Basement Stairwell Lighting – An Aesthetic Look to Your Staircase

Choosing suitable and durable lighting for your basement stairs could sometimes be challenging. This is because Basements usually lack natural light and hence, you need artificial lighting in order to make your basement area safe as well as lightened up.

People are often interested to know “Can we add the lighting to the basement stairwell on our own”? Well, you can. If you’re planning redecoration of the place, you can do that on your own but you should have a basic know-how about the stairwell lighting. But if you’re planning a complete remodel of your staircase lighting, then you must hire a professional. Because they can guide you the best or your plans.

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Ideas for Basement Staircase Lighting

There are hundreds of different ideas about how you can lighten up your basement staircase. After a discussion with the experts, here are a few best ideas you can consider.

Stairway Walls Lighting

One simple yet very elegant way is to have the lights installed on the walls of your staircase. You have to choose the number of lights according to the length of your staircase. Also, the lights come in different sizes and shapes. So, you have a complete choice to lighten up your staircase according to you and would make your basement stairwell all lightened up!

Stripes of Light on Each Step

Another modern way is installing the stripes of light for each step. This style produces a pretty bright light throughout the length of each step. This provides an overall lightened up staircase without skipping the light on even a single step. They are very suitable for almost all the staircase types, be they a straight traditional one, around one, or U-shaped stairs.

Illuminated Railings

Illuminating the railings alongside your staircase is another great idea for staircase lighting. You can simply hang the fairy lights around the railing just as you do for your dressings or bathroom mirrors. This is probably suitable for straight staircases rather than spiral or U-shaped ones. The lighting on the railings reflects that light across the stairs and makes your staircase well illuminated.

Another option for the illuminated railings is to have the LED installed within the railing. This saves you from the effort of hanging the fairy lights around your railing and gives a more settled look.

Corner Lights

In case you don’t like the direct light for each and every stair of your staircase, you can have these lights installed on the alternative stairs as well. They make the subtle beams of light penetrate from the corners of the stairs. This would not only lighten up your basement staircase but will also avoid the unnecessary, direct light.

Hanging Chandeliers or Hanging Lights

Chandeliers give a whole different and elegant look to the stairwell just as they do for your hallways. There are different types of hanging chandeliers, specifically designed for staircases. You can either go for the casual ones or even the shiny sparkling ones as per your choice.

Another thing you can do is to go for the hanging pendant lights. They too look super adorable and give a decent yet illuminated look to your basement stairwell.

LED Glass Railings

This idea for basement stairwells is super modern and luxurious. Hence, it is not very common as well. Modern homeowners often go for this option because the LED lights are installed within the glass railings and illuminate light throughout the staircase. This makes your basement area look like a stunning extravaganza.

Ceiling Lighting

The very traditional yet very decent-looking idea is that for the ceiling lights. The ceiling lights evenly cover your staircase area and lighten up the stairs from top to bottom.

Here are some different types of ceiling lighting that you may consider for your basement stairwell:

Flush Mount Fixtures

The flush-mounted lights are pretty economical and are found in modern as well conventional styles. These lights greatly lighten up a large portion of the area, as they are attached to the ceiling. They are also available in different light types, such as LEDs, incandescent bulbs, halogen lights, etc.

Semi Flush Mount Fixtures

The Semi Flush Mount Fixtures are hung at 3 to 8 inches from the ceiling, you can say they are pretty much like the combination of hanging chandeliers and the Flush mount fixtures. They also use different types of light and provide an evenly distributed, decent light throughout your staircase.

Recessed Lights

For the Recessed lights, a false ceiling is used to hide these lights and lessen the effect of their bright light. By doing so, you can maintain maximum space height, while adding as much light as possible.

For flat ceilings, standard recessed lights work just perfectly. While in the case of sloped ceilings, you’ll have to decide accordingly. You’ll have to choose the lights that are bright enough but also, do not annoy you in your eyes.

Track Lights

Track lights are another type of ceiling light for the staircase. The track lights are not only a great option for the lounges and hallways, but also for the basement stairwells where you need just the right amount of lights to lighten up your stairs.

Why Do You Need Basement Stairwell Lighting?

First of all, the basement is the part of your house that lacks natural light, even if you have windows installed. So, the need for appropriate light throughout the basement stairwell and across the basement is pretty much obvious.

Here are the two main reasons that you need the stairwell lighting.

Increased Usability of Basement Area

Basement is the part of the house that most people do not like using much because of the fact that it’s a bit separate from your overall house. Also, the lack of natural light in your basement area makes it uncomfortable for a casual everyday use.

Hence, adding a sufficient amount of light along the stairwell and across the basement area is probably the solution to bring your basement into use, just as the other portions of the house.

More Safety and Security

The dark stairwells to the basements could sometimes be great trouble. The presence of sufficient and appropriate light makes the area safer and secured. Also, provides easy walking across the stairs, preventing you from falling or knocking around.

Our Verdict

While you’re planning the remodeling of your home, it is always recommended to hire professionals. They can guide you in a better way and help you achieve what you’ve actually wanted.

FAQ’s

How do I light my basement stairs?

There are different ways to lighten up your basement stairs but the most common and easiest way is to have a light installed above the door that goes down into the basement. This is a very effective way to lighten up your entire staircase.

Where should a stairwell light be placed?

Stairwell lights can be installed horizontally as well as vertically. All you need to do is make sure the entire area of the staircase is well illuminated, and no dark spots remain. Else, stairwell lights can be placed just as you want.

What is the best lighting for basement?

Ambient Lighting through the recessed ceilings is often considered the very best lighting for the basements. An alternative is Track lighting which is also another great way. It is more affordable as well.

What is the space under the stairs called?

The triangular space under a flight of stairs is called a spandrel if there is no other flight of stairs underneath it. It is often used as a closet for storage.

How many lumens do I need for a staircase?

The lumens you need depend on the amount of light produced by the light source and the length of your staircase. For example, in order to properly light a 250-ft path, you’ll need between 1,000 and 3,000 lumens.