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Stair lighting can make your space not only easier to traverse but more visually appealing as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at both indoor and outdoor step lighting ideas and how to incorporate stair lights into your property.
General Tips on Lighting a StaircaseÂ
When planning your stairwell lighting, there are few main ways you can accomplish this, using step lights and beyond.
- LINEAR STEP LIGHTS – By installing lights along each step, you can create a line of lighting that leads directly up the staircase, making it easier to see.
- TREADLIGHTS – Adding step lighting on the underside of the step can conceal the lighting fixture while providing ample illumination all the same. This can make the stairs a focal point in the space and give them a modern look.
- HANDRAIL LIGHTING – One of the best ways to light your stairwell is to install lights along the hand rail itself. Illuminating the rail is a big part of staircase safety lighting and can also improve its aesthetics.
- UP AND DOWN LIGHTS – One of the best lights for staircase wall areas are up and down wall washers. These lights shine illumination both up and down the wall behind it, offering a nice indirect glow and a decorative touch.
- ILLUMINATED POSTS – The posts at the top or bottom of a staircase can benefit from being illuminated, providing a definitive start and end point.
- LIGHT THE LANDING – By hanging a chandelier or other statement pendant over the landing, you can easily achieve staircase ambiance lighting.
Why Use Mini Recessed Step Lights?
Recessed stair lights can modernise any staircase and give it a more minimalistic feel. Mini recessed LED step lights are versatile in how they can be used and the benefits they can bring.
Mini recessed LED stair lights can make the stairs safer to navigate. Installing them on each step or along the wall can make it easier to see where you’re walking without fixtures obstructing your footing. This makes them particularly useful for small, narrow staircases.
Their versatile placement opportunities allow you to get creative with your installation. They can be subtly included in walls or steps, allowing them to stay hidden when they are being used.
You can use them to highlight a certain area of the stairwell, or in unique patterns and configurations. These are just a few ways that they can enhance the overall aesthetic of your staircase illumination.
When it comes to outdoor stair lights, mini recessed lights are durable and can resist the effects of the weather they are exposed to. This makes them ideal not just for outdoor step lights but for use as pathway lighting and beyond.
Ways to Switch Recessed Step Lights On and OffÂ
When considering various stair lighting design tips, it is important that you plan how you will switch the lights on and off. There are a few different ways you can do this.
- STANDARD SWITCHES – Using remote controlled or wall mounted switches, you can manually control the lights yourself.
- TIMERS – Putting a light on a programmable timer will automatically turn the lights on and off for you. This is a particularly good choice for stair lights outdoors.
- MOTION ACTIVATED STAIR LIGHTS – Motion activated lights will wait to turn on until movement is sensed by the stairs and will turn off once again when movement is no longer detected. This type of mechanism makes for great energy efficient step lighting solutions as it will only use energy when necessary.
- SENSOR LIGHTS FOR STAIRS – Deck step lights and other outdoor lighting can benefit from daylight sensors on the lights. These will operate according to the levels of natural light in the area, which also makes them energy efficient.
- SMART HOME SOLUTIONS – You can incorporate your lights into your smart home system and control them that way instead. Using your phone or even your voice, you can remotely control the lights.
Where to Position Recessed Stair and Step Lighting
Stair lights, indoor and outdoor alike, work best when they are properly placed on the stairs. These can look different with indoor and outdoor stair lights.
Interior step lights can be placed beneath the treads of the steps, providing concealed illumination. This will highlight every individual step and reduce glare while doing so. Similarly, you can also place them on the vertical risers found between each step, which illuminates the entire staircase in an aesthetic manner.
Lighting the handrails using mini recessed lights behind them can bring an elegant look to the stairwell while also making it safer to navigate. This is a particularly beneficial way to light narrow staircases. Recessed ceiling mounted lights can also work well in these areas, as they can shine light from above without causing visual clutter.
Outdoors, you can similarly place recessed lights along the step treads and the risers. Deck stair lights especially benefit from these. Get the most out of the recessed lights by using them in the pathways leading to the stairs.
You can also use recessed lights in the walls near the staircases to provide a more even lighting style and highlight the architectural elements of the stairwell. The same can be said for any deck or balcony that the steps may lead to.
What Does Colour Temperature Mean, And How Do You Choose The Best For You?
Colour temperature is a way to indicate the light’s warmth or coolness levels. Lights exist on a spectrum of Kelvin units that runs from 1,000 to 10,000. The closer the light is to 1,000, the warmer it will be. Conversely, the closer it is to 10,000, the cooler it will be.
Colour temperatures all have their place in different areas and zones. Typically, it comes down to preference. That said, there are a few general tips to think about when selecting the colour temperatures for your space.
If you want to achieve a warmer, cosier and more inviting look, you can choose warmer colours. Warm white colour temperatures around 3000-3000k are best for the job. They give off a nice warm glow while still being crisp enough to be able to see.
Cool lights, on the other hand, are good for areas you want to feel brightly lit and energetic. These tend to be lights from the 4,000k mark and beyond.
For staircase lighting, both warm and cool colours can be used effectively. It all comes down to what you want to accomplish there.
What Step And Stair Lighting Can You Use Outdoors?
Outdoor step lights for concrete and other material bases have their own requirements, which differentiates them from indoor lighting. This is due to the fact that these lights are exposed to weather and elements in a way that interior lights are not.
Stair lighting outdoors will require a much higher IP rating than other types of lights for this reason. IP ratings are ways to judge a light’s ability to resist moisture and debris damage. The Ingress Protection scale involves two digits, one for each kind of material.
First Digit – SolidsÂ
0Â –Â No protection against solid objects
1Â –Â Protection against solid objects that have a diameter larger than 50 millimeters
2Â –Â Protection against intrustion by fingers or other objects larger than 80 millimeters in length or 12 millimeters in diameter
3Â –Â Protection against wires, tools and other objects thicker than one millimeter
4Â –Â Protection against solid objects that have a diameter larger than one millimeter
5Â –Â Protection against smaller amounts of dust
6Â –Â Completely dust tight
Second Digit – MoistureÂ
0Â –Â No protection from moisture
1Â –Â Protection against condensation and dripping water
2Â –Â Protection against water dripping vertically
3Â –Â Protection against water that is sprayed
4Â –Â Protection against water that is splashed
5Â –Â Protection against projected water
6Â –Â Protection against extreme jets of water
7Â –Â Protection against temporary immersion
8Â –Â Protection against long-term submersion
When it comes to outdoor stair lighting, you will need a minimum IP rating of IP65. This will protect the fixtures from even the smallest debris, as well as any stronger sources of water, such as driving rain.
Ways To Use Stairs and Step Lights for Outdoor LightingÂ
Incorporating step lighting into your outdoor space requires that you follow a few steps to accomplish this. The first thing you will need to do is figure out the purpose of the step lighting. That is to say, are you more concerned with safety and practicality, or are you focused on aesthetics?
Once you know how you want to use the lights, you can move on to picking the kinds of step lights you want to install. These include:
- Riser lights installed vertically onto each riser of the steps
- Surface mounted lights
- Recessed lights
- Tread lights beneath the stairs
Then, you can plan how you intend to use the step lights. Be sure you are positioning them in such a way that they will shine light across the stairwell efficiently. The installation itself will be better handled by a qualified electrician to ensure safety and proper installation.
If you have a narrow stairway, it’s a good idea to install a single light in the centre of each stair. For wider staircases, such as a deck or patio, spacing lights out in a wider configuration is a better idea.
You can also work the lights into the landscape instead of the steps themselves. Just place the lights on either side of the path tucked away in the ground or foliage.
Downlights on garden walls near steps can create a nice indirect glow while still providing enough illumination to easily see. You could also install low level recessed lighting here to accomplish a similar glow.
Are Solar Step Lights Any Good?
Solar lights have a number of benefits that draw people to them. Perhaps the most attractive benefit is energy efficiency. Since they use solar power instead of electricity, they put no strain on the power to run. This can reduce your environmental footprint.
These types of lights are also generally easy to install. Most of the time, you can just place them on or in the ground, since they require no wiring. Their wireless nature also means you are not limited to where you place them.
Solar step lights can work well in some outdoor lighting schemes, but there are some things that should be considered before you purchase them. For example, they may not work well if you live somewhere with limited sunlight, since solar lights rely on the sun. Furthermore, you may notice that the lights do not shine as brightly as you may hope if the solar lights you’re using have a weak battery.
Alongside ensuring that the lights will have a lumen count that is suitable for your needs, you will also need to consider other weather-specific things. For example, you’ll have to take special care to ensure the lights are durable and weather resistant with an IP65 rating. These can be tricky to find with solar lights.
Can LED Step Lighting Be Used For Emergency Lighting?
Step lighting is often reserved for supplementary lighting, but in some cases, it can be used as security lighting. Step lights can provide emergency lighting in certain locations, such as exit routes and staircases. They are also beneficial when connected to motion sensors, as they can turn on without human interference, which will come in handy during an emergency.
Their general low level lighting can provide much needed concentrated light along footpaths, which can also make a huge difference in an emergency situation. In order for all of this to work, you will need to ensure that the lights are connected to a power source that will stay on even during a power outage.
Ideas for Stair Lighting
The Halo Round 1 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light makes a great choice around staircases and can be recessed low in the wall. These lights are round and sleek with their brushed aluminium finish that lets them work well in any outdoor space. They output 70 lumens of 3200k warm white light that shines from either side, washing light on the wall behind it. It measures 10 millimeters by 48 millimeters with an indoor IP20 rating.
Light up your hallway and staircase with the LSL009A Round 1 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light. This wall light outputs 70 lumens of 3000k warm white light and can be installed in concrete or drywall. The fixture measures 46 millimeters in diameter and features sleek polished aluminium that makes it well suited for placement in outdoor spaces of any style. The light is rated IP20 for indoor use only.
Shine plenty of light along each of the stairs with the LSL001 Square 1 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light. This wall light shines 70 lumens of 3200k warm white light out in front of it at a wide angle, offering ample illumination. It measures 48 millimeters by 48 millimeters and recesses neatly into the wall behind it. The brushed aluminium finish gives it a modern finishing touch.
Enhance the look of your staircase while making it easier to see with the LSL707 3 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light With Movement Sensor. This light will turn on when it senses movement within three meters and will stay on for 30 seconds after it has been activated. It generates 170 lumens of 3000k warm white light that shines from the slatted faceplate, available in either black or white. Overall, it measures 90 millimeters by 90 millimeters by 40 millimeters in size.
Keep it simple with the LSL009 Round 1 Watt Acrylic Recessed LED Wall Light. This wall light features an acrylic covering that softens the 70 lumens of light, offering a warm glow. It is capable of being installed both in drywall and concrete, making it quite versatile in terms of placement. The light measures 46 millimeters in diameter and is rated IP20 for interior use.
Enhance the look and safety of your staircases with the ODL041 1 Watt Square Recessed Black Outdoor LED Wall Light. This wall light shines 70 lumens of 3000k warm white light through the keyhole cutout, washing the floor in front of it with illumination. It measures 60 millimeters by 60 millimeters and is fashioned out of high quality aluminium with an anodized black finish.
Give your outdoor area a modern touch with the ODL043 1 Watt Square Halo Effect Recessed Black Outdoor LED Step Light. This square-shaped step light is manufactured out of premium aluminium with an anodized black finish and measures 60 millimeters by 60 millimeters in size. It outputs 70 lumens of 3000k warm white light that shines a halo on the wall around it for an artistic touch. An IP65 rating protects it against the weather.
Make your stairs safer and aesthetically pleasing with the ODL701 3 Watt Round Black Recessed Outdoor Wall Light. The wall light is round in shape and recesses into the wall behind it, showing only its black faceplate. It outputs 300 lumens of 3000k warm white light that shines in a beam ahead of it. An IP65 rating makes this durable aluminium fixture durable enough to withstand the effects of the elements. It measures 83 millimeters in diameter.
The ODL703 3 Watt Rectangular Black Recessed Outdoor Wall Light is a sleek, modern step light that generates 300 lumens of 3000k warm white light. The LED bulbs are housed within a durable aluminium body that is finished in a neutral black hue, perfect for installation in walls of any colour. The fixture measures 103 millimeters by 58 millimeters in size and is IP65 rated to protect it from the elements.
With the ODL704 6 Watt Rectangular Black Recessed Exterior Wall Light, you can shine plenty of light on steps and landings alike. This fixture is built to last from high quality aluminium with an IP65 rating that protects it from damage. It measures 147 millimeters by 86 millimeters in size and comes in a neutral black finish.
