Recommendations for organizing lighting
When choosing the type of lighting, several features are taken into account:
- First of all, you should pay attention to the length of the descent. The longer the flight of stairs, the more light is required.
- The fixtures should emit a calm light that will not blind a person or irritate the eyes.
- Power consumption should be economical, since the lighting is intended for frequent use.
- You need to take care of safety and install an autonomous type of lighting that will operate on a battery or accumulator in the event of a power outage.
- The luminous flux should not create shadows or distort the configuration of the steps.
What kind of lighting can be used?
There are main lighting options.
Automatic backlight
Thanks to this option, the operation of light sources is greatly simplified. Smart backlighting with motion sensors, load sensors or switching on by voice command and clap, can have one mode with the same intensity or smoothly operate on a timer with a certain time delay.
In the dark, the sensors react automatically and each step is sequentially illuminated. By setting the control controller, you can set any parameters, for example, set the desired brightness level for the glow, and also select the speed at which the backlight will turn on and off. Night lighting of the stairs should not be very dynamic.
The photo shows automatic lighting of the stairs in the interior of a private house in a modern style.
Wireless lighting system
A profitable option that operates on an autonomous power supply. Such a system includes motion sensors and lamps tuned to the desired frequency. The operation of the composite modules is carried out by means of ordinary batteries.
The photo shows a flight of stairs with railings equipped with wireless lighting.
Standard wired system
Installing a traditional wired system requires certain skills, so it is better to seek help from specialists.
First of all, a competent wiring diagram is required, then all the elements of the circuit are purchased and the surfaces are prepared in order to lay the cable. An ordinary concrete surface can be grooved, and in timber or log houses, wires are laid in cable channels and special corrugated tubes.
Options for stair lighting
Popular types of lighting fixtures.
Spot lighting of stairs
The fixtures are mainly built into the wall, near which the flight to the second floor is located. The installation of such bulbs is envisaged even before the start of finishing the wall plane.
Spot lighting of steps or risers is considered convenient. To install floor lighting, spotlights are purchased and attached to the surface of the steps using self-tapping screws or a self-adhesive base. The main advantage of this type of lamps is the ability to change the direction of the light flow.
The photo shows a staircase in a private house, decorated with wall spotlights.
LED strip
It has an adhesive base, which allows you to significantly speed up and facilitate the installation process. The LED strip can have a variety of colors. The most common is white light of a warm or cold shade.
Due to the flexibility and free variation of the length of the LED strip, a wide scope opens up for the implementation of original ideas. This type of lighting is installed under the steps, under the railings of the stairs or built into a box on the wall.
The photo shows blue LED lighting of the stairs in the interior of a country house.
Chandelier above the stairs
The lamp, harmoniously combined with all the interior details and wall cladding, will favorably emphasize the surrounding design.
When using this type of lighting, the cable for connecting the lamp is hidden in the ceiling. A pendant chandelier can create high-quality lighting even for a two-flight flight of stairs. Very often, a cascade chandelier is installed in spacious houses. Light bulbs suspended at different levels provide even light for the entire lifting structure.
The photo shows a country house with a chic chandelier located above the stairs.
Wall sconces
Staircase lighting in the form of wall sconces illuminates a fairly large area. If it is not possible to make grooves in the walls for wires, the plane is equipped with a cable channel.
The sconces can be combined into one electrical circuit and a common switch can be installed. If a motion sensor is connected, it will be possible to achieve automatic switching on of wall lamps.
The photo shows the interior of the hall with a staircase, complemented by wall sconces.
Combined lighting
The use of several light sources is an excellent option for a flight of stairs to the second floor. For example, to organize only the illumination of the steps, they can be equipped with spotlights or linear lamps. Sconces are used to illuminate the entire space. Lighting devices can be switched on both together and separately.
The photo shows the lighting of the stairs with a ceiling chandelier and wall spotlights.
Which lighting arrangement is better?
Examples of the placement of light sources.
Staircase lighting on the steps
Staircase lighting is selected to match the style of the stairs and the interior design of the cottage. For such lighting, it is better to choose devices that have a soft glow that will not strain the eyes and create bright shadows.
To install the lighting, holes are made in the steps and the wiring is brought out. The bulbs are arranged in different ways in each step or every other one.
The photo shows a flight of stairs with LED step lighting.
Lighting with wall lamps
It is advisable to place the sources at the level of a standard human height, not too far from each other. This will ensure even lighting of the stairs and avoid darkening of the steps.
In terms of color and design, the lighting fixtures should be in harmony with the style of the staircase and the overall interior of the house.
The photo shows a wall with spotlights in the design of the stairs.
Ceiling lighting
Overhead lighting is considered if the ceiling plane is at least 3 meters high, since such an arrangement of lamps visually hides the area.
For the ceiling, it is better to choose lamps that have several spotlights with a diffused multi-directional light flux. Fixtures that create reflected or downward-facing light will fit well into the stairwell.
Decorative illumination of railings
Thanks to the illumination of the railings, it will be possible to give the fence a glow and visually make it lighter. For decoration, they prefer LED strip, which adds exquisite charm and even some mystery to the stairs.
Choosing lighting for the type of staircase
Depending on the material and design features, flights are divided into several types.
For a flight with steps that have a spiral arrangement, ceiling lights or devices with fastening to the central post.
Such staircase structures are considered the most comfortable and convenient for installing any type of lighting.
Wooden staircase
A wooden structure is highly flammable, so it is important that the electrical wiring is insulated. The flight should be supplemented with low-current systems and lamps with bulbs that do not heat up.
Since this material conducts electricity well, all cable wiring is equipped with flexible insulation. Such a staircase looks original in the design of outdoor lamps in the form of a chandelier or sconce. When choosing lighting for a combined structure with plastic elements, you also need to consider their flammability.
Acrylic or glass are used in the manufacture of transparent steps. As a backlight, the end side of the steps is equipped with a screen, which allows you to achieve a glowing effect.
The best option for a concrete flight of stairs is side lighting installed fifty centimeters above the plane of the steps. When the structure is high enough, a ceiling chandelier is installed.
Features of choosing lamps for lighting
Lamps have their own features and characteristics. The use of neon, halogen and LED bulbs is a traditional solution.
Neon products have a soft, diffused glow that fits perfectly into the limited space of the staircase. This type of lamps is durable, but at the same time sensitive to mechanical stress. Therefore, a reliable protective case should be provided for them.
Halogen has a brighter luminous flux, which leads to strong heating. Therefore, these models are not recommended for use on wooden flights.
LED lamps are characterized by different shapes, colors and power levels. LEDs provide economical energy consumption, have a long service life and do not heat up.
How to make step lighting with your own hands?
The step lighting device involves two power supplies. The first is used to maintain the correct voltage balance, and the second to integrate the circuit into the household network.
Step-by-step instructions
The attached instructions consistently describe all the stages of connecting the stair lighting. Therefore, any beginner can handle the installation.
For independent installation, you will need to use tools in the form of a profile for the tape, screws and a screwdriver. If there are protrusions near the steps, the LED tube is attached using an adhesive base. Otherwise, you will need to use an installation profile.
- Cut the tape to the desired width.
- Mount the profile on the steps using 4 screws.
- Fix the open LED strip to the profile.
- Cover the tape with a special insert that acts as a protector and anti-slip element.
- Hide the wires under the baseboard or steps.
- Connect the power supply, stabilizing and monitoring device.
- Close the circuit to the switch.
Video tutorial
A visual video example of installing stair lighting.
Beautiful design ideas
A new look for the surrounding space will be given by multi-colored LED lighting of the stairs. Such a design technique will create a unique and inimitable atmosphere in the interior of the house.
The photo shows the design of the stairs with multi-colored lighting in the interior of the house.
An unusual solution is to decorate the steps of the stairs with a garland, lanterns or candles, which can be lit only when necessary.
Now reading:
- Sliding wardrobe for bedroom: 60+ photos, contents and design solutions
- Advantages and disadvantages of installing a sink over a washing machine (27 photos of interiors)
- 22 Houseplants for Shady Corners: Names and Photos
- Scandinavian Bathroom: 57 Photos for Interior Inspiration
- Roman blinds: 120 interior photos and modern solutions for windows