A staircase is the glue that holds a home together. It ties rooms and people allowing for a seamless interior. To enhance functionality in this area, you should consider staircase lighting. Installing light fixtures in this area serves both practical and décor roles. It helps to highlight interior design elements in the room while enhancing safety. Accidents can be easily avoided by brightening up dark areas where one can easily trip and fall. But, there is an art to staircase lighting.
Keep reading to learn how to properly light your staircase.
Types of Staircase Lighting
Before you light up your staircase, you should identify the options available. Then, decide on the one that best suits your home style. Listed below are the types of staircase lighting you can explore.
Ambient Lighting
In this case, there’s only one primary light source that will illuminate the staircase. Popular light fixture designs are pendants, chandeliers, flush mounts, and recessed lights.
Accent Lighting
If you’re looking to highlight your stairway further, you can add accent lights. It also helps to enhance the aesthetic appeal of textured elements in the area. Wall sconces and tracking lights are a popular choice for most homeowners.
Task Lighting
You can use this lighting option for the staircase landing as it’s usually darker than other parts of the stairwell. The light fixtures tend to be brighter. But, it’s not always necessary. It’s more ideal for a kitchen island or study table. You can turn your staircase into a stunning décor centerpiece for your home with just ambient and accent lighting.
Ways to Light a Staircase
Homeowners should embrace layered lighting to properly light up their stairways. Here are three top recommended lighting options you can use.
Ceiling Lights
You can use pendant lights and chandeliers to light up your staircase. They’re popular light designs that provide general light to the area. Given how long they have been in the market, there’s a variety of styles, shapes, and designs to choose from. They’re the perfect light fittings for adding an elegant and classy vibe to the home. Explore the Bely Nordic Gold Long Stairwell Chandelier to enhance your staircase lighting.
Wall lights
Want to add a touch of drama to your staircase? Then, wall lights are your best bet. They add a soft glow to the space creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
Step Lighting
This lighting option is ideal for floating staircases. It allows you to install light fittings under each tread. The design is guaranteed to create a whimsical and dreamy atmosphere. It also provides a soft glow that illuminates the steps adequately to minimize safety hazards.
Banister Lighting
Skip the step lights and go for unique banister lighting. You can use LED strip lights for this. Wrap them around the stair rails for a cozy and calm ambiance. They help elevate your home aesthetics significantly. You can also use fairy lights to light up your stairway. Guests are guaranteed to love this lighting option. Your pockets too thanks to the energy efficiency of these light fixtures. You can also pair this lighting with any of the options listed above to enhance functionality and visual appeal.
Factors to Consider for Proper Staircase Lighting
Lighting is a key element in interior design primarily for illumination. Given that safety is a top priority, it should be done correctly to avoid issues like glares and breakage. Here’s what you should consider:
Color Temperature
The lighting option you choose shouldn’t be harsh on the eyes. Go for low-glare light bulbs add a soft glow to the space and minimize safety hazards. This allows you and your guests to get a clear view of each step as you move up and down the stairs. Learn more about choosing the right lighting in our comprehensive guide to lighting color temperature.
Spacing and Layout
Deciding how your stair lights will be mounted is necessary. Whether you go for wall lights or a recessed lighting option, you must ensure that lighting in the area is balanced. Interior design experts recommend that you install the first light on the second step above the bottom-most stair. Your last stair light should go above the highest step. This ensures that light is evenly spread throughout the staircase landing which is often the darkest part of a stairway.
If you’ve got a middle landing in your staircase, you should install two wall lights on each side. You should then install a stair light after every 350mm. This is approximately after every third step on your stairwell. However, if the light beam produced is narrow, you can reduce this distance for optimal illumination.
Height
The optimal height for mounting or hanging your staircase lights depends on the lighting option you choose. For pendants and chandeliers, you should account for at least 2.5 inches for every floor of ceiling height. Meanwhile, other light fixture designs like wall lights should be mounted at least 200mm above each middle step. This guarantees an overall balanced look and feel in the space. Here’s a guide for hanging light fixtures properly:
|
Ceiling Height (Feet) |
Chandelier Height (Inches) |
|
8 |
20 to 24 |
|
10 |
25 to 30 |
|
12 |
30 to 36 |
For more tips, check out our guide on choosing the right size staircase chandelier.
Style and Aesthetics
Lighting is a vital aspect of interior design. Sadly, most homeowners tend to overlook it, especially when it comes to staircases. The stairway lighting you choose should complement your home style. Modern homes blend well with light fixtures featuring clean lines and sleek designs.
A good example is recessed lighting. If you prefer a more traditional look and feel, chandeliers and wall lights may work better.Explore top staircase chandelier designs for modern homes to find inspiration.
The Benefits of Proper Staircase Lighting
Staircase lighting is a great way to add elegance and style to a space. Selecting the right lights goes a long way toward enhancing your ambiance. Here’s why you should invest in good staircase lighting.
Aesthetics
The design of your stair lights can impact the overall ambiance and interior design of a home. Staircases are one of the high-traffic areas, hence the need to ensure they look good, especially for guests. Whether you choose to use fairy lights or wall sconces for illumination, stair lights are guaranteed to elevate the look and feel of your stairway.
Safety
This is the primary reason why you should invest in staircase lighting. You need to ensure that every step is well-illuminated to prevent accidents. One can easily miss a step and fall if the stairway isn’t well-lit.
Ambiance
Lighting helps to brighten up a space making it feel warm and inviting. Properly firing light onto your stairway helps to beautify the space and make it homely.
Enjoy Optimal Staircase Illumination Through Proper Light Installation
Whether you want to add a flair of charm to the space or prefer a clean, minimalist light fixture, you’re guaranteed to find staircase lighting that suits your style. However, many get it wrong when it comes to installation. Now that you know how to properly light a case, you’re on your way to becoming an interior design pro. Don’t wait any longer.
Embrace the practicality and aesthetic of stairway lighting and light up your space elegantly and stylishly. Let your staircase ambiance reflect your personality and style! Discover more options in our staircase chandelier collection to find the perfect fit for your home.
