Table of Contents
Modern stairway lighting is an important element of the lighting in your home. Stairways are transitional spaces that hold a lot of potential for decoration and style while also deserving emphasis on safety while traversing them.
Lights for stairs and landing areas can accomplish both of these elements. Below, you can find some ideas on interior stairway lighting, including stairway light fixtures that you can include in the space.
How to Light a Dark Staircase
If your staircase is a dark place that is difficult to navigate, it’s important to bring in as much light as possible. You can create lighting from above using stair well pendant lighting and bring it all the way to the base of the steps through recessed stair lights. Clear up any shadows by also installing stair wall lights.
Another way to lighten a dark staircase is to change the colour of the walls themselves. Repainting the walls of the staircase and the landing to a lighter colour can help light reflect more easily, effectively brightening up the space. Adding a mirror along the wall or using lights with metallic finishes may also help you achieve similar results.
Types of Staircases to Consider
When lighting or even just decorating your stairs, the style and shape of your staircase should be taken into account.
– Straight Staircase –
As their name suggests, a straight staircase has a single, linear flight of steps that are not broken up by a landing and have no change in direction. Wall lights can add some visual intrigue to the space.
– U-Turn Staircase –
Also known as the half-turn staircase, this type of staircase features two flights of stairs. They meet in the middle at a landing and go in two opposite directions. Here, you can take advantage of the landing by hanging a large statement pendant.
– Winding Staircase –
A winding staircase has a 90-degree turn but features no landing. You can outline the shape of the staircase itself with low level or tread lighting on each of the steps, accenting their appearance while providing ample lighting.
– Curved Staircase –
A curved staircase is there to make a statement all on its own. It tends to have a sweeping curve that rises along the wall and is often complemented by a curved banister. Here, you can benefit from having recessed wall lighting along the base of the stairs.
– Spiral Staircase –
A spiral staircase oftentimes has a central post that has steps spiraling upward from the floor. These are often employed in places where space is limited. Due to this, you can expect smaller stretches of wall space. Recessed lighting or low level lighting tends to work well here.
– Open or Floating Staircase –
This type of staircase has no uprights between the stairs, making it incredibly modern. This type of staircase benefits from having lights underneath, creating a soft glow while also making each step clearly visible.
Lighting a Narrow Staircase
Narrow hallways already run the risk of being cramped on their own. Adding bulky lights can only make it worse by making the space feel cluttered. Stair tread lights that sit low to the ground can prevent this, as the lighting will be at your feet. This will provide indirect but ample lighting without getting in your way.
You can also line up interior wall lights to help you navigate its length without it feeling like a never-ending space. Wall uplighters can create a similar effect when placed along the floor, as they will shine up from the lower area of the wall up to the middle or top. This can bring light throughout the entire staircase while still keeping fixtures to a minimum.
There are many ways that you can light up your staircase. Below are some general tips and guidance for you to consider when planning your stairwell lighting.
How to Light Up the Stairs from Below
Recessed wall lights for stairs are a popular choice, especially for curved staircases. Using recessed uplights, you can shine illumination under the curve of the stair from beneath it. This can elevate the general lighting levels while also putting emphasis on the curve of the stairs as well as their texture.
How to Make a Statement with Staircase Lighting
Pendant lighting can go a long way toward getting rid of that dead space in a stair landing. A ceiling pendant light with a dramatic shape or style can fill in that vertical space and add a fabulous focal point at the same time.
How to Incorporate the Lights into the Surrounding Décor
The staircase is a part of your home and is likely visible from the moment you walk in the door. With proper use of stairway lighting fixtures, indoor décor can flow easily from one space to the other. Choose fixtures that match the surrounding area, such as metal or black on black.
Consider Wall Décor
If you have a lot of empty wall space, such as on a staircase landing, adding art and other wall décor can help spruce it up. Using spotlights, you can create a gallery-like feel in your hallway and give it plenty of personality.
Layer Your Lighting
Much like other areas of the home, it is important to layer the lighting in your stairwell. Wall mounted stair lighting paired with ceiling lighting can take care of the ambient and accent layers of lighting, making the space seem more cohesive and better lit.
Incorporate Low Level Lighting
Choosing recessed lights for your staircase will immediately give it a nice, warm glow while highlighting the stairs themselves. When they sit low to the steps, LED stair tread lights can easily shine light over the area you will be stepping on, making the space safer to navigate at night.
Don’t Neglect Wall Lighting
Surface mounted LED wall lights can fill in the empty spots on the walls of your hallway, enhancing its appearance. They can also break up the appearance of a long and monotonous hallway with lights scattered throughout.
Focus on Contrast
You can incorporate visual intrigue into the staircase by contrasting its lines with the light you choose. For instance, staircase ceiling lighting that hangs from a long wire can provide straight lines against the curve of a spiral staircase.
Atmospheric Wall Lighting
Stair case lights can also be used purely as accent lighting to dress up the transitional area in your home. Atmospheric wall lighting that has a unique and decorative appearance can lead guests up the stairs while giving them something beautiful to behold as well.
Add Some Whimsy
By draping the staircase with fairy lights hanging vertically, you can add a lighthearted look and feel to the space. Fairy lights are a bit playful, while providing a small amount of light.
Wall Colours for Your Stairway
Ultimately, the colour and décor that you have in your stairwell come down to preference, but there are a few common colour schemes you can consider when lighting your own.
- GO DARK AND BOLD – If you have a short staircase where you want to add drama, having dark wall colours can help you accomplish this. Black walls with golden light fixtures, for instance, bring about an air of elegance and can transform your space into something sophisticated and moody.
- BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL – For long hallways in open, airy spaces, using brighter, lighter colours may benefit you. Having light-coloured walls such as blue, cream or light gray can make the space seem larger and open.
- NEUTRAL HUES – If you are someone who likes to change the décor and stairway lighting often, having neutral colour options is a good idea. By choosing hues that work well with various accent colours and details, you will always have a clean slate waiting for you to change things up.
Décor Ideas for Stairwells
A stairway light fixture is not the only way to decorate your stairs. While LED stair lights can add plenty of style, there are ways to step up the look through various pieces of décor.
- THROW PILLOWS – Carpeted stair landings already have a cosy look. You can enhance this mood by tossing some oversized throw pillows and cushions that match the carpet and walls onto the floor.
- COUCHES ON THE LANDING – Encourage guests to sit and rest with a loveseat or small sofa on a large landing.
- GALLERY WALL – By adding art to the landing or the wall of the stairs themselves, you can create a gallery-like feel that makes the space seem more elegant and refined.
- GET IN TOUCH WITH NATURE – Adding some greenery to a landing with natural light can make the space feel open, airy and natural.
- DECORATE ACCORDING TO THE SEASON – Whether it’s Christmastime, Valentine’s Day or someone’s birthday, you can add temporary decorations to the landing and the banister of the stairs.
Ideas for Stairwell Lighting Fixtures
When looking for a way to brighten up a stairwell, the Halo Square 1 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light makes a fine choice. This light features a square-shaped fixture that mounts to the wall and washes illumination back upon it. The fixture provides 70 lumens of 3200k warm white light, which shines out on either side like a pair of wings. The product measures only 48 millimeters by 48 millimeters, so you can easily place more than one.
Light up the individual stair steps with the LSL002 Round 1 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light. This fixture recesses into the wall and shines a beam of light down onto the steps themselves, making them easy to navigate. This light outputs 70 lumens of 3200k warm white light that is gentle on the eyes. The light is projected downward across the step, so it won’t be glaring or in your eyes.
In a transitional space such as a staircase, you can benefit from having motion sensor lights such as the LSL707 3 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light With Movement Sensor. The light will switch on when it senses movement and then turns itself off once no one remains on the stairs. This particular motion sensor light is square shaped and comes in either black or white to suit the appearance of your space. It has a sensor range of three meters, so it will always be on when anyone nears it. Each light shines 170 lumens of 3000k warm white light.
To add a more decorative touch to the stairwell, try the LWA228 4 Watt LED Round Interior Wall Light. The sleek wall light is round in shape and features a smooth, sleek exterior. From the rim shines 400 lumens of 3200k warm white light back onto the wall behind it in a halo. The faceplate comes finished in your choice of white or black to fit any style of décor. It is surface mounted but have a low profile, so it won’t get in the way or make the space feel cluttered.
Ideal for staircase landings, the Leon 12 Watt 450mm Wide Brushed Silver LED Wall Light makes an excellent source of task lighting above a large space. This light outputs 1200 lumens of bright, 3000k warm white light and is housed in a brushed aluminium frame that has opal acrylic covers both on the top and bottom, outputting the illumination above and below it easily.
Take advantage of the ample vertical space on a staircase with the LPL335 20 Watt LED Pendant Light – Up and Down Lighter. This pendant light has a dramatic appearance with its two connected bowl shapes facing in opposite directions. Lights shine both up and down from the fixture, creating ample illumination. The vibrant colour options make for a great statement pendant light especially. It outputs a total of 2,000 lumens of 3000k warm white light.
Another way to enhance the landing of your stairwell is through the LBL283 6 Watt Round Modern LED Ceiling Light. This eye-catching light features an umbrella shape with a large lamp on top and a smaller one beneath, helping to spread the light all around. The light outputs 600 lumens of 3000k warm white light that bounces around the interior of the white shade to scatter it. It comes in white, black or cherry red finishes.
