cons of installing a Jack and Jill bathroom in your home. Keep reading to find out more.

Orchard Kemp riven grey wall hung double vanity unit with black handles and basin 1200mm

Twin basins, like these from the Kemp furniture range, can be a prominent feature of Jack and Jill bathrooms


What is a Jack and Jill bathroom?

So, what a Jack and Jill bathroom is essentially is that it is an ensuite bathroom that is shared between 2 bedrooms. The fact that this bathroom is connected between 2 bedrooms allows for 2 members of the family to both use the same bathroom easily. This is extremely useful for larger families, as having a shared bathroom would save a lot more space as compared to having an entirely new bathroom altogether.

A Jack and Jill bath can also have additional fixtures to it such as double sinks with mirrors that often come with their own separate storage. Because of this, a Jack and Jill bathroom is also known as a double vanity bathroom. It also contains all the standard features of a typical bathroom, such as having a bath, shower as well as a toilet.

This Jack and Jill design was initially created to cater to siblings in a family that stay in 2 bedrooms. But nowadays, any member of the household that stay in 2 bedrooms can share a Jack and Jill bathroom. The only criteria are that each member has to be okay with having a shared bathroom.

Since the Jack and Jill design would result in additional doors that are connected to other rooms, there may be some privacy concerns, especially for the owners of the particular room. However, not to fear, as one can easily install locks on the doors to prevent any strangers from entering their rooms without permission.


“Jack and Jill went up the hill”

Although Jack and Jill bathrooms have now grown increasingly common, its unique name might still throw some people off guard. You might be thinking, who came up with the idea of using Jack and Jill as a bathroom design name? 

Well, its roots actually stem from the original intention of the design of the toilet. As we have covered earlier, the Jack and Jill bathroom design was initially meant to cater to siblings. Most of you would know the ever-so-famous nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill! As a kid, you would probably have heard of it being sung all the time.

Hence, given that the term is so popular and well-known almost universally, it gradually just stuck. Not only does this design have a very catchy name, but it also has caught a lot of media buzz and attention. In fact, it received a lot of attention after being showcased on the popular American TV series “The Brady Brunch”. Hence, its popularity has skyrocketed over the years.

The Bath Co. Camberley white floorstanding double vanity unit and ceramic basin 1210mm

Room for 2! With this double sink vanity unit from the Camberley furniture range, rushing around in the morning is a thing of the past


Variation of the Jack and Jill bathroom

As with many designs, different homes may have their own take on the Jack and Jill bathroom, and this has led to many variations that you may see in certain homes. The hallmark standard design of the Jack and Jill bathroom design, however, is that it is situated between 2 bedrooms, with 2 bathroom doors on each side that is connected to each bedroom.

However, there are some bathrooms that come with common fixtures of Jack and Jill bathrooms, such as having two sinks or having just a shared bathroom in general. Although these may have certain aspects that are similar to a Jack and Jill bathroom, it is not an authentic Jack and Jill bathroom.


Pros and cons of Jack and Jill bathrooms

Having a bathroom with a double sink that is connected to 2 rooms can make a Jack and Jill bathroom very useful and convenient for big families. However, there are also certain negatives when it comes to having such a design.

Let us now go through some of the positives as well as the negatives of having a Jack and Jill bathroom.

Pros of Jack and Jill bathrooms

Jack and Jill bathrooms definitely help you to save space, as you no longer would have to install an entirely separate bathroom. At the same time, you get to save on a lot of the additional costs that would be incurred if you had built the additional bathroom. There is a lot of additional privacy that you may get from having a Jack and Jill bathroom, given that only 2 people in the home are the only ones given access. Lastly, Jack and Jill bathrooms can be easily customised and tailored to one's preferences, so you have complete freedom in terms of creativity when designing the bedrooms.

Cons of Jack and Jill bathrooms

However, certain limitations to the Jack and Jill bathroom design would be that as it is catered to the adjacent 2 rooms, it is not as easily accessible as compared to your regular bathroom. 

Furthermore, the idea of having to share bathrooms may not be a personal preference to some. If you have children and are intending for the Jack and Jill bathroom to be shared by them, you might want to take their age into consideration as well. If they’re still young, they might not mind sharing a bathroom. But, once they’re teenagers, they’re probably going to want their own space. So, it’s important to keep things like this in mind when planning to redecorate and redo your home.

Orchard Kemp riven grey wall hung double vanity unit with black handles and basin 1200mm

A double vanity unit, like this one from the Kemp riven grey range, also doubles your storage space


Conclusion

With that, we’ve come to the end of this article. Hopefully, you’ve gained a better understanding of Jack and Jill bathrooms and whether they fit your family’s needs and preferences. If you’re thinking of redesigning your bathroom or have a growing family that may benefit from having a shared bathroom with 2 sinks, you should definitely consider getting a Jack and Jill bathroom.

Alternatively, maybe you realise that the Jack and Jill bathroom designs aren't for you and you'd prefer to have a private bathroom with only a shower stall or bathtub. Having one bathroom to yourself is definitely a luxury but if there's enough space in your house, then why not? The choice is entirely yours.

Handy hint: Ever heard of a Hollywood bathroom? Find out all about these in our in-depth article


Shop bathroom furniture

Whether you're searching for double sink vanity units for a Jack and Jill bathroom, or whether you're simply seeking some stylish storage, at Victoria Plum, you'll discover one of the finest ranges of bathroom furniture in the UK. Simply click on the image below to begin browsing.

Shop bathroom furniture

Author, Rebecca Doody

Posted by Rebecca Doody in Room planning | 1 year ago

Originally from Somerset, Rebecca is our resident copywriter who takes care of all things product related. Rebecca loves the modern interior style with both neutral and bold influences to create a statement look.

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