9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety

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The very nature of stairs presents a safety issue as you move from level to level. Illuminating your stairs not only improves safety, but acts as a means of wayfinding and can create an inviting ambient glow to the surrounding area. As LED lights become more readily available, lighting options become more plentiful and more accessible to the masses.

Here are nine clever ways to illuminate your stairs.

Ways to Illuminate your Stairs

Pinlights

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
Cervantes House | © Jordi Aymerich

Pinlights and other similar recessed lights may present the most familiar look given their longevity on the market.

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
via Pinterest

Pinlights can be installed equidistant on the stairway wall, beneath the stair tread, or even within the riser.

Step

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Simes: Step

Step offers a more linear look and creates a beautiful shadow effect. If safety is your top priority, this is not the light for you. Instead, opt for a source which provides more even illumination across each tread.

Baseboard

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
Simes

Multiple companies offer baseboards with a flat channel that is designed to accommodate LED lighting.

Rope Lighting

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
LED ribbons via Home Renovation Ideas

LED rope lighting presents plenty of ways to create an even glow, beginning with placement under the nose of each tread.

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
via Pinterest

If you’re feeling more creative, create a channel within the nose of each step to illuminate your stairs. When the alter the standard height of the nose, be sure to make adjustments to the depth of the trad and the height of the riser to accommodate comfortable steps.

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
Sky Loft by KUBE architecture | photo: Greg Powers Photography

If space exists, you can create a beautiful wall wash effect by installing light behind the stringer.

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
via Pinterest

For those who prefer not to touch the stairs at all, look to your hand railing to illuminate your stairs. It’s generally quite simple to apply rope lighting on the underside of the rail, which will provide a soft wash of light onto the stairs.

Artistic

9 clever ways to illuminate your stairs for safety | @meccinteriors | design bites
Marretti: COMPON wooden staircase

COMPON is not for everyone, but certainly provides ambient lighting and showcases your stairs. While the light does bleed onto the steps and will provide a manner of wayfinding, if safety lighting is your primary purpose, you’d be wise to complement this type of lighting with an additional method.

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