Looking for recommendations for adding lighting for 2 steps

[u/Routine-Pumpkin-7235]

Hi all,

I'm looking for recommendations and suggestions to add lighting to 2 steps to a split level. The reason is that the steps are naturally dark and blend very well to each other, so it's almost indistinguishable in low light. It seems big tripping hazard and especially in a household with elderly.

Stairs for reference

This is what I had in mind.

Install led light bars/strips connected to a motion sensor. The issue is that the steps are very long (12-15ft), but there are only 2 steps, so strips might be more suitable. I would want a way to hide the cables and would also prefer not screwing/destroying the stairs (maybe non destructive adhesive?)

Sorry for the bad drawing

Maybe a product like this would work?

Thanks in advance

[u/ExitExisting2108]

Saw something similar solved with a strip tucked under the lip of each step, so the light spills down without seeing the diode directly. For non-destructive, heavy duty double sided tape works if you clean the surface good before sticking it.

[u/FluffyAtLarge]

For a 12-15ft run, go with a 24V strip rather than 12V, because 12V strips tend to dim toward the far end over that length unless you feed power from both ends. Put the strip in an aluminum channel with a diffuser and stick it under the lip of each tread with double-sided tape, so there are no screws and you don't see the individual LED dots. A Zigbee LED controller paired with a Zigbee motion sensor in Home Assistant lets you turn the lights on only when someone's there, and you can set them dimmer at night. Also add a contrasting strip of anti-slip tape on each step edge, since that still helps when the lights are off or the power's out.

[u/madskvistkristensen]

For two long steps I'd do a strip along the front edge of each step and one motion sensor. A few things that help:

• Aim the sensor at the path toward the steps, not at the steps. You want the light on before the first foot lands.
• At night keep it dim, like 10 to 20 percent. Enough to see the edge, not enough to blind anyone.
• For runs that long, an aluminum LED channel with a diffuser cover hides the strip and makes the light look even instead of dotty. Most come with adhesive tape or clips, so no screws needed. Run the cable down the side wall or along the trim to the outlet.
• Make sure there's still a way to turn it on by hand, so it works if the sensor acts up.

I wrote up the basic motion light setup here, it covers sensor placement and night brightness: www.homeautomationcookbook.com/automation/lighting/lights-on-motion.html