Falls on staircases can be a major cause of accidents in the home, surprising it is often the smaller staircases e.g. split level stairs which can be the most dangerous. Often risks to a stairs user can be caused by lighting that falls in pools, leaving other areas dark or encouraging shadows when it is necessary to see clearly. It is essential that practicality and safety is placed before fashionable lighting design features.
Stairwells are quite often located near the centre of the house with only the front door and side-lights providing natural light into the stair well and entrance foyer. Skylights can provide additional natural light to the area but in their absence, artificial lighting is essential to convey a feeling of safety and security when ascending or descending the staircase.
Artificial light can be provided by a central hanging light in the stairwell or with small 'stair lights' set into the wall or the wall stringer to provide practical but unobtrusive illumination that stylishly focuses on the overall safety of the staircase user.
Your local lighting retailer should have a selection of stair lights available for you to choose from.
Diffused light created by translucent shades or other covers placed in front of either daylight or artificial light, provide an overall soft glow. This technique is excellent for halls and stair landings where close work such as reading are never done, but where you need to see steps and obstacles.
Stairwells are quite often located near the centre of the house with only the front door and side-lights providing natural light into the stair well and entrance foyer. Skylights can provide additional natural light to the area but in their absence, artificial lighting is essential to convey a feeling of safety and security when ascending or descending the staircase.
