Motion-Sensing Stair Lights

Video Tutorial

Why Build This?

Safety first - Never stumble on dark stairs again, lights activate automatically
Energy efficient - Only uses power when needed (seconds at a time)
Looks professional - Way cooler than a standard light switch
Easy retrofit - Works with existing stairs, no major construction
Customizable - Choose your colors, brightness, and timing

Materials Needed

Item	Approx. Cost	Buy
LED strip lights (12V, 16ft)	$10	Amazon
PIR motion sensor (2-pack)	$8	Amazon
12V power adapter	$5	Amazon
Wire connectors	$2	Lowe's Amazon

Tools Required:

Wire strippers
Scissors
Drill (if mounting in wood)
Cable clips or stapler

Build Instructions

Plan Your Layout

Measure your stairs and determine where to place sensors (typically top and bottom) and how many LED strips you'll need. Most stairs need one strip per step.

Cut and Position LED Strips

Cut LED strips to length (they have cut marks every few inches). Position them under the nose of each stair tread. Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol first for better adhesion.

Wire LEDs in Parallel

Connect all LED strips together using wire connectors, maintaining positive to positive and negative to negative. This allows them all to light up together.

Install Motion Sensors

Mount PIR sensors at top and bottom of stairs (about 3ft high). Wire them in parallel so either sensor can trigger the lights. Adjust sensitivity and delay timing.

Connect Power Supply

Wire the sensors to interrupt the positive line between the power adapter and LEDs. When motion is detected, sensors complete the circuit and lights turn on.

Secure All Wiring

Use cable clips or a staple gun to secure all wires along baseboards or under stair treads. Make sure nothing is a trip hazard.

Test and Adjust

Test from both top and bottom. Adjust sensor sensitivity (usually a dial on the sensor) and delay time (how long lights stay on after motion stops).

💡 Pro Tips

Color choice - Warm white (2700K) is best for home stairs, cool white works for basement/garage
Brightness - Start with lower brightness and increase if needed. You want enough to see, not blinding
Sensor placement - Mount sensors so they detect motion before someone reaches the stairs, not at the first step
Waterproofing - Use IP65 rated strips for outdoor stairs or basements with moisture
Advanced option - Add an Arduino to create chase/fade effects where lights turn on sequentially as you walk

← Browse More Cheap Tech Projects