Attention! Sunken Family Room! (flooring, painting, installed, cabinet)

[Shwa]

We have a sunken family room (one step down) and have concerns about visitors not seeing the step down and falling. There have been some close calls and I'm trying to figure out a solution. Should we put lights on/near the floor (like at the movies or on airplanes? and, if so, how??) Does anyone have any other suggestions? We just want people to see the step down without painting bright yellow stripes on the floor!!!

[southgeorgia]

Print and hang

[Fleet]

As you said, I would go with lighting. Maybe mounted on a wall directed down at the step.

[Fighter 1]

Originally Posted by Fleet

As you said, I would go with lighting. Maybe mounted on a wall directed down at the step.

Have seen enlargement of top step ,then put small strip lighting under step, same as under cabinet lights . Worked well as a night light also.

[T. Damon]

As an architectural designer one of the first things that we learn is that you NEVER design a one step down transition from room to room. It is very difficult to visually discern that small of a change in elevation unless paying undue close attention to it. It is extremely dangerous if the floor materials are the same. Since you already have the configuration I would suggest a different flooring material at the tread or tread and landing. Also as others have noted is never to have it unlit by at the very least a close by night light.

[texdav]

This was auite common in many older very expensive homes i the past. What i have always seen was that they installed lighting on the steps and that the flooring was verey different on the riase and the lower floor. Also very commn to see handrails in the middle of the step down to draw attention.;besides each end/