In many rooms, lighting plays a special role: depending on the intensity, tone and temperature, you can transport people into a completely different space.
However, there are some spaces where lighting is not only crucial for aesthetics. It is also crucial for safety. This is the case for projects that include staircase lighting design.
Do you want to turn the staircase lighting in your projects into a design element? In this guide, we will look at the main factors and options you should consider.
Stairs: special attention for safety
Proyecto: MYCSA | Interiorismo: EMMME Studio | Fotográfa: Lupe Clemente
Of all the parts of the interior of a building, stairs are a very important point where a small slip can have consequences for people's safety. As professionals, we should take into account the most appropriate way of lighting to avoid glare and loss of balance that can lead to unwanted falls.
For example, in the case of a staircase that is illuminated with a spotlight, directly into the eyes of the users, it could surprise or hinder the person's vision, and hinder their main objective: to pass from one room to another.
So what should staircase lighting look like? The best practice will be to show the way through a light oriented to the steps: we will indicate where to put the foot on each step. However, we can also play with the lights to make it a decorative space.
3 options for staircase lighting
We have already seen the importance of maintaining strategic lighting that helps people to walk on the stairs... But what options do we have to create this effect? Let's take a look at them below.
- Plaster luminaires: this type of lighting is integrated into the wall, and are ideal for creating a sensation of total integration of the lighting with the space when passing through, as they are totally camouflaged in the passage area.
- Flush lighting from the wall: consists of illuminating the steps from the bottom of the wall next to each step to avoid glare and ensure good lighting to prevent falls.
- LED strip in handrails: LED strips are installed under the staircase handrail to ensure a good view, attractive aesthetics and avoid annoying glare.
These are three types of luminaires that can be installed to light this space. However, the choice will depend on the type of lighting you want to combine: decorative or functional. Let's see how you can play with them.
What types of lighting can be used in a staircase?
Deciding what the function of the lighting is going to be is a fundamental step in making the right choice of luminaire.
Functional staircase lighting: leading the way
On the one hand, we have functional staircase lighting, where the most relevant thing will be to accompany the person. That doesn't mean it can't be elegant!
In fact, an ingenious way is to do it through LED strips in the handrail. This way, the user will clearly know where to hold on to in case of loss of balance.
You can also do this by illuminating the plane of the step, from the wall or even from the bottom of the step, thanks to an LED strip that is pre-fitted into the step.
Another option that allows you to light this space in a functional way is with a wall recessed luminaire that illuminates the step flush with the wall.
Projecte: Habitatge a Menorca | Interiorisme: Maria Villalon Studio | Fotògraf:: Alberto Monteagudo | Arquitecte: Lorenzo Seguí
In this way, you can indicate each step to the person, fulfilling the main purpose: to make it a safe passage area. To achieve this type of lighting, you can use collections such as Plas.
Decorative staircase lighting: playing with space
On the other hand, we can also play with staircase lighting to make it decorative. However, we must pay special attention. Why? Well, because the most important thing is to avoid glare that can hinder the passageway.
Projecte: MYCSA | Interiorisme: EMMME Studio | Fotográfa: Lupe Clemente
For this reason, you should avoid overhead spotlights at all times, because if you light from above, people will have difficulty seeing their own steps. Remember: even if it is decorative lighting, safety comes first.
So what kind of lighting can we use? For example, install wall lights that highlight the staircase decoration such as pictures or photographs.
On the other hand, you can also play with LED strips in recesses. In this way, you create an enveloping lighting that is very pleasing to the eye, as the light source is not visible to the naked eye.
Another option to achieve this is to play with elegant wall luminaires, such as our Tou, Cotton or Oslo luminaires.
Accompanying the person with staircase lighting
Project: Basement flat | Interior design: Lucia Buiza Interiors | Photographer: Pablo Gómez-Ogando Rodríguez
Undoubtedly, the most important thing in staircase lighting, whether decorative or functional, is the safety of the user. To achieve this, as a professional you must ensure that it is not a direct light that can dazzle the user... Especially if we are talking about projects such as hotels or homes, where it is very likely to be used at night.
Taking care of the lighting is a fundamental part of an architectural project, as the atmosphere that is created depends on it. Do you have any doubts about how to light a specific space? At Faro, we will be happy to help you in a personalised way.