No, it’s not a requirement to place a light on every step; it’s up to personal preference, safety considerations, and practicality. You may want a light on every step if they are far apart to ensure that every step is visible and not a potential falling hazard. However, if you already have outdoor lighting and want to enhance its aesthetic appeal, you could spread out the lights as you please.
Typically, step lights are placed 12 to 18 inches above the tread surface to ensure they illuminate the step without causing excessive glare or shadows. However, it’s up to you to choose the proper height to prevent glares, create the right lighting effect, and have the step lighting design you had in mind.
Installing lights in existing concrete steps requires additional planning and steps to get it right. You’ll need to mark drill holes where you want to place the lights and then drill holes into the concrete to install the anchors or mounting hardware and the lights.
To install step lighting, you’ll need to acquire all the necessary materials, splice your low-voltage wires, connect them to your lights, bury them, and put them along the wall where you want them. Check out our install guide for a more in-depth guide to installing low-voltage landscape lighting.
Look for outdoor‑rated, sealed fixtures with appropriate IP ratings for splash/rain exposure. Use waterproof connectors and keep splices out of standing water.
They should be placed 6 to 8 feet apart along your staircases or railings.


























