Hello everyone:

I hang out at the kitchen / decorating forums and didn't realize there is a forum strictly for lighting. I'm so glad I found it. I am in a 2 story house for the first time. We have an interior staircase to the 2nd floor. It has walls on both sides and is a straight shot up (no landing). It has NO lighting. I would like to use sconces but it would be an expensive ordeal to get wiring into the walls so we are going to have to use a hanging light fixture. I have NO idea how low it should hang. It's obvious it must not hang too low..but is there a guide or standard for this? Is there a standard for size? I can imagine some fixtures would look too skimpy and I don't want that either. Also should it be centered within the area of the staircase? Currently it's a long dark tunnel and not safe at night. Any help or advice would truly be appreciated. Thanks.