Staircase lighting design — safe levels, placement and best practices
Staircases are one of the highest-risk circulation areas. Proper lighting reduces accidents, improves orientation and enhances architectural quality. Here are the essential principles.
Recommended lighting levels
- Indoor stairs: 100–150 lux at tread level
- Public / commercial: 150–200 lux
- Night mode / residential: 10–30 lux (guide lighting)
Uniformity is more important than brightness — avoid dark treads, strong shadows and high contrast.
Lighting placement
1) Wall-mounted step lights
Best for even visibility. Place fixtures 150–300 mm above tread line, spaced 1.0–1.2 m apart.
2) LED strip under nosing
Creates clear tread definition. Ensure the strip is recessed so the light source isn't directly visible.
3) Handrail-integrated lighting
Excellent for minimal interiors. Provides continuous lighting without glare.
4) Side-wall grazing light
Highlights texture but must be balanced — grazing can exaggerate imperfections.
Common lighting mistakes
- Exposed LED strips causing glare.
- Overly bright top-down fixtures that cast tread shadows.
- Warm/cool light mismatch with surrounding spaces.
- Relying on a single ceiling light for the entire flight.
Colour temperature
Use 2700–3000K for homes (warm), 3000–3500K for commercial/common areas. Avoid mixing colour temperatures within the same stair flight.
Motion sensors
Ideal for night use. Recommended fade-in times: 0.3–1.0 s. Prevents sudden brightness jumps that can disorient users.