Stair Lights
Stairs need two kinds of light and most houses only get one. A chandelier fills the vertical space and makes the entry look finished; sconces along the climb are what actually let you see the treads at night.
Chandeliers, sconces and mounting heights
The chandelier
For the drop itself, see staircase chandeliers - spiral, tiered and multi-ring designs built for two and three-storey wells, with the hanging heights explained.
Sconces along the climb
Mount wall sconces roughly 60 to 66 inches above the stair nosing, one every three or four steps, or one per landing. Pick a shade that throws light downward rather than outward, so the treads are lit and the person climbing them is not.
Landings and turns
A half-landing is the most-missed spot in the house. One sconce or a small flush mount there removes the dark step that causes most falls.
See also wall sconces, flush mount ceiling lights and foyer light fixtures.
