Staircase lighting design ideas – lighting as a means of enhancing the functionality of stairs.

The role of proper staircase lighting

First of all, the light affects the person’s well-being. Staircase is not an elevator but the closed space. To make any person feel comfortable on this site, it is important to use a calm and warm source of light. It is especially important for people suffering from claustrophobia.

The intensity of light plays an important role. Strong white rays seem to push the boundaries of space, while the weak and warm ones create coziness and a sense of peace. Lighting can expand or, on the contrary, narrow the staircase space. Using the streams of light directed at a certain angle, you can visually combine the staircase area with the adjacent rooms or separate it from them.

Moreover, proper use of light allows you to emphasize the aesthetic and decorative features of the stairs. For example, if you illuminate the wooden staircase with yellowish light, the wood will acquire a beautiful shade, while the brightly illuminated dark surfaces will no longer cause a feeling of cold.

What factors should be taken into account when choosing the staircase lighting?

  • One of the main factors is a presence and location of the natural light sources. Stained-glass windows create a perfect lighting in the daytime. However, this situation is rare. Most staircases are deprived of natural light sources. Besides, at night and in cloudy weather, you will need a backlight. Therefore, the staircase will need artificial lighting anyway.
  • The choice of lighting will depend on the type of staircase as well. You can’t choose the same lighting for single-flight, double-flight, and spiral staircases. In the first case, it is enough to place the light sources at the base and top of the stairs. Multi-flight or spiral staircases will require more thoughtful lighting: complex structures should be well lit (but not too intensely, so as not to dazzle the person walking on it).
  • Organization of the staircase lighting also depends on its length. The longer it is, the brighter light it requires. Moreover, the lighting should be diffused, without causing the eye fatigue.
  • In addition, the color of the surrounding walls also affects the staircase lighting. Light and warm shades enhance the light, visually increasing the area and creating the illusion of daylight, while the dark and cold shades dim the light. Therefore, it is preferable to choose the light glossy materials for the walls surrounding the multi-flight or spiral staircases.

Types of lighting for different stairs

Like any room, stairs can be illuminated in different ways: diffused, direct, reflected and combined.

The wall lights must look harmonious. Usually, they are placed above the height of a person and equipped with diffusers or lampshades in order to avoid glare. You should determine the number, size and shape of the lamps based on the design of the premises and the space of staircase (taking into account the size and shape of the latter).

For ease of use, the staircase can be supplemented with the local light sources. They are usually placed at the junction of the wall and the stairs at equal distance from each other.

The aesthetic qualities of the flight of stairs can be improved by the lamps located at the bottom of the stairs. Neon light sources, mounted directly into the steps, not only ensure the safety of using the staircase, but also decorate it and create the effect of overflow of light and shadow. This staircase lighting technique is used to create a festive atmosphere in a crowded room. In the case when the staircase is not crowded, it is preferable to direct the light from top to bottom to dim the shadows.

Only the right choice of the staircase lighting will allow it to fulfill its functional and aesthetic tasks.