While many of us grew up sharing bathrooms with siblings or other family members, we probably didn't have a jack-and-jill bathroom—until you moved into a suite-style dorm in college. Jack-and-jill bathrooms are characterized by the two entrances they have, both often leading to a separate bedroom.
What Is a Jack-and-Jill Bathroom?
Popular in the 1970s, a jack-and-jill bathroom often joins bedrooms and has double vanities, one for each child. While it may seem strange to only be able to access a bathroom through a bedroom (and be able to access the bedroom next door), the room was actually invented to help growing families more easily share bathrooms in the house.
Many recently-built homes don't have jack-and-jill bathrooms, but there are plenty of homes from years past that still have them. While they may seem difficult to style because of the two doors (which limits wall space and storage), they're a great opportunity for getting creative with your design.
Here are 20 jack-and-jill bathrooms ideas that are interesting in design and beautiful to look at.
01of 20
Make it Work for More Than Two
Those with big families know it's extremely difficult to share one bathroom, especially when you're all on a similar schedule. The advantage of jack-and-jill bathrooms is that it allows more than one person to get ready at a time (when it comes to brushing teeth and other non-private bathroom activities).
We love how this room could actually accommodate three people if need be—two sinks and a vanity give enough space for everyone.
02of 20
Opt for Glass Doors
If you can, opt for a glass shower door instead of a curtain. Not only does it give a modern look to any bathroom, but it visually opens up the room. Jack-and-jill bathrooms can look small because of the doors, so any sightlines you can keep will make the room appear larger.
03of 20
Consider the View
When a bathroom opens up into a bedroom, it's important to consider what you (or a guest) will see when exiting the bathroom, too. Adding a plant next to the door is a great décor moment, but making sure that the vignette in the bedroom looks nice is important, too.
04of 20
Embrace Stark Contrast
Add dimension and height to your space by adding dark cabinets under your sink and keeping things like tiles and counters light on top. Tiling to the ceiling will also make a room look taller.
05of 20
Opt for Unique Lighting
There's nothing wrong with opting for a simple bathroom design, but one lighting choice can take it from simple to sophisticated. Try placing lighting in unexpected places, like these sconces on the mirror, to not only brighten up the enclosed room, but also add a touch of style to the space.
06of 20
Look Below for Space
Utilizing vertical space is one of the easiest ways to decrease clutter on the floor and counters, but we often forget that vertical space exists under sinks and counters, too. Leave the space below your sink open for hanging towels or stowing laundry baskets, keeping them tucked away and out of the way.
07of 20
Create Storage Nooks
With a lack of wall space, it's important to put storage wherever you can. If you have the resources, use the empty space between wall studs to create some open shelving for storing things like tissues, makeup, and other essentials.
08of 20
Embrace Symmetry
A jack-and-jill bathroom is inherently symmetrical, so why not lean into that? Creating a space that's entirely symmetrical is so pleasing to the eye, and it is effortlessly clean looking.
09of 20
Consider the Doors
Having two doors swing into a small bathroom? No thank you. Consider having pocket doors to open up the space in the bathroom and act as a cool design moment.
10of 20
Squeeze In a Tub
Jack-and-jill bathrooms can feel on the smaller side, but there's no reason to not add the soaking tub of your dreams in there. A smaller tub will fit proportionally in the space and give you a place to unwind after a long day.
11of 20
Add All the Cabinets
If you're short on storage, consider adding a full wall of cabinets if you have the space. This setup not only has a ton of storage under the sink, but there are two drawers in the vanity area to stash makeup and other products.
12of 20
Use Funky Tile
In a space as unique as a jack-and-jill bathroom, might as well opt to create an interesting space visually. Consider adding a backsplash behind the sink to both protect the wall from spills and add a pattern into the space.
13of 20
Use Luxe Fixtures
While an adjoining bathroom may feel juvenile, it can look extremely grown-up. Using luxe fixtures like gold faucets and faceted mirrors make the shared space feel more like a swanky bar bathroom than a random space between bedrooms.
14of 20
Use Pegs for Organization
Peg rails are aesthetically pleasing and a great way to use vertical space. Shaker style rails allow you to hang baskets with extra toilet paper and towels, and it also is a space to hang damp towels and robes.
15of 20
Pick a Color Scheme
A clean color palette will bring any room together, especially if it's on the petite side. Cool grays make this space feel modern and fresh without feeling too blah.
16of 20
Embrace the All-White Look
Create a light an airy atmosphere by keeping walls, cabinets, tiles, and floors white. Keep it from feeling too stark by adding contrasting touches with the hardware, mirrors, and grout.
17of 20
Save Counter Space with Wall Fixtures
Being short on counter space is a problem we're all familiar with, and having fixtures that come out of the wall saves precious surface area while also looking incredibly sleek.
18of 20
Create Designated Zones
Sometimes a jack-and-jill bathroom can feel more like a hallway that happens to have a bathroom in it, but creating intentional zones in the space will make it feel less transitional. Walls between storage, the sink, and the vanity in this space break it up without feeling disruptive.
19of 20
Use One Wall
So, you've lost two of your four walls to doors, why not free up one by putting all of your bathroom fixtures on one side? You can use the blank wall for storage or décor, or if you have the width, you could add a tub.
20of 20
Add Unexpected Touches
Less is more in a bathroom, but a great piece of décor never hurt anyone. Use unexpected items like a chair for practical purposes, like holding folded towels or a basket of toilet paper. It not only adds a fun design element, but it creates more surface space for you to set necessities on.
7 Designer-Approved Bathroom Layout Ideas that Never Fail