Here is how we ended up doing our J&J bath in a single story build. Original on the left, revised on the right. Originally the bath and toilet area had 2 doors, which we moved around to have those facilities behind 1 door. The kids still have their separate sinks with a small linen closet in between. I have been in a couple homes w/ similar set-ups and it still allows for some space and privacy at the sink area. Changing the plan around like this allowed us to move the entrances to BR #3 & #4 to the same hallway and close them off to the main living area with a pocket door. Doing so also allowed the BR #5 to be further isolated, which we will be using as a guest room. Yes, we lost a closet in the back hall, but gained a linen in the J&J bath and larger bedrooms for the kids.

I really dislike the one in our house. This house was definitely designed by an architect who was showing off instead of thinking how spaces are used. In our 5-level house, one level has the two "kids" bedrooms with a landing/hallway between them. The J&J parallels the hallway. Each bedroom has its own sink and toilet, with the shower in between. So yeah, just two shower curtains between them. It's so bizarre, and I can't imagine what the kids who lived in this house initially managed. Walking through the shower to close the other door? Just don't do it.

It's so simple! When there's a bathroom designed for use by more than one person, just think about how frustrating it will be if all of the facilities are behind one lockable door. First person in locks the door and no one else can access the facilities! If these are small up through adolescent children, think how long they remain in the bathroom looking at themselves in the mirror, using all the hot water and leaving a mountain of mess behind them when they eventually depart, sometime before day's end! What's the solution? It's so simple! Design the bathroom in a segregated fashion so that private usage (toilet and bathing) are behind one door. Better yet, behind two doors! Provide multiple lavatories and storage in another accessible space! Ta-dah! Everyone can use at least part of the bathroom at the same time! It's so simple!

I don't think you will hit your elbows in a 3'6" x 3'6" shower but a shower curtain will work just fine. If you think that adding a glass down the road is a possibility, I would talk to the contractor about the extra cost involved to add a glass later as opposed to now. I see no problem with the curtain but it would allow you to take an informed decision. A curtain is also less maintenance as it is very easy to put it in the washer. Yes this shower is beautiful and the color scheme makes it looks spacious. This is something I mentioned earlier, I encourage you to put the drain in the shower in a location where you don't stand when you shower. It is more comfortable to the feet. In this picture, they put the drain far on the opposite side. They also put the faucet where it is really easy to turn on before entering the shower so you can set the water temperature before you get wet.