Light serves several goals in the bathroom. The utilitarian function is obvious. But that purpose can be served in numerous ways. At the same time, there are design issues that affect the feeling of spaciousness, atmosphere and other less immediately practical issues. A bathroom lighting design scheme deserves some careful thought to address all these aspects.

There are two main areas that are usually attacked first: whole-room illumination and highlights for the bathroom mirror. Both involve issues of task lighting. But there's a third that shouldn't be neglected: accent lighting.

The main illumination for the bathroom is usually some sort of central fixture in the center of the room on the ceiling. But even within that constraint there are many choices. Elegant coverings participate in the overall design scheme. Where exactly the light is placed determines where shadows fall.

An elegant bronze design, for example, can complement the bathroom sink faucet and other controls. An old-fashioned trio of glass funnels works with that to produce a certain look of days gone by. But contemporary designs can lend the same kind of integral function. A chromed can-style light housing gives a good reflector for efficient LED bulbs, while the rim can offer a design element that matches a high-tech looking shower.

Strip lights over the mirror can serve a dual purpose, too. They provide helpful extra light for applying makeup or shaving and other grooming tasks. At the same time, both the type of bulb and the fixture are part of the bathroom's decor.

A series of cones that direct light straight down is one common choice. But a softer light can be produced by angling them up at the ceiling instead. Far from creating a dark, shadowy atmosphere as they might in the home entertainment area, bouncing light off highly reflective bathroom paint gives plenty of light.

The fixtures are equally important. They're one of the first things anyone will notice when flipping on a light switch. Even with the bulbs off, they're part of the overall look of the room. Select a fixture with the rest of the design scheme in mind. A Walnut or Teak support will lend a natural feel. A brass one will provide a bright elegance that matches the hot and cold water controls for the bathroom sink.

But consider, too, the role that accent lights can play in the bathroom. A dark corner in an L-shaped bathroom can be fitted with accent lights to throw illumination in that space. That provides a sense of spaciousness that helps the bathroom appear larger.

If the toilet sits in a nook around the corner from the sink or bathtub, a set of accent lights is perfect for creating yet another zone. It also produces a mixture of light and shadow that is a design element all its own.