As anyone who grew up with siblings can attest, having multiple children share a bathroom can create a difficult situation. Most mornings it seems like everyone needs to use the bathroom at the exact same time, leading to squabbles, hassles and running late. If you are looking for a new solution, a Jack-and-Jill bathroom may be the perfect addition to your home.
“Jack-and-Jill” refers to a shared bathroom that is connected by two separate bedrooms. Sitcom fans may remember that all six Brady Bunch kids shared a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. If it worked for them, it can certainly work for your family. Let’s take a look at a few ways to design a Jack-and-Jill bathroom that your kids will love.
Privacy is the main benefit of a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. The best Jack-and-Jill designs feature a layout that separates the various areas of the bathroom, like the shower and sink areas. That way, one child can be taking a shower while another brushes his teeth without having to compromise any privacy.
Jack-and-Jill bathrooms usually feature separated amenities that allow each child to have their own space in the bathroom. So, you may want to install two sinks, two mirrors, two linen closets and two cabinets if space allows. Doubling up helps cut down on crowding and makes it easier to share the space. Cabinet storage can also help you keep things organized and running smoothly in a frequently used bathroom. Ample storage will cut down on clutter and ensure that each sibling knows where his or her toiletries are located.
Kids have a knack for making watery messes in the bathroom. So you’ll probably want to select bathroom flooring that’s equipped to handle spills. Ceramic or porcelain tiles are always a good bet accompanied by a tile baseboard for easy clean up.
Once you’ve decided on the layout and flooring, you can start planning the fun design aspects of the bathroom. For a kid’s bathroom, you’ll probably want to plan for versatility. Choose neutral, durable plumbing fixtures and cabinetry designs that can match any design scheme. From there, you can create a fun design backdrop that can be changed once the kids outgrow it. Paint colors, rugs, linens, shower curtains and soap dispensers can easily be changed to match your child’s developing sense of style.
Because Jack-and-Jill bathrooms are a little larger than standard bathrooms, you’ll have more flexibility should you ever choose to remodel the space. Once the kids move away and privacy is less of a concern, you can transform your functional Jack-and-Jill into a luxurious guest bathroom. But I’m sure for most parents, that day probably seems very far off.
