Ask a Designer: 10 Clever Lighting Solutions to Make Your Stairs Shine
You don’t need to be Scarlett O’Hara to have stairs with drama. Take inspiration from these beautifully lit staircases to give yours a boost
Helen Winter
29 December 2015
Regular Houzz UK Contributor and owner of Coral Interiors, a full service interior design company based in Bournemouth Dorset.
Regular Houzz UK Contributor and owner of Coral Interiors, a full service interior... More
With so many recent advances in lighting technology, staircases can now be turned into a real feature instead of just somewhere to run up and down from floor to floor. Whether you’re using ceiling-mounted lights, LED strips or a show-stopping chandelier, your stairs really can shine. Be inspired by these sparkling examples.
Work on your walls
This striking, curvilinear staircase isn’t lacking natural light, but the wall lights (just seen) soften the contrast between the white surfaces and medium-toned wood.
Wall lights need to be installed before decorating, but they can make a huge difference to a room. You can ‘wash’ the wall with vertical light, to enhance a slate veneer feature, for example; fit uplighters to make the ceiling feel higher, or angle directional lights to draw the eye to an architectural detail or artwork.
This striking, curvilinear staircase isn’t lacking natural light, but the wall lights (just seen) soften the contrast between the white surfaces and medium-toned wood.
Wall lights need to be installed before decorating, but they can make a huge difference to a room. You can ‘wash’ the wall with vertical light, to enhance a slate veneer feature, for example; fit uplighters to make the ceiling feel higher, or angle directional lights to draw the eye to an architectural detail or artwork.
Keep it simple – but sophisticated
These stairs seem to float over this soft backlighting. The warmth and natural grain of the wood is brought out beautifully by the lighting.
These stairs seem to float over this soft backlighting. The warmth and natural grain of the wood is brought out beautifully by the lighting.
Take things step by step
This stunning staircase sweeps elegantly from floor to floor. The contrast of the grey skirting boards and staircase is brought out beautifully with inset LED lights.
Before the days of LED, you would have had to use halogen lights. These generate a lot of heat and require large transformers, which need to be concealed. LED lights run cool and are extremely energy efficient.
This stunning staircase sweeps elegantly from floor to floor. The contrast of the grey skirting boards and staircase is brought out beautifully with inset LED lights.
Before the days of LED, you would have had to use halogen lights. These generate a lot of heat and require large transformers, which need to be concealed. LED lights run cool and are extremely energy efficient.
Open up the roof
Stairways, particularly in terraced houses, can be lacking in natural light. If you’re planning a big renovation, consider adding a light well, skylight or roof lantern to flood natural light from above down the landing and stairs during the day. And what better light than that cast by the moon to add a little moody sparkle after dark?
Stairways, particularly in terraced houses, can be lacking in natural light. If you’re planning a big renovation, consider adding a light well, skylight or roof lantern to flood natural light from above down the landing and stairs during the day. And what better light than that cast by the moon to add a little moody sparkle after dark?
Make a statement
The void above a staircase is the perfect place to hang a show-stopping chandelier. This spiral design acts almost like statement jewellery for the home, adding sparkle and visual interest whether it’s lit or not.
Check out more ideas for cool, contemporary chandeliers
The void above a staircase is the perfect place to hang a show-stopping chandelier. This spiral design acts almost like statement jewellery for the home, adding sparkle and visual interest whether it’s lit or not.
Check out more ideas for cool, contemporary chandeliers
Layer your lighting
This stunning hallway and stairs are lit with wall lights, LED strips and inset floor-level lights, maximising both practical and atmospheric lighting features to dramatic effect.
Read expert tips in a beginner’s guide to LED lighting
This stunning hallway and stairs are lit with wall lights, LED strips and inset floor-level lights, maximising both practical and atmospheric lighting features to dramatic effect.
Read expert tips in a beginner’s guide to LED lighting
Try some transparency
These floating, ‘see-through’ steps are paired with glass panels to create an open feel. When the sun sets, they borrow light from the recessed shelves built into the wall.
These floating, ‘see-through’ steps are paired with glass panels to create an open feel. When the sun sets, they borrow light from the recessed shelves built into the wall.
Shine through
Turn your stairs into light boxes with translucent risers. These cast a soft, warm glow and combine with LED flush spotlights in alternate treads.
Just think of the options with this look – from high-end onyx to perforated designs and coloured acrylic, you can really make your stairs a talking point!
Turn your stairs into light boxes with translucent risers. These cast a soft, warm glow and combine with LED flush spotlights in alternate treads.
Just think of the options with this look – from high-end onyx to perforated designs and coloured acrylic, you can really make your stairs a talking point!
Love lanterns
With a stunning open staircase and masses of natural light, the wall lanterns complement this Moorish scheme beautifully. Imagine the romantic atmosphere the lamps would create when night falls.
With a stunning open staircase and masses of natural light, the wall lanterns complement this Moorish scheme beautifully. Imagine the romantic atmosphere the lamps would create when night falls.
Treat your treads
LED strips or tubes are incredibly versatile. You’ve seen them used under shelves, in recessed ceilings and in alcoves, but they work brilliantly shining their light from underneath individual stair treads, too, as seen in this clean and contemporary hallway.
LED strips or tubes are incredibly versatile. You’ve seen them used under shelves, in recessed ceilings and in alcoves, but they work brilliantly shining their light from underneath individual stair treads, too, as seen in this clean and contemporary hallway.
Go for glass
Glass balustrades and panels are very much in vogue, and can completely transform the light and sense of space. Why not add colour and a futuristic edge with LED lights shone through the glass panels, as in this Surrey home?
TELL US…
What kind of lighting do you have on your staircase? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
Glass balustrades and panels are very much in vogue, and can completely transform the light and sense of space. Why not add colour and a futuristic edge with LED lights shone through the glass panels, as in this Surrey home?
TELL US…
What kind of lighting do you have on your staircase? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
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I love the stairs in the first photo - practical and stylish and not gobbling space. Perfect.