Today, most homes contain two or more bath rooms: the master bath, children's bath and guest bath or powder room. While the master bath may be larger and even include space for exercise, the children's bath simpler and more functional, and the guest bath something of a decorative statement, the lighting priority in each should be given to grooming at the mirror.

Lighting at the mirror serves for cleaning, make-up, shaving and dressing. It should be plentiful, evenly distributed over the face, hair and neck, without shadows, and free from glare. Lighting placed in the center of the ceiling, puts the face in shadow and, while useful for general lighting, cannot serve well for grooming. Suggested illuminance: 10-50 f.c. Elongated lighting at the side of the mirror works best. It should be at least 16" long.

Recessed downlights have the benefit of being unobtrusive, but will produce shadows under the eyelids, nose and chin unless placed close to the mirror, spaced well apart and above a light colored counter top which can reflect the downlight upwards to erase shadows. Highly suggest using wall mounted bath lighting in conjunction with recessed downlights.

Other areas in the bathroom that should be considered are the tub, where some people like to read; an enclosed toilet; an exercise area where general lighting from recessed or surface mounted fixtures will serve to illuminate the space and closets. Suggested illuminance: 5-10 f.c

Dimmer controls are very helpful because they provide for attractive low intensity night lighting, integrated with the decor, and also because they permit persons to adopt the lighting to their individual liking.