You should never underestimate the importance of well-planned landing lighting ideas – they really can totally transform what is often thought of as nothing more than a circulation space into an area of the home that is a pleasure to be in.
Aesthetics aside, the landing ideas you opt for should also be considered in with practicality in mind. As a space that leads to other rooms, and the spot from which you step off and onto your staircase, your lighting needs to guide the way.
Here, we have brought together a collection of landing lighting ideas that manage to tick all the boxes when it comes to both style and function.
Tailoring your landing lighting ideas to your home
Just as with any kind of lighting design scheme, a very tailored approach needs to be taken when it comes to getting landing lighting just right. In short, what works for one landing space won't necessarily work for another.
Perhaps your landing receives no natural light whatsoever, in which case your artificial lighting needs will be very different to a homeowner whose landing is lit by a bank of skylights.
1. Use pendant lighting to make a bold statement
The London Lantern Pendant here from The Soho Lighting Co. costs £550 (Image credit: Soho Lighting Co.)
Pendant lights can sometimes be shunned thanks to the fact that there was a time when a single, dim central pendant in a room was about as exciting as things got. How things have changed though. Pendant lights now come in an enormous range of designs – plus people have realised they can be hung in groups or rows for a more aesthetically pleasing result.
"Pendant lights are perfect for hallway lighting ideas and stairwells due to the fact the cord can be shortened for the lower parts of the space and left longer where ceiling height becomes taller," explains Lee Lovett, co-Founder and creative director at The Soho Lighting Co.
Lee Lovett
In 2017, after struggling to find the right lighting for her own renovation projects refurbishing historical buildings in Soho, co-founder Lee Lovett established The Soho Lighting Company, creating superior lighting solutions enabled by innovative technology. Designed in London and hand-finished in Cornwall by skilled artisans, the lighting brings together the best of British talent and a considered approach to creativity.
Katalina 10-Light Cluster Pendant
If you really want to make statement, consider hanging an eye-catching multi-faceted pendant over your stairs. This one features 10 smoky glass bulbs that appear to free-fall – sure to become a talking point.
Voss Easy Fit Pendant Shade
This shade manages to be both modern at the same time as having a very classic look, thanks to the ribbed glass and slim black frame. It has a diameter of 27cm, ensuring a good spread of light too.
Tom Raffield Kern Pendant
If you love the idea of a statement chandelier but are keen to steer away from anything too traditional, this stunning oak design might be just what you've been looking for. The five bulbs give off plenty of light.
2. Add a personal touch with accent lighting
This landing has been given a soft, cosy glow thanks to the accent lighting from John Cullen Lighting. (Image credit: John Cullen)
Accent lighting is a brilliant way to highlight decorative or architectural features and while it is widely used for living room lighting ideas, it can often be skipped when it comes to landings. This is such a shame as it really can bring the space to life and give it its own identity.
"There are several ways that you can enhance a landing by using innovative lighting techniques," advises Katerina Tchevytchalova, director and interior designer at K'Arte Design. "Introducing picture lights not only provides lighting on a practical level, but can also be handy for lighting up any artwork or family photos, adding a wow factor to an area that could be seen as quite boring."
Katerina Tchevytchalova
K'Arte Design is a luxury interior design and art consultancy specialising in high-end residential and commercial projects founded by Katerina Tchevytchalova. Before launching her practice, Katerina worked in a number of design companies inLondon including 5 years at Kelly Hoppen Interiors. With an academic background inInterior Design, Art & Finance in the global market as well as knowledge of 5 languages (Russian, English, Greek, French, Italian), Katerina makes every project approachable and enjoyable for her clients, with a seamless result being the ultimate goal.
3. Flush lighting for a low ceiling
This large flush lighting is a feature in this landing lighting idea(Image credit: Sweetpea & Willow)
Unless you have high ceilings, choosing a pendant light can mean you have to make it artificially high when installing, which can look odd for light designs that are meant to be dropped dramatically over furniture or a kitchen island.
Instead, look into flush lighting for your ceilings on a landing where space is tight. Flush lighting will not only not get in the way, but can cast an even glow across the space, keeping your landing well illuminated.
4. Consider low-level lighting to add another dimension
Lights that wash the floor with light are perfect for landings(Image credit: John Cullen Lighting)
It isn't all about ceiling lighting ideas – in fact, the landing, more than any other space in the home, can really benefit from low-level or floor lighting.
"From a practical point of view, architectural low-level lighting integrated into the skirting boards provides subtle lighting and helps to prevent trips or falls," points out Katerina Tchevytchalova. "These can also have motion sensors, so the lights will slowly come on if you wake in the night."
"Complete your lighting scheme with a layer of accent lighting to provide wayfinding down the corridor," suggests Hazel Park, senior designer at John Cullen Lighting. "Cazalla skirting lights set inside skirtings can provide a nightlight whilst complementing a range of home styles."
Here, floor washers, from John Cullen Lighting, have been installed into the skirting boards to illuminate the floor and create some really eye-catching shadow effects.
Hazel Park
Hazel has vast experience in luxury residential lighting design having started in 2013, collaborating with top industry professionals and clients in London and overseas. She has worked on a wide variety of interior styles ranging from grade listed country manors, boutique event spaces to new build contemporary villas. With a degree in interior design, Hazel has a passion for enhancing architectural spaces through the power of light and has a keen eye for detail. Aspects of her role she enjoys includes joinery lighting and getting to know clients to turn their brief into a reality.
5. Choose a semi-flush pendant for more ceiling height
The semi-flush pendant create more intrigue in this landing(Image credit: Limelace)
The only problem with flush lighting is that it can sometimes lack a little of the design drama that pendant lights offer as a hallway idea. The compromise? Semi-flush lighting.
Semi-flush lighting still doesn't have the lengthy flexes of pendant lighting, but they protrude a little more from the ceiling, allowing for more decorative, interesting designs. Spotlights tend to be semi-flush, giving you options for directional, accent lighting too.
6. Highlight doors and windows with specialist fittings
Thanks to the industrial-style pendant used in this stairwell, the black details of both the window and staircase are highlighted(Image credit: K'Arte Design)
To add another level of interest and depth to your landing area, it makes sense to use your lighting scheme to draw the eye towards certain details – and windows and doors in particular can benefit here.
"Recess miniature uplighters (such as John Cullen's Lucca 30 uplights) into window sills or floors to highlight window reveals and door frames," suggests Hazel Park.
In this landing space, the design of the light picks up on the window details and staircase design to tie the whole scheme together.
Nordlux Cylde 4 Arm Ceiling Light
Love the industrial look here? Take a look at this contemporary chandelier from John Lewis which features a built-in 'Moodmaker' function which allows you to control the level of light.
7. Cosy the space up with side lamps
The addition of a table lamp and sideboard in this landing space, designed by Claire Garner Interiors, adds a cosy, homely feel(Image credit: Claire Garner Interiors)
There is not one space in the home that won't benefit from a side lamp or two – landings included. Not only do they add instant warmth and character, but they can also be chosen to complement the decor and to bring gloomy corners to life.
It is a good idea to use floor and table lamps as part of a wider layered lighting scheme.
"Introduce mood lighting with dimmable table lamps, wall sconces or pendants for an ambient evening light," advises Hazel Park.
As a side note, do consider lamps for your kitchen lighting ideas – they are great for task lighting.
Azure 47cm Table Lamp Base
For a laid-back, nautical look on your landing, this wicker lamp base is just the thing. It has a slightly distressed look which helps give the design a relaxed feel that would suit a neutral landing scheme perfectly.
Night Lake Table Lamp
The perfect landing lamp for any time of day, this stand-out lamp features a beautifully peaceful design that depicts a nighttime lakeside setting. The cream shade comes included.
MiniSun Modern Cement Lamp
If it is a sophisticated look you are after but are reluctant to empty your savings pot then this is the lamp for you. It features a classic cement-effect base and comes complete with a grey shade – all for under £40.
8. Drop a pendant lighting over the stairwell
The coloured glass in this pendant fits well with the neutral decor around it(Image credit: Original BTC)
If you can't resist a dramatic dropped pendant light for your landing, one idea for making it work is to drop it over your stairwell. Whether this is at the top of the stairs or over the central volume of your staircase design, this ensures that the pendant isn't in a place where anyone needs to walk.
This beautiful cluster design from Original BTC just wouldn't work overhead on a landing, but by re-locating the light in between the landing and the next flight of stairs, it's possible to drop it lower and make a real design feature of it.
9. Illuminate your skylights and landing windows
As night falls, lights set within window openings on the landing will create a soft glow(Image credit: K'Arte Design)
Landings can be gloomy old places, devoid of natural light in many cases, so ceiling glazing and rooflights, as well as roof lanterns and sun tunnels, are all brilliant ways to bring light into the space – but how about when it comes to artificial light sources?
There are actually a few ways that your light fittings can turn your natural sources of light into features in their own right.
"Contour LED strips could be introduced into skylights for an indirect glow at night," suggests Hazel Park.
10. Pick the right wall lights for narrow landings
This classic wall light complements the rich green colour drenching of the surrounding walls, doors and radiator(Image credit: Dar Lighting)
The same principle that applies to pendant lights also needs to be thought of for wall lights on a landing. In a narrow space, wall lights should be as close to the wall as possible to avoid you and your family knocking into them.
If you do choose to use more decorative wall lights on your landing, consider their placement. Putting them over occasional furniture, or even radiators, can help avoid knocks and ground them in your space.
11. Use stair lights for safety and style
Lights make it easier to navigate the stairs at night without having to turn all your fittings on(Image credit: K'Arte Design)
When it comes to your staircase lighting ideas, do bear in mind that stair lights are a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, from a safety perspective they make it easy to walk up and down the stairs in the night without having to turn on all the main lights. Secondly, they add architectural interest to your stairs and, thirdly, they can highlight smaller details, such as designer stair rods or a beautiful stair runner.
These neat little lights sit within the skirting and draw attention to the elegant brass rods and braided runner.
12. Tie in lighting materials with surrounding hardware
Stylish wall lights should be placed strategically to guide the route along the landing(Image credit: Chaunceys Timber Flooring)
Wall lights work really well in corridors, in hallways and on landings – as well as when lighting low ceilings. They can be spaced out in such a way to ensure each twist, turn or corner is well-lit and yet are usually pretty discreet, making them perfect for narrow areas.
The smart brass wall lights here look perfect against the taupe wall panelling and tie in well with the choice of door hardware too.
13. Add a luxury touch with mirrored light fittings
For a luxe look, pick light fittings with some decorative flourishes(Image credit: Luxxu)
If you want to obtain an opulent, luxury look on your landing then you need to think through the materials you use for your lights carefully – certain finishes make it easier to achieve a luxe look than others.
Choose mirrored fittings, those with metallic details and even consider a little crystal if you want to make a real statement.
The lights on this landing really steal the limelight with both their size as well as their extravagant design. Elsewhere the decor has been kept muted to tone the whole space down visually.
14. Focus on a high ceiling with an oversized pendant
The elegant mouldings of the ceiling here have been highlighted by the choice of light fitting(Image credit: Soho Lighting Co.)
If you are lucky enough to have a high ceiling on your landing, ensure you make the most of it by choosing light fittings that do it justice.
Rather that just scattering the ceiling with an unimaginative grid of downlights, splash out on an oversized pendant that is big enough to wash the entire space with light, then supplement it with some side lamps.
This beautiful glass pendant, from The Soho Lighting Co., features four individual bulbs, while the glass shade lets light shine out freely.
15. Create a chandelier with multiple dropped pendants
These dropped pendants can be grouped together to create a striking feature(Image credit: Matt Clayton c/o Xul Architecture)
If you have a wide staircase with a central light well, a tiered chandelier can be used to create not only a bold staircase lighting idea, but also offer practical lighting across the different storeys of your home.
While some retailers offer stairwell lighting that'll meet most briefs, for an extra large stairwell across multiple storeys, you may have to look into bespoke options for this landing lighting idea.
16. A statement pendant for a vaulted landing
The light bounces around the glass of this chandelier as well as the surrounding vaulted ceiling(Image credit: Welsh Oak Frame)
If space allows, an oversized statement pendant light is the perfect idea for the top of the stairs. This lofty, open landing in this oak frame home by Welsh Oak Frame demanded a chandelier to fit the proportions of the pitched roof, but has been paired with some more practical lighting in this landing area too – the perfect lighting idea for vaulted ceilings.
17. Accent lighting can be effective for contemporary landings
The lighting in this landing highlights the texture in the exposed brick(Image credit: John Cullen Lighting)
Lighting on a landing can be both decorative and functional. You don't need specific task lighting for a hallway, so accent lighting can be used to not only draw attention to art and the architecture of the space, but also provide enough lighting for using the landing at night time.
Uplights, spotlights or downlights are all effective for accent lighting. Consider their placement carefully though. While downlights might usually be used in the middle of the ceiling, in this design by John Cullen Lighting, they've been used at the edges, creating dramatic shapes on the walls.
18. Simple downlights might just be enough
Downlights can eliminate shadows and make a space feel more open(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
In certain instances, downlights are all the lighting you need for a landing. This modern self build, which has a raised platform landing open to the ground floor, is perfectly well lit during the daytime thanks to large windows and rooflights, while during the evening, it benefits from the ambient light from the ground floor lighting fixtures too.
Simple, unobtrusive downlights offer practical lighting for getting to bed in the evening, and even for jobs like cleaning the glass balustrades, while preserving the clean lines of this modern landing.
FAQs
What is the best way to light a staircase?
The way in which you light a staircase should depend on its design and how much natural light it receives.
While pendant lights and wall lights are both good ways to illuminate stairs from above, don't forget to consider low-level lighting.
Stair lights can either be recessed into the walls or moulding running alongside the stairs themselves or, if you want a quick and easy solution, you can buy stick-on, motioned-sensor LED lights that are battery powered.
STAR-SPANGLED Motion Sensor Lights
Perfect if you want an affordable and non-disruptive way to add lights to your staircase, this set of three LED lights have an adhesive backing and can be stuck wherever needed. They throw out a good amount of bright light, are battery powered and come on when human motion is detected.
As part of your new lighting scheme, take time to check out some hall, stairs and landing ideas to ensure you are making the most of these often wasted spaces.
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Natasha was Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and was a member of the Homebuilding team for over two decades. In her role on Homebuilding & Renovating she imparted her knowledge on a wide range of renovation topics, from window condensation to renovating bathrooms, to removing walls and adding an extension. She continues to write for Homebuilding on these topics, and more. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she also writes for a number of other homes titles, including Homes & Gardens and Ideal Homes. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project.
