Downlighters for hallway

[spiidey]

We have a stairway/landing, that doesn't have a lot of natural light at the moment as there is no window in the upstairs landing.

We'd like to install downlighters above the stairwell, and in the landing at the top of the stairs.

The dimensions of the stairwell are shown in the picture below, along with some pictures of the stairwell/landing.

How many downlighters would others recommend, that would provide enough light for this type of space?

Existing light fitting is just a standard light fitting with a 60w bulb.

 

[sparkwright]

2.

 

[spiidey]

2.

What location would you put them in and what brightness of bulb would you recommend?

 

[sparkwright]

I was going to put them over just the landing section itself.

Seeing your latest pictures, it would be nice to have them over the stairs as well, but access could be difficult, especially if you have lights that require lamps to be replaced.

LED fittings are available now that don't require lamp replacement.

However, they can still go wrong. One expected them to last forever, but after two years of them being widely available, there can be issues with them.

Did you want them over the stairs as well?

Personally I'd leave it all as it is.

Downlighters are getting old fashioned and very 'obvious' now.

 

[deadshort]

Hi, uplighting the space will make it feel larger, two wall up lighters at each side of the door on the landing will give enough light to light the stairs. If you decide to put one down stairs remember you will see into the fitting when coming down the stairs. Add a dimmer for flexibility ( at the top of the stairs, so you don't break your neck at night !)

Regards,

DS

 

[sparkwright]

Tilting or 'eyeball' ceiling spots would help illuminate the stairs, without actually having to get a ladder over the stairs.

 

[spiidey]

I was going to put them over just the landing section itself.

Seeing your latest pictures, it would be nice to have them over the stairs as well, but access could be difficult, especially if you have lights that require lamps to be replaced.

LED fittings are available now that don't require lamp replacement.

However, they can still go wrong. One expected them to last forever, but after two years of them being widely available, there can be issues with them.

Did you want them over the stairs as well?

Personally I'd leave it all as it is.

Downlighters are getting old fashioned and very 'obvious' now.

Yeah, we are thinking of putting them above the stairs too as it would be nice for the stripes to have the light bouncing off them as it would give it a nice contrast and glow. We also find that when it's dark outside the stairway is quite dark itself, we also have a few wall decorations on the back wall of the stairs (see pic below) and it would've nice for that to also have a bit of light bouncing off it.

I hadn't thought if the access issue if the lamp goes; however thinking about that, prepared to get up there and change it - have previously had to build a platform on the stairs before, when we were painting them.

With that in mind, how many downlighters (in addition to the 2 on the landing) would you recommend over the stairs?

 

[spiidey]

Hi, uplighting the space will make it feel larger, two wall up lighters at each side of the door on the landing will give enough light to light the stairs. If you decide to put one down stairs remember you will see into the fitting when coming down the stairs. Add a dimmer for flexibility ( at the top of the stairs, so you don't break your neck at night !)

Regards,

DS

Thanks, this is also an interesting idea, what kind of uplighters would you recommend?

Also, which door on the landing would you put them either side of (there's 5 doors in total - see plan in first post).

 

[EFLImpudence]

May I ask the wattage and type of lamp that is at the top of the stairs?

 

[deadshort]

Hi, any half bowl plaster uplighter, typically 40w. You're layout is fairly standard, i normally install 1 uplighter on the return wall over the stairs and bounce the light of the stairwell ceiling. (the wall facing you as you come down the stairs.

The wall on your plan with the single door is the wall i would install 2 lights one each side of the door.

Regards,

DS

 

[spiidey]

May I ask the wattage and type of lamp that is at the top of the stairs?

60w and just the standard light fitting hanging from the ceiling i.e. Bog standard just the 200mm drop from the ceiling, no shade has been installed on fitting.

 

[EFLImpudence]

May I ask the wattage and type of lamp that is at the top of the stairs?

60w and just the standard light fitting hanging from the ceiling i.e. Bog standard just the 200mm drop from the ceiling, no shade has been installed on fitting.

Could you try 100W (or the modern equivalent) to save a lot of work?

My stairs are adequately lit with one 100W lamp.

 

[deadshort]

Yes. Or use a head torch and save doing any work ,even changing the bulb

DS

 

[333rocky333]

Being nosey
Whats the silver writing on the stair wall say

 

[spiidey]

Being nosey
Whats the silver writing on the stair wall say

A true love story never ends.

Really cheesy but actually looks quite good and anyway the missus insists!