Converting Household Mains to 5V DC

I'm looking to do some home improvements with lights heating etc using AVR chips but these obviously need a 5V supply. Basically I want to get a 5V DC supply from my Live, earth and neutral wires.

I thought about transformers or potential dividers but wondered maybe if there was a Module which offers a better solution.

Any Idea's?

You can buy a simple unregulated wall wart and add a regulator IC or get a regulated 5V supply like these ones.

It's possible to use a transformerless power supply but it's only safe if the 5V is treated with the same caution as the mains.

yeah,,, talk about a "hot chassis" device...

go with the suggestion of using a wall wart and regulating the output voltage to +5V, or get a 5V switching supply type wall wart. without the proper isolation between line (mains) voltage and the equipment you're adding or building, you are asking for trouble.

direct rectification and regulation may seem more efficient, but you end up with your output "ground" and +5 rails having the AC line voltage superimposed on them, which is very dangerous.