How to Light Hallways and Stairways
When it comes to lighting hallways, many homeowners already know: they’re tricky, and stairways are doubly so. Stop tripping up those steps and frightening your friends by leading them down a darkened passage. There’s a better way.
The Traditional Way
Ceiling fixtures aren’t just for the bigger rooms in your home. The right ceiling fixture can make a stylish addition to your hallways and stairways as well. The type of ceiling fixture will be determined by your ceiling’s height. Just like any other room, with a few exceptions, hanging fixtures should be 7 feet from the floor. Keep in mind that pendant light fixtures aren’t the best option for your stairs unless you have a landing halfway up. Low ceilings, tall spouses, and pendant lights are also not a good combination. Consider flush mounting fixtures or even recessed can lights. That way you can safely light your hallway without endangering any foreheads.
The Classy Way
If you have a super long hallway or want evenly distributed light down your stairs, maybe wall sconces are the solution for you. Wall sconces typically come with a lens cover to create a soft diffused light. Like the ceiling fixtures, the size of your wall sconces will be based on the size of the space, but instead of being mindful of ceiling height, you need to pay attention to the hallway’s width. Don’t pick wall sconces that stick so far out from the wall, you can’t move in the new couch into the den. This measurement is called the extension. These fixtures should be spaced about 6-8 feet apart and about 5 feet from the floor. Make sure that if you decide to place sconces on both walls, you stagger the fixtures to more evenly distribute the light.
The Bold Way
Walls with several family photos or art pieces need a different method of lighting. Track lights have multiple heads that are usually adjustable so you can aim light wherever you need it. Another incredibly versatile lighting solution is LED strip lights. You can use them in channels along the edge of the ceiling or even the baseboards. Tape light can also be used for step lighting to make your stairs safer, especially at night when you don’t want to blind yourself turning on the overhead light. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the colors. LED strip light comes in all sorts of color options.
What solutions have you used to combat your gloomy hallways and stairways? Share your results with us in the comments section below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
