In the bathroom, you need plenty of even, shadow-free lighting for shaving, grooming, and applying makeup. In small bathrooms, mirror lights will illuminate the entire room, but in larger bathrooms, an additional ceiling fixture is needed for general lighting. A recessed infrared heat lamp will give you added warmth on chilly mornings.

Decorative wall brackets on each side will illuminate both sides of your face evenly. You can also mount a wall bracket across the top of the mirror. Fixtures equipped with incandescent bulbs behind glass or plastic diffusers provide the most flattering light. If you opt for more energy-efficient fluorescents, choose warm white tones. They come closest to the color of incandescents.

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Around your bathroom mirror will give you the same excellent lighting the stars enjoy in their Broadway dressing rooms.

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can be adequately lighted by placing an enclosed damp-location recessed downlight in the ceiling. These downlights are also recommended over whirlpool baths or in saunas.

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Today have become versatile multi-use rooms where lighting can be critical to enhance its use. Aside from adequate light at the vanities, don't overlook lighting the tub area and any architectural features. Instead of the usual light over the bathtub water, (always have a licensed electrician do any electrical work in a bathroom. Electrical codes vary by location and safety should be the utmost concern in a bathroom) light the corners of the tub where you would place your objects d'art. Halogen lights will make your surfaces and objects sparkle, especially if they are marble or glass block. You can also light the toe kick areas of the vanity or the bath tub, to have a soft night-light type effect. Put the lights at the tub area on a separate dimmer switch for a relaxing soak in the tub.

Don't shave on the dark side. Make your bathroom functional and fashionable with the right lighting fixtures! A good lighting scheme combines ambient, task and accent lighting. The number and types of fixtures vary with room size, décor and personal preference.

Ambient lighting provides general room illumination, eliminates shadows and lights the floor for safety. A single fixture mounted over the mirror produces overall lighting but can cause shadows on the face. For areas over 100 square feet, install several recessed downlights or decorative surface-mounted fixtures. Recessed ceiling fixtures cause less glare than fixtures hanging from the ceiling. Wall lights and sconces also add necessary lighting in larger bathrooms and help define your style. Ambient lighting provides general room illumination, eliminates shadows and lights the floor for safety. A single fixture mounted over the mirror produces overall lighting but can cause shadows on the face. For areas over 100 square feet, install several recessed downlights or decorative surface-mounted fixtures. Recessed ceiling fixtures cause less glare than fixtures hanging from the ceiling. Wall lights and sconces also add necessary lighting in larger bathrooms and help define your style.

Enhance Natural Light. Depending on room size and design, sunlight may supply ambient light during the day. For bathrooms with small windows or unwanted views, consider frosted-, etched- or stained-glass windowpanes, glass block, or sheer curtains to filter in natural light while maintaining privacy.

Task lighting brightens up activity areas and contributes to overall room lighting. Vanity/Dressing Area. Ceiling-mounted fixtures alone won't do the trick in any size bathroom. Place theatrical-style lighting across the top of a mirror or, preferably, vertically down each side. To prevent shadows, arrange fixtures to direct light from above and from both sides. Use frosted bulbs or fluorescent tubes instead of clear bulbs for a diffused, softer light.

Other Activity Areas. Recessed downlights generate excellent task lighting in the shower stall and over the bathtub and toilet. The extra intensity makes a difference when bathing a child, shaving, washing the dog or reading in the tub. Consider dimmer switches on fixtures with incandescent or dimmable fluorescent bulbs. Install glowing light switches for visibility at night.

Use accent lights to highlight special decorative or structural features, such as display shelving or artwork. The light source should be about three times the intensity of ambient light. Try low-voltage halogen bulbs or a recessed downlight with an eyeball lens to direct a beam of light.

Some homeowners use artificial light and glass block to heighten the decorative effect. For example, a track with fiberoptic lighting can be fitted within a block wall. Attached to a control, the light's intensity and mood can be adjusted with a switch.

There's no single correct way to illuminate a bathroom, but make sure you have ample light for safe grooming and personal hygiene. Start every day off right.