Recessed lighting will not properly light mirror areas.
Bathrooms are excellent candidates for recessed lighting because these fixtures do not take up any room space. When planned and placed correctly, they offer an even, soft light and enclosed fixtures are safe for damp environments, such as shower areas. Use glass lenses on your bathroom recessed lights. Plastic may discolor over time in the warm, damp environment.
Fixture Type
Choose a fixture that takes "A" type light bulbs for soft, even light in your bathroom. Harsh lighting makes personal grooming more difficult and is not pleasant for relaxing activities such as bathing or personal care treatments such as foot soaks, facials or hair styling. Frosted glass on the recessed light enclosures will further soften the light, creating a bright but welcoming atmosphere in one of the most heavily used rooms in your home.
Placement
Place your recessed light fixtures directly over the areas where you will need the light most. Recessed fixtures tend to cover a 4-foot by 4-foot square ("R" and "PAR" light bulbs cover less area-another reason to stick with "A" type bulbs), so divide your bathroom into squares of that size when determining placement. Remember that the light should be at the center of that square, and having the edges of certain areas a little dimmer is OK, so one light can cover a 2 1/2- by 6-foot tub in most conditions. Try to keep fixtures at least 2 feet away from the walls, otherwise you will lose some of the functional light as the wall blocks it.
Control
Place your recessed lights on a dimmable switch so you can control the amount of light in your bathroom. This way, you can check your nighttime look accurately in the mirror or set the mood for a relaxing bath, yet still have the capability for bright overall lighting.
Use Selectively
Recessed lighting is fine for general bathroom lighting or shower enclosures, but make sure you have a different light source for both vanity and full-length mirrors. To see your image in the mirror properly, without shadows, you need soft lighting that comes from in front of you, rather than above. Supplement your recessed lighting with a vanity bar light for mirror-gazing.
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