Modern staircase lighting: how to combine aesthetics and safety

When planning staircase lighting, there are a few basic considerations.

• Glare-free: To ensure that steps and heights are clearly visible, the light at the stairs should not be too dim. However, light that is too bright is also unsuitable because the brightness can be blinding in the early morning or late evening. In many cases, indirect lighting or lamps with diffusers are recommended.

When planning staircase lighting, there are a few basic considerations.

• Glare-free: To ensure that steps and heights are clearly visible, the light at the stairs should not be too dim. However, light that is too bright is also unsuitable because the brightness can be blinding in the early morning or late evening. In many cases, indirect lighting or lamps with diffusers are recommended.

• Light intensity: A warm white light in the colour range of approximately 2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin is recommended for sufficient visibility and good contrast at step edges.

• Soft shadows: harsh shadows caused by one-sided direct light can be irritating, whereas a soft transition between light and shadow improves the visibility of the steps. To achieve this, the light should always fall from the top to the bottom of the landing.

• Indirect light: With indirect light sources such as step spotlights or step lighting, you can make the staircase more interesting and safer at the same time. The Gira LED orientation light shows you the way with a soft, warm white LED light. Extra benefit: You can use the LED inserts in a mix & match system with the Gira design line that best matches your furnishings. An equally practical solution is the new Gira E2 surface-mounted switch with lighting element. Thanks to the integrated lighting element, tripping hazards in the staircase are easy to spot.

Which staircase lighting is right for you depends on a number of factors: What suits your lifestyle and the existing lighting concept? How is the staircase built? Where are the electrical connections?

In many cases, it makes sense to combine different types of lighting to meet all aesthetic and safety requirements. Here is a summary of the most popular lighting options for staircases:

Which staircase lighting is right for you depends on a number of factors: What suits your lifestyle and the existing lighting concept? How is the staircase built? Where are the electrical connections?

In many cases, it makes sense to combine different types of lighting to meet all aesthetic and safety requirements. Here is a summary of the most popular lighting options for staircases:

1. The all-rounder: ceiling lights bring clarity

Bright ceiling lights bring clarity, especially in narrow, low stairwells. For uniform general illumination of the steps, wide beam angles should be used. Directional light, such as that from spotlights, is less suitable for staircase lighting.

2. Fully in vogue: LED strips for flexible staircase lighting

LED light strips are particularly trendy. Up and down the stairs, the narrow, flexible strips guide you with a modern glow of light. The emphasis on the diagonals creates a graceful effect that lends lightness even to a staircase made of solid concrete or heavy wooden floorboards. Adhesive LED strips can be mounted almost anywhere and are available in a range of lengths, some of which can be cut to size. Placed under the edge of a protruding step or even on the handrail, the strips can provide an effective accent and orientation.

3. Convenient: step lighting with recessed LED lamps on the wall

Where the staircase runs along a wall rather than being freestanding, recessed LED lights elegantly accentuate the structure of the steps and provide a pleasant basic brightness. The wall spots are usually mounted at ankle height parallel to the stairs—either next to each step or at regular intervals. A minimum of five staircase lights is recommended for around 15 steps. As a flush-mounted installation, the recessed luminaires should already be taken into account when planning the lighting in a new building or when modernising the electrical installation.

Tip: Where there are no connections for staircase lighting, battery-operated plug-and-play solutions can be an alternative. These are particularly easy to retrofit without additional wiring.

4. Staircase lighting with style: pendant lights as a design highlight

Open staircases offer a lot of upward space, which is perfect for stylish pendant luminaires. A single luminous designer piece or several pendant luminaires at different heights can add elegance to the plainest of staircases. Large globe lights in black, metallic, or gold are in fashion at the moment. But keep in mind: If the lamp does not illuminate all areas sufficiently, the lighting concept should be expanded with additional light sources such as step spots or recessed wall lights.

5. More safety and comfort: staircase lighting with motion sensors

If you forget to switch off the staircase lights in the morning rush, they can stay on all day. In this case, motion detectors save energy while also minimising the risk of accidents in many everyday situations. This is because sensor-controlled, contactless staircase lighting automatically brings light into the darkness. For example, the Gira Sensotec LED reliably switches on its glare-free light with highly sensitive sensor technology as soon as you approach the stairs. With this option, it is important to use light sources that immediately provide the desired brightness. Therefore, energy-saving lamps are less suitable for this application.