Staircase Lighting Ideas - 5 Ways to Illuminate Your Stairs

Lighting is a big part of home decor, so it's important to consider how you want it to look when you buy new lighting fixtures for your staircase. Lighting can create a mood or set the tone for your space, but it can also be used as a focal point, highlighting a specific feature of your stairs.

Here are 5 ways to light up your stairwell in style:

• Up the riser
• Down the riser
• Install flush mount stair light
• Take advantage of wall sconces
• Recessed stair lights at the edge of treads and risers

Up The Riser

The most common type of stairway lighting is the up-the-riser type. This style of lighting fixture is hung from the ceiling above each step, and it illuminates each step as you pass by. This type of staircase light can be used with any style or design of stairs, and it's a good option if you don't want to spend a lot on your home improvement project.

The best part about this kind of stairway lighting is that you only need one outlet for all your lights! That means less work for you when installing them, which means more time in your new home with friends and family instead!

Down The Riser

If you have a modern staircase with open backs, why not light the steps from underneath. Such as the stair strip lights sitting under each stair tread and uplight the wall in the courtyard beyond, creating a slick, modern finish to this minimalist stairway.

Light at the bottom of the stairs is a great way to make your staircase feel more welcoming and create a sense of space. However, this can be expensive and difficult to achieve if you are working with an existing basement staircase.

Install Flush Mounted Stair Lights

Flush-mounted stair lights are a great option for illuminating the bottom of your stairs, as well as the landings on either side of them. However, keep in mind that these lights should not be too bright. If you're going to install flush-mounted stair lights, make sure they have dimmer switches so you can adjust the lighting to meet your preferences. Once installed and properly adjusted, these lamps will help illuminate your staircase in style!

Take Advantage of Wall Sconces

Wall-mounted stairway lights are an excellent way to add light to your staircase. They come in many styles, from simple and contemporary to ornate and traditional. Depending on the type of wall lighting you choose, it can be mounted on the wall or ceiling. If you have a large staircase with plenty of room for a light fixture at each end, this is an excellent option because it gives off lots of light through the whole flight of stairs.

Recessed Stair Lights at the Edge of Treads and Risers

Recessed stair lighting is a great way to add light to your stairs. Recessed lighting can be installed at the edge of treads and risers, or on the wall under the stairs.

Recessed lights are generally installed in pairs with one light above each tread--the fixture is encased in a box that's flush with the surface of your flooring so it's barely noticeable, but they're just as effective as higher-profile options like chandeliers or hanging pendants. Some recessed lights have glass covers that act as diffusers for a softer glow, while others come with frosted covers and emit more heat from their halogen bulbs.