Just my first impression, but, I would go for a couple recessed lights at least. If you don't need them, then you wouldn't have to turn them on, but if you decide you wish you had more light, that would be a problem. I don't know if I would like that many sconces, either. I mean sconces arent meant to light the way, although they can. I rather like them as kinda accents. Just my two cents.

Well, first I would check the building code to see what is required. I think you should add recessed lighting. My son has a three story home. He has four sconce per flight of stairs, and recessed lighting over the landing. He can use either one or both. I think you can see to clean better with the recessed lighting but the sconce is ideal for mood lighting. Even if you don't use the recessed lighting all that much at least you have the wiring if you want something different down the road.

I have only sconces in my hallway - two in a hallway perhaps 12-ft long, with white walls and ceiling. The sconces take halogen bulbs and throw off a huge amount of light - I certainly wouldn't need recessed lighting too.

In the next house we build, I want sconces only in the halls. I was inspired to do so after visiting a hotel that had sconces only in the halls. There was of course plenty of light.

Sue, we have three double lighted sconces on our stairway and it's more than enough lighting. Hubby was worried because they aim upward. We too have light walls. I love the look. Our home is a Victorian Revival so I wanted it too look like an old home that has grown over the years and with the ice cream looking light bulbs, sorry brain freeze, that come on slow it gives the feel of gas lighting coming on.

We have only sconces in our 24' long hallway and the sconces alternate on each side, about 9' apart. We use only incandescent light in them and they're aimed up.

Justgotabme- How do you get your lights to come on slowly? I would love that! Is it the bulb? -sorry to hijack-

I would think sconce lighting would be adequate, but building codes, as mentioned, may require something else. I am not sure I would like all the sconces on one wall, tho - I think at night the lighting would feel imbalanced.

Thanks for the responses. I have no idea what building codes require but my architect will know. The problem is that I want the house to keep the old-house feel even though the upstairs will be all new construction. So recessed cans don't really fit that concept. I suppose I could do a couple of overhead fixtures that aren't recessed cans, but I just really like sconces. Good points about not having them all on one wall, but on the opposite wall there are a lot of doorways and the opening to the stairs, so I'm not sure if there's even a logical place on the opposite wall to place a fixture. I'll take another look at the plans, and next week I'm taking my first "field trip" down to the house to walk through and see the progress in person! They have most of the upstairs walls up, and the roof is going on this week.