What is the best way to light stairs?

If you’re considering revamping your staircase, you may be wondering what is the best way to light your stairs for optimal practicality alongside aesthetic appeal. In this article, Jackson Woodturners explore some of the best ways to light your stairs and run through other factors to bear in mind whilst designing your staircase lighting. 

So, what is the best way to light stairs? When it comes to staircase lighting, we believe it is vital to consider a range of practical and aesthetic factors. These include:

• Linear step lights
• Treadlights 
• Illuminated handrails 
• Up-down lights 
• Backlighting 
• Hidden lights 
• Step lights 
• Illuminated newels 

Keep reading to learn more about lighting your stairs and our top tips for creating a staircase you can take pride in. 

When it comes to illuminating your stairs, lighting is not purely decorative, it also serves a very real function in terms of safety. A well lit staircase can add beauty and softness to your home but also practicality. According to Luke Thomas, creative director of John Cullen Lighting, 

‘When considering lighting, the design of staircase ideas, construction and desired effects are the key elements to consider, along with finish and texture.’ 

Here are 8 of our top lighting strategies to make your staircase shine: 

Linear step lights

This revolutionary LED technology is absolutely key to many new stair-lighting techniques such as linear step lights. A thin strip of LEDs can be recessed into the wall in aluminium channels or hidden in the architecture. The resulting effect can be soft, glare-free illumination on the stair treads, just where you need it most. 

Treadlights

Another way to utilise your lighting is to conceal linear lighting within each individual tread. This is certainly one of the most beautiful and functional of all stair lighting techniques; however, often it can be the most difficult to detail and install. Lighting can be concealed in the nosing of each stair. Staircases illuminated in this way can become focal points and sculptural, whilst also providing great light. 

In particular, floating staircases are great candidates for treadlights. Linear LED strips are recessed into the underside of each step to cast light down below. This technique results in good stair illumination and can create gorgeous patterns on the surrounding areas. 

Illuminated handrails

Since the rapid increase in lighting technology over the past decade, lighting can be installed just about anywhere. Lighting can now be incorporated into the handrails of glass and cable railing systems. It can also be incorporated into wooden rails. If you’re really looking to elevate your staircase into a piece of modern sculpture, combining wood and light can be a fantastic way to do this. Illuminated handrails are also great outdoors around decks, porches and stairs. They can be integrated into many different design styles.

Up-down lights

A modern interpretation of more traditional wall sconces, up-down lights can be combined with black handrails and tile grout to push light down onto the stairs. On top of this, they also illuminate the underside of the stair run above. Fixes come in many sizes and countless finishes, making it possible to use them as a bold statement or to blend into more traditional homes. 

For more inspiration, take a look at our range of bold, stylish black metal staircase parts at Jackson Woodturners. 

Backlighting

Backlighting stone or thin-cut wood veneer is an emerging trend that takes a little extra work to design and construct, but the effect is unlike any other. Adding backlighting to your stairs is a fantastic way to make your staircase both beautiful and functional. 

Hidden lights 

Extraordinary craftsmanship can now bring us staircases that quite literally float from floor to floor with minimal connections. Lighting in the right place can accentuate the drama. Light placed on the side of the stairs facing the wall ‘leaks’ out from behind, which calls attention to the floating detail. Bear in mind that this type of stair lighting can be more aesthetically pleasing rather than functional. More light will be needed for safe travel. 

Step lights 

At the end of a tiring long day, a well lit staircase can be just what you need when you head off to bed. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Step lights can illuminate modern stairs brilliantly. They also come in many different styles and finishes, so can be incorporated into nearly every style. 

Illuminated newels 

On top of lighting treads, risers and handrails, you’ll be pleased to know that newel posts can also be illuminated. The effect is similar to adding lanterns along a path. If done correctly, this type of lighting can prove very inviting and welcoming to guests. 

Now that you know how to illuminate your stairs in different ways, let’s explore some other factors to consider when deliberating the best way to light your staircase: 

Light from below

If your staircase is curved in shape, hallway lighting ideas combined with staircase lighting can draw attention to its shapeliness. Adding recessed uplights from below can be used to wash the gentle curve of the underside of the stair. This can boost the general lighting levels of a room, helping to emphasise the textures and curves stairs can create. 

Top tip - It’s possible to create the illusion that the steps of an open riser staircase are floating by hiding the light source under each tread. 

Scale up lighting 

When deliberating between stair lights, remember to opt for lighting that commands attention with the proportion of the room. For example, if your staircase has a high ceiling, consider installing large pendant lighting. This can draw the eye and make a statement, transforming this innocuous space into a feature of the home.

Create harmony 

Try to select staircase lighting ideas that are sympathetic to the style of the staircase itself. It’s a good idea to try and match the wall and ceiling lighting with the materials of the staircase. A glass baluster is a perfect way to keep the stairwell as light as possible as its structure allows natural light through, rather than blocking it. 

For more inspiration about your staircase designs, take a look at our Interior Design Tips at Jackson Woodturners. 

Wall decor 

When you’re planning your staircase lighting, don’t forget to consider other aspects of the room, like wall decorations. For example, a staircase with a large artwork filling the wall may benefit hugely from having lighting positioned above and below it. Remember, the light should illuminate the artwork as well as the staircase to create safe passage up and down stairs. 

Layer lighting 

Like in other parts of your home, plan layers of light for the staircase and hallway below for effective and attractive illumination. You could consider stair tread lighting as well as low level lighting in the hallway to illuminate the way at floor height. Elegant lighting such as pendant lights can cast intricate patterns across stair runners and walls to make a truly impactful entrance to a home. 

Chandeliers

If you have a grand hallway, hanging a chandelier might be number one on your list of staircase lighting ideas. A chandelier complements features such as ornate, curvaceous spindles and a scrolled handrail.

Low level light

If you opt for wall-recessed lights in a staircase, there’s the possibility to enjoy different effects, depending on the level at which the lights are fitted above the staircase treads.

For a staircase with niches, wall-recessed lights can be combined with spotlights or architectural up/downlights to provide ambient lighting. 

Wall lighting

Whilst often left out of staircase lighting ideas, wall lights can play a useful and beautiful part in stair designs. Louise Wicksteed says that 

‘staircases and hallways are often forgotten about in terms of lighting and interior design. However, these spaces are important parts of the home, acting as a connection between the upper and lower floors to create flow.’ 

Contrast lines 

Create interest in your stairway area by contrasting the lines of the staircase with those of the lighting. For example, a sculptural helical staircase can be paired with the straight lines of pendant lighting to create contrast. 

Now that you know how best to light your staircase, why not take a look at our extensive range of traditional and contemporary stair parts at Jackson Woodturners. 

With our team of stair parts experts on hand, we can advise and help you plan and design the staircase of your dreams. We offer trade prices available to all so that we can help you build your staircase project both efficiently and affordably. Our price promise guarantees that we’ll beat any like-for-like quote. 

Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more.