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- Outdoor
- Garden Lighting
- Step Lighting
Step Lighting
Lighting can set the mood and tone in a space especially outdoor. More and more homeowners and businesses are seeing the importance of outdoor lighting.
There are number of ways to create that illuminance with indirect and direct light. For example, these step lights in gardens, deck, balconies, and stairwells create an intimate atmosphere by casting pools of light on the surrounding walls or on the concrete pathway itself.
If you are someone new to lighting decor, step lighting is a series of shallow steps with a light at their base which are installed along walkways and can be left in place even in winter because they are recessed to the wall or ground. You will definitely enjoy the extra foot-level light provided by step lights.
Having step lighting in place is particularly beneficial for safety too. They make it easy to see your feet in the dark and to avoid stumbling. This type of outdoor lighting is well suited for elderly people, handicapped people, or anyone who must walk in the dark.
There are different types of step lights that you can consider depending on the space you are lighting. Find out more about them below.
Benefits of Step Lights
Extend the use of your outdoor space
Good lighting makes every step outside even better. Whether you have a front yard or a backyard, there's no greater place to relax, entertain and explore. Well-lit outdoor space sets the tone for extraordinary experiences in your own front or backyard.
Increase the value of your property
Adding garden lighting like step lights improves the way your outdoor area looks. They beautify the pathway to your entrance, so it appears attractive to guests and potential homebuyers. They make the house more inviting.
Safety and security
Burglaries are one of the most common hazards to a house. That's why crime prevention and security are two of the main reasons for having outdoor lighting.
Lighting up your walkways also creates a safer environment. Step lights can help highlight the potential tripping hazards and defining the border of the path you and your guests are walking on.
Enhance Aesthetic
Some may argue that lighting in your garden or outdoor area isn't necessary, and for many, it isn't. The main reason for this could be that many individuals are already satisfied with the amount of natural sunlight their garden receives during the day.
But why not highlight these outdoor spaces with some garden step lights or deck step lights after the sun goes down to draw attention to them? You can capture the nighttime beauty of your swimming pool or water feature with step lights around it.
Step LED Lights
LED lights are small and can go into lamps, chandeliers, and ceiling fans instead of using big bulbs. You can always see the light coming out even when it's in the dark.
If you compare it to traditional lights, it offers a number of benefits: they're durable, inexpensive, and produce very little heat. They can be used in almost any lighting application, including decorative illumination just like what we have in our collection for pathway, deck, patio, and step lighting. LED lights have shown that they're a versatile light source, and as the technology continues to improve and prices fall, it's likely that LEDs will become one of the most common types of light bulbs in the next decade.
Garden Step Lights
Your gardens is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. But after the sun sets, navigating your outdoor space can become a challenge. By installing lights along your garden's pathways and steps, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
You’re not only creating garden lighting but you’re also enhancing the beauty of this outdoor space so you can enjoy it after a tiring day at work. Whether you want to highlight a stunning flower bed, illuminate a winding path, or simply provide a safer way to move around in the dark, garden step lights or deck step lighting can make a big difference.
Attractive Outdoor Step Lighting Ideas
Without a doubt, you can use stairs or step lights to liven up your backyard while also thinking of safety. You can even create a high-end outdoor stair lighting designs. For some great ideas on how to light your garden and deck at night, read them below and make your neighbors jealous by installing one on your property.
Idea #1: Having stone steps or brick walls, add Edelstein Eyelid AC Exterior Brass Step Light onto the wall of every other level to create a series of wall-mounted lights. With the downward-focused shades and warm glow, it casts enough light without overpowering. You can be sure that it looks striking with the lights spilling out the steps and you will see how enjoying your garden at night.
For more modern appeal, you can have Bly Recessed Black LED Square Step Light or Zac Rectangular White Recessed Light on the concrete wall of the steps. They both give off a soft glow directed downwards.
Idea #2: If you have a pool area that includes steps to the deck or patio, light them up for safety and to give the whole area an aesthetic appeal. Our Round Steel Wall and Inground Light is perfect for that as it is intended to be used for outdoor floors.
Install them on the step riser or the vertical space between one step and another. Place the lights evenly spaced to also illuminate the area around them, but not excessively so. The soft downward lighting gives the steps a little extra sparkle that it isn’t distracting.
Idea #3: You can make your own garden step lighting solution by mounting these simple LED lights, You Round White Recessed LED Step Light, drilled holes in a hardwood deck, porch, or patio for beautiful accent lighting. This is suitable for those who love to DIY.
Idea #4: Bertland White Plain Brick Wall Light is a great choice for a stone pathway with high-end, contemporary style. It produces direct warm colour temperature light, so it appears like “lighted bricks.” Having this for your step lighting in an outdoor stairway garden provides a simple and elegant way to light your pathway at night.
Idea #5: Another option for your modern, family-friendly home is to mount the Felix Black Solar Wall Light with Switch to a fence. You will definitely love its minimalist approach but classy look feel for your stair lighting while also providing a safe walkway.
Idea #6: Your outdoor stairs on your elevated deck or patio appear to be steep, and people might trip if they are not careful. Zone 2W White Recessed LED Steplight when placed between the vertical space of the hardwood stairs, offers well-lit steps that appear stylish. It will provide plenty of extra light for the staircase while also ensuring safety for your guests and family members. You will see how this step lighting looks practical without taking up space.
Idea #7: This one can be modest but it is perfect for homeowners with patios that are right up against the garden or lawn. Install Astro White Wall Light in the vertical portion of each step. The lights will illuminate only the floor, creating a soft glow that doesn't detract from any other lighting within the space.
5 Things You Should Know Before Buying Step Lights
Size & Shape
There are all sorts of step lights! Some are designed to fit perfectly in a standard power outlet gang box and so is the size of a power outlet cover plate. Others come with alternate face plates to allow the user to install them either vertically or horizontally, according to the gang box or electrical box. Another common shape is a brick-sized step light. These are common outdoors but work inside as well.
Some other interesting options are small, circular step lights, LED tape or rope (often used to run under railings), and path lights that get staked into the ground. Now that you're familiar with the different shapes and sizes, consider what might work best for you.
Types of Installation
The most important thing is to know what kind of installations you can perform in your space when you’re choosing which step lights to buy.
You have the usual option which is the surface-mounted step lights. Surface-mounted lights sit on flat surfaces like walls. So step lights specifically mounted to the wall are also called wall-mounted. You can see the application of the light fixture in the technical description on our product pages.
But if you are wondering if you can add step lights to an existing concrete then the answer here is YES. You will find plenty of recessed step lights to fill that need. But how do you install step lights on concrete? You might need to consider getting the experts involved in this project so they can put their expertise to work for you. You can also opt for solar-powered step lights that don’t require wiring if this installation would be convenient for you. You’re always welcome to contact us in case you have questions about the installation of the light fixture you are eyeing for.
Recessed or Surfaced Mounted
If you want step lights, you may have to choose surface-mounted ones. This means you won't have to cut holes in the wall, and you can screw them straight onto the surface. This isn't always a bad thing because later down the track you won't need to find an exact cutout size for replacement if that model is no longer available.
Recessed LED step lights, on another good note, look neater and more attractive as they're flush with the wall. But before purchasing a recessed type of light, make sure to check if it's possible to have recessed ones if the house is not brand new. Concerning the light they produce, it is mostly for aesthetic purposes and practical benefits such as avoiding tripping or falling on your walkways.
Material
Consider the kind of environment you have when choosing outdoor lighting. For durability and for your own peace of mind, choose a solid brass or 316-grade stainless steel and polycarbonate material for its rigidity.
Here's our high performing recessed step light with a 316 marine grade stainless steel finish, Hyams Stainless Steel Recessed Wall and Step Light with Eyelid. And if you go for a wall-mounted one, that's our Coolangatta Stainless Steel Round Wall and Step Light.
IP Rating
IP ratings tell you what environment a lighting fixture will suit. Make sure that the step lights you will choose can withstand heavy rains and other elements outdoors. Always remember, your step lights must have a higher IP rating so they would be great for lighting up your garden or deck.
How many step lights do I need?
If people walk on a set of stairs in the dark and don't see the changes in height, they can trip and fall. We want to make it easier for them so it's important that every tread is lit. This can be done by using a board wash of light across approximately 3 treads or by lighting every tread individually.
But still, the answer to this question depends on how wide your steps are, how many steps you have in each location, and whether or not the stairs are enclosed.
If you are looking for garden step lights, then you are in the right place. Or maybe you need to replace an old fixture, which has been broken and useless all summer long? At Zest Lighting, you can find a wide selection of the best step lights we have selected for our customers.