This is the question we get asked most often, and the answer is almost always lower than people expect. Stair lighting doesn't need to hit every step, and too much light actually makes a staircase more dangerous.
The short answer: every two or three steps
Lighting every step looks restless and is rarely necessary. Every two steps creates a sleek, rhythmic look and enough light to walk safely. Every three steps also works fine, especially on a long, straight staircase, and saves a third in costs.
A typical staircase in a home has thirteen to sixteen steps. That amounts to:
- Every two steps — 6 to 8 light points
- Every three steps — 4 to 5 light points
Always start at the bottom with the first point, not at the top. The bottom steps are the ones where you first place your foot in the dark.
On which side?
For a straight staircase: always on the same side. Alternating left and right might look playful in a drawing, but in reality, you'd be seeing alternating halves of the step, which is harder to read.
For a spiral staircase or quarter turn: follow the outer curve. That's where the steps are widest and where you place your foot. On the inside, the steps are narrowest and light is of little use.
For a staircase against a wall, the wall side is the logical choice, simply because there's something to mount there.
At what height?
Approximately 15 to 20 cm above the step where the light should fall. Lower and you'll only illuminate the nose of the step; higher and the light will be in the sightline of anyone walking up the stairs.
More important than the exact measurement is that all points are at the same height above their step. A line of light points that runs neatly parallel to the stairs looks tidy; a two-centimeter deviation immediately stands out.
How much light per point?
Little. Our modules are between 1.5 and 3 watts and provide 90 to 150 lumens. That sounds like nothing compared to a 400-lumen ceiling spot, and that's exactly right.
Too much light on a staircase is counterproductive. Your eye adjusts to the brightest point in the image; if that's the light source itself, you'll actually see the edge of the step less clearly. The goal is not to illuminate the staircase, but to outline the steps.
What exactly do you need per point?
With the Trevo system, each light point consists of two components:
- A base unit — the recessed light that disappears into the wall or riser. €14.95 for the 1.5W CCT version, €23.95 for the 3W RGBW version.
- A cover plate — the visible finish that determines the direction of the light. €13.95, in eight shapes and three colors.
So, seven light points mean seven base units and seven cover plates. Expect to pay about €29 per point.
You don't need to buy a driver. The modules work directly on 230 volts, so you don't have to calculate how many watts fit on one transformer, and there's no extra box behind your riser.
Which cover plate should you choose?
That depends on where the light needs to go:
- Light downwards — the light falls straight down onto the step. The safest choice and the most commonly used.
- Light backwards — a solid edge with light coming from all around behind it. Softer, more ambiance than function.
- 360 degrees — light along all four edges. Looks beautiful in a sleek, modern staircase.
- Light in the middle — a vertical light slot. Graphic, stands out.
- Beam 60 degrees — directed light, useful if the step is far from the light point.
The cover plate slides off without tools. If you're in doubt, start with light downwards — you can change it later without drilling again.
What if you don't want to switch manually?
Then the Steno steplight is an alternative: it has a built-in motion sensor, switches on with movement within 8 meters and switches off automatically after about 30 seconds. For the Trevo system, you place a separate motion or twilight sensor in the power supply, before the first module.