What is a Jack and Jill Bathroom? What You Need to Know.

What is a Jack and Jill Bathroom?

The Jack and Jill Bathroom layout has become one of the most popular bath designs for house plans, and here's what you need to know.

The definition of a jack and jill bath is simple.  Its a bathroom design layout that allows access to a common bathroom area from two separate bedrooms.

Most Jack and Jill bathroom plans are popular with larger families who want to provide separate & private spaces for their kids (i.e. each having a separate bedroom), while at the same time, maximizing the usage of the common bathroom area.

Video of Jack and Jill Bathroom:

View Jack & Jill Bath video on Youtube

Example of Jack & Jill bathroom layout:

Why is it called a Jack and Jill bathroom?

The term "Jack and Jill" bathroom is called that because it's generally intended for two siblings who share a common space, similar to the nursery rhyme.

It ensures privacy, equal but separate space, and common conveniences for parents with children or homeowners who regularly have guests stay in their home.

Cost of a Jack and Jill Bathroom?

To determine the cost of a jack and jill bath, you need to determine if you're building new or renovating an existing home.

With that information in hand, if building new, the cost of a Jack and Jill bathroom layout will generally be less since you're only buying one bath/shower, etc vs what you would have if building two separate baths.

If remodeling, it really depends on the existing layout of your current house and where you're looking to locate. Generally speaking, a mid range bathroom remodel costs just under $19,000, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2017 Cost vs. Value Report. However, roughly 65 percent of those costs may be recovered if you choose to sell your home. An upscale bathroom remodel can cost an average of $60,000, with about 59 percent recouped if the house is sold.

As you begin planning how to remodel your bathroom, first think about the specific needs and wants of the people who will be using the bathroom now and in the future.

Jack and Jill Bathroom Resale Value?

If you want to know how a Jack and Jill bath will affect your home's resale value, it really depends on your specific house, where you live, whether you're building new or renovating, and what buyers in your area value most.

Generally speaking, adding a bathroom to a house will increase the value of the home, however you need to weigh the additional cost to build vs est. increase in value. When in doubt, it's always best to a Realtor in your local area.

Benefits:

• Can be less costly to build vs. building multiple, separate bathrooms for each bedroom.
• Private space for kids "mess".  Not accessible to visitors, like a normal hallway bath would be.
• Can allow for "semi-private" bathroom solution, using typically unusable space.
• Can include multiple sinks to provide more individual space to each child.

Drawbacks:

• Not as convenient when multiple people need to use at the same time (i.e. showers, toilet, etc)
• Not as much privacy as with fully separate bathrooms
• Can be difficult to make fit in certain house plans.

Conclusion:

A Jack and Jill bathroom layout can be an excellent option for many families.

After all, since the bathroom can be locked from either side, the bedrooms and baths can remain separate and private for each person.

In addition, having a jack & jill bathroom wil help your children to learn to share and to compromise on their individual "timing" and "needs" for using the bath & toilet.

Finally, there are a few conveniences that you'll want to make sure to include:

- Two separate sinks - it goes without saying that, having 2 sinks, is always going to be better than having one. This one feature can give each person their own space for brushing their teeth, putting on makeup, combing their hair, etc. and that will help to lessen any "disagreements".

- Doors that can be locked both INSIDE and OUTSIDE - this feature is very important as you'll enable your children to truly have privacy, whether they're in their bedroom or in the bath.

At the end of the day, when you're building your very own dream home, YOU have the ability to build exactly what best fits your family!