Proper lighting of stairs in a house or on the street can solve many problems. Among them, the most important are safety and usability, improving aesthetic qualities. In both the first and second cases, it is necessary to choose the right level of illumination, its type, as well as the basic concept of the interior or facade.
Rules for organizing stage lighting
Local staircase lighting is the most common option, and various types of lighting are used. They may be:
- external (consignment notes);
- built into the railing;
- built in steps.
The popularity of local staircase lighting is due to a large number of advantages:
- ease of installation, wiring (there is not always a need for aesthetic design, for example, when the lamp is located under the step);
- the correctly selected type of lighting and the location of the lamps to illuminate the steps of the stairs allows you to give the interior status and elegance;
- lights small ladder structure capable of visually enlarge dimensions;
- Reducing the risk of injury, because the lamps are able to emphasize the beginning and end of the stairs, which reduces the risk of stumbling.
Rules fixtures selection
Features of the use of the stairs themselves impose certain requirements on the fixtures. When choosing, you need to pay attention to:
- type of lamp (for lighting steps it is recommended to give preference to halogen or LED lamps, and the second option is easier to install and has a wider range of actions);
- strength and wear resistance (the case must be metal or made of durable plastic);
- shock resistance (when climbing or descending, falls are possible, which should not affect the functionality of the lamps to illuminate the stairs);
- luminous flux (it should not exceed the norm, and also harmoniously fit into the interior design).
Downlights
This type of luminaire to illuminate the steps of the stairs fits perfectly into any interior design. They are characterized by the absence of a visible part of the hull, i.e. the whole structure is part of a step or railing. Recessed lights vary in:
- shape (can be round, square, oval, etc.);
- material (plastic, metal);
- the presence of finishes (decorative details can be made of glass, metal, by spraying or absent altogether);
- type of lighting (with an accented stream of light, used for local lighting of certain objects, or the general type, which create a diffused stream of light, thereby improving the quality of lighting of spacious rooms);
- type of construction (fixed and rotary).
The advantage of this illumination of the steps of the stairs (recessed fixtures) is the possibility of using different lamps (incandescent, halogen, fluorescent) and the location in any part of the stairs. Most often they are used for zoning space.
overhead lighting
Overhead lights to illuminate the steps of the stairs have limited use. Most often they are mounted on a wall in close proximity to the steps or mounted under them, if the design of the stairs allows. The advantage of this type of luminaire is a greater diffusion angle and brighter light.
There are also disadvantages to such light for the staircase steps. Overhead lights are much more expensive than other types of lighting. This is due to increased requirements for strength and impact resistance, because their body protrudes beyond the walls (in the case of installation near steps), which means that the risk of damage increases.
There are also some restrictions on the choice of lamps. Unlike built-in lights to illuminate the steps of the stairs, in this case it is recommended to use LED lamps, but they can have a spectrum of light that is unpleasant for the eye (this is not a drawback with LED strips).
LED strip
This type of luminaire is a complex of diodes. Their principle of operation is based on mixing radiation from crystals. In addition to ease of use and bright lighting, LED strips have other advantages:
- lack of heating during operation;
- the possibility of mounting on any surface (neither shape nor material is important, since the tape can be bent);
- the ability to adjust the size;
- radiation of bright scattered light;
- wide range of colors;
- long service life (service life exceeds not only incandescent lamps, but also fluorescent economical lamps).
You can install such lamps to illuminate the steps of the stairs (LED strip) yourself. To do this, it is enough to remove dust, dirt from the surface of the steps, then it must be degreased and left to dry. After some time, you can begin to mount the tape, for which you need to remove the protective film from it, and then simply stick the lamp to the stage.
If desired, the LED strip can be included in the smart backlight system.
Smart backlight system. Features of the use of motion sensors
A smart backlight system using motion sensors is a kind of “know-how” in the field of modern electronics. Popularity is due to a large number of advantages:
- reduction of energy costs, since the lamps only work when there is movement on the stairs;
- the lack of the need for manual inclusion, which in the dark can be problematic;
- the possibility of safe movement along the stairs with busy hands, since there is no need for a switch;
- wide color gamut (for the smart backlight system, LED lamps are most often used).
Useful Tips
Lighting stairs can be one of the ways to decorate the interior of a private house or apartment. It is recommended to observe some rules:
- when installing the backlight, you need to take into account the material from which the staircase is made, for example, it is better to choose yellow lamps for wooden steps, and if more non-standard materials were chosen for the high-tech or modern interior, then cold lighting will do;
- to illuminate a spiral staircase, it is recommended to install ceiling lights in combination with the illumination of steps (the lamps should not be too powerful at the same time), motion sensors are not out of place;
- in order to create additional comfort, you need to install spotlights to illuminate the steps of the stairs that emit diffused light, and to emphasize the classic style of the interior, it is better to choose designs with directional (but not bright) light.
The correct selection of lighting for the stairs, as well as the competent installation of lamps will not only emphasize the status of the structure, but also make it safe. A wide range of fixtures allows you to choose a product in accordance with the interior design.