Between two of my rooms I have a height difference of about 4cm. What is an obvious but subtle way to mark the marble floor so the step is obvious, and help to prevent tripping?
I'm thinking of using mini battery-operated LED lights.
By the way in case anyone is curious that step leads to the kitchen and there are necessary pipes underneath it. Hence the raised floor.
That is one tricky step you have!
I suggest you install a contrastive colored riser/toe kick and nosing. Something to alert the peripheral vision of a change in height.
The other option I would consider would be a minimalist, one-step handrail.
Really curious to see how you solve this.
Good luck!
I wouldn't have an overhang on that step first of all. Then I would change the color of the first row of the top step - could also at the same time make the cuts so it doesn't hang over.
If that isn't doable - signage.
Completely different idea so I wanted to separate to a new answer. Stage the sides to make it more of a transition between rooms. There may already be features like this I can't tell from the one photo. Without trying to degrade the house or look tacky but imagine you're trying to make it look like an add-on. You could put false pillars on the walls to make it feel more like a doorway/transition. You could add an arch to the top with or w/o the sides. You could have curtain/drapes that are always pulled to the side. For obvious but subtle; one way or another you want to emphasize that it is a transition and there happens to be a step there instead of "hey look at this step." "STEP" in flashing red lights and someone will still miss it, aim at the 90% that pays attention to transitions not the 10%.
If this property is used for commercial purposes, make sure you use some sort of sign and/or hand rail; check what is legally required for you to not be at fault for negligence.
Adding lights is probably more than enough, but might be objectionable to some occupants for aesthetic reasons.
Anyway, this is a long term hazard and anything battery operated is short term. Of course the lights could be house powered and unless your power is unreliable, that is probably good enough.
A better solution is to increase the contrast. Since both surfaces are light colored, maybe a 5 or 8 cm (2 or 3 inch) black strip across the upper edge would provide enough warning? Maybe prototype it with black duct tape or several strips of electrical tape?
If you're only worried about the step-up direction, create some contrast by darkening the vertical face under the lip. As a prototype, some black tape would work. If it looked good, then you could paint it.
Subtle: Get clear or color matching traction pad to span 80-100% of the width; use less than 100% to make a nice 1-2 inch border left,right,&front of the step. The traction pad will subconsciously remind your mind there is a step there whether you see it or feel it. If you're more worried about night time, they have some with a mild nite-glow/glow-in-the-dark. It's not going to illuminate the room, just a subtle glow that you'll barely notice otherwise; again, just enough for you to subconsciously know it is there.
I am adding a second answer since we did this on my steps. We used stick night lights - no electricity needed. They had a motion sensor. You would just have to play with the motion sensor so that it came on when you wanted.
